Barbara Pym: "Excellent women" in English - starting date: 13 March

  • Here we go!


    This is where you sign up for the English-speaking discussion on Barbara Pym's novel "Excellent women" starting on 13 March.


    Amazon review:


    An unqualifiedly great novel from the writer most likely to be compared to Jane Austen, this is a very funny, perfectly written book that can rival any other in its ability to capture the essence of its characters on the page. Mildred Lathbury, the narrator of Pym's excellent book is a never-married woman in her 30s--which in 1950s England makes her a nearly-confirmed spinster. Hers is a pretty unexciting life, centered around her small church, and part-time job. But Mildred is far more perceptive and witty than even she seems to think, and when Helena and Rockingham Napier move into the flat below her, there seems to be a chance for her life to take a new direction.


    (Why Barbara Pym? this is why, and this ;-) )


    - MaryRead
    - Muffin
    - Geli
    - Batcat
    - Pelican
    - kahlan
    - Beatrix
    - Lemmi
    - Solas

    Surround yourself with human beings, my dear James. They are easier to fight for than principles. (Ian Fleming, Casino Royale)

    Dieser Beitrag wurde bereits 8 Mal editiert, zuletzt von MaryRead ()

  • Thank you, Mary Read, for starting the thread about the book discussion. I like to join the group :wave


    Edit: My library owns this book, so I can have a look before, if my english is good enough.

  • My dear pirate sister, how could I forget you! :knuddel1
    I just wanted to hear your lovely voice again, that's all! :grin


    (And don't worry, all these excellent women here will wave the book in your face in time! ;-) )

    Surround yourself with human beings, my dear James. They are easier to fight for than principles. (Ian Fleming, Casino Royale)

  • The comparison to Jane Austen reads quite tempting, but I´ll go to India on the 14th of March.
    It´s really a pity to miss the first "Leserunde"in English.
    "leo.org" doesn´t have any translation and "Babelfish" suggests "Read Round",which I can´t believe to be an expression used in the English language.


    @ Mary Read,is there a word or an expression in English ?


    Anyway I hope you´ll enjoy your reading and discussion of "Excellent women"

  • I can't translate but I would suggest "book club discussion" for "Leserunde".


    Count me in - and remind me in time. I'm not really thrilled about the chosen title but then it might just surprise me.

    Gruss aus Calgary, Canada
    Beatrix


    "Well behaved women rarely make history" -- Laura Thatcher Ulrich

  • I must admit that I have not enough time to join the first reading circle in english here. My reading-heart has chosen "Magyk" here.


    But I hope you enjoy it and I`ll read your comments with great interest :-)


    :wave
    Ikarus

  • buttercup


    That's a shame... but you can always read the book later and add your comments, of course.


    "Book club discussion" sounds good to me. I have to admit that I waited until Beatrix found a word for it before I attempted to call our "Leserunde" anything in English... :-] I've looked around a bit on English-speaking boards but drawn a blank so far. I'm sure "read round" does not exist. :lache

    Surround yourself with human beings, my dear James. They are easier to fight for than principles. (Ian Fleming, Casino Royale)

  • I like "book club discussion" that sound so sophisticated :-)
    I can imagine the owls sitting in cosy leather chairs, drinking tea or port in their book club discussing a good book.


    Beatrix , I didn´t mean to pass you over, when I asked MaryRead about the translation of "Leserunde" :knuddel1

  • Zitat

    Original von Muffin
    Should I risk to read one site or two? :gruebel


    If you read a few pages and you like it, you'll be lost for the discussion in March...
    If you read a few pages and you don't like it, we won't be looking forward to the discussion anymore...


    :bruell so don't you dare! :lache

    Surround yourself with human beings, my dear James. They are easier to fight for than principles. (Ian Fleming, Casino Royale)

  • Zitat

    Original von Muffin
    Should I risk to read one site or two? :gruebel


    OK, there is an example where I really like to correct mistakes. My suggestion for this process: I don't say anything unless
    - somebody asks for help
    - the mistake will make the expression not understandable for an Anglophone person


    Here is a typical example with a mistake that Germans will still understand but nobody outside Germany. A "site" is a geographic place. You cannot read that. You want to read a "page" which is indeed a piece of paper.

    Gruss aus Calgary, Canada
    Beatrix


    "Well behaved women rarely make history" -- Laura Thatcher Ulrich

    Dieser Beitrag wurde bereits 1 Mal editiert, zuletzt von Beatrix ()