Crampton Hodnet (Virago Modern Classics) Paperback – 2 Jun. 2022

I've enjoyed Barbara Pym's novels for years but, oddly, only just read Crampton Hodnet. I surprised myself by frequently laughing out loud. In my view this early work is not as subtly drafted as Excellent Women or A Glass of Blessings, the plot is largely implausible and the characters more stereotypical than individual but the characters' asides, observations and reflections are frequently extremely witty and genuinely drawn from life in those pre-war times. An immensely enjoyable and gentle book that smiles benignly at the naive unworldliness of basically good people. It's a novel I shall re-read.

This is book set in middle class North Oxford. The main characters are female whose interests revolve around a new parson. The other male characters are academic. It has been described as a modern Bronte. The female characters are excellently defined and there is a strong thread of humour running through the whole book. If you enjoy female relationships there are few better books.

Loved it.

This is the last of Barbara Pym's novels edited by her sister Hazel Holt after her death. I don't know why it has only just recently been republished as I am a Pym addict and I think this is her funniest. The small lives of curates, spinsters and dons in North Oxford in the 50s are vividly presented and really very funny. Even the title is a good joke.Just the thing if you need a soothing but clever read at bedtime

I quite enjoyed this well-written book, however its subject matter is so slight that it makes little impression. I appreciated the cynical view of relationships and marriage, and the passion for gossip among the spinstery characters. Nice amusing book rather than laugh-out-loud funny. I must admit it doesn't send me rushing to read more Pym however some of the other reviews consider her other works to be better so maybe I will if I want a well-observed comedy of manners.

I've enjoyed other books by Barbara Pym, but this is an early work and not as good as the later ones. Nothing much happens, which I suppose is the point - things revolve, but return to where they were before - but the pace is slow, and although there are funny bits and acute observations they're muffled by a lot of so-so writing. If you're describing boring people you need to be a lot sharper, otherwise... On the plus side, I do like the new Virago covers!

Barbara Pym is, rightly, coming back once more into fashion. She uses gentle satire to puncture the blinkered pomposity of some of her characters, while simultaneously exploring the insights of those whose quiet lack of self- promotion might otherwise go unnoticed! Charming and funny!

This book takes you back in time. Well characterised old ladies gossiping over afternoon tea.

I have read several of Barbara Pym's books, and so far this is the best. Wry English humor, very witty!

Très drôle et intelligent...

La signorina Jessie, dama di compagnia di Miss Doggett, è il mio personaggio preferito tra quelli di Barbara Pym, perché osserva tutto con il senso dell' umorismo. Ambientato a Oxford, tra studenti e docenti che vanno a prendere il tè dall' anziana Miss Doggett: pettegolezzi e tentazioni varie. L' ironia nelle piccole cose.

The book is pleasant to read and ideal for readers loving British lifestyle.I should write another 7 words, why Amazon ?

This is Barbara Pym's first real novel, and as such is more light hearted than some of the later ones. It contains both humour and irony, as well as her usual cast of characters, from dotty dons to absent minded vicars and their wives, as well as the old maid who thinks she can run everyone else. There are some amusing incidents and some of the characters turn up in later novels - something she does quite often. Well worth reading if you like Barbara Pym.