Quartet in Autumn, A Long Way from Verona and Stars and Bars

 

I cannot remember where I found a recommendation for this author. Barbara Pym died in 1980 after a chequered career as a novelist. She had modest success between 1950 and 1963 but then her latest novel was rejected by every publisher. It was not until 1977 that "Quartet in Autumn" ended her "wilderness years" when it was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Much, much more can be found at the Barbara Pym Society.

So here they are, Marcia, Letty, Norman and Edwin, working in the same office in 1970's. The ladies are on the verge of retirement as then sixty was the age for women. The men would have to wait another five years. What is so interesting is the thoughts they have about one another. There are so many things about getting old to which I could relate. As Letty says "the slightly excessive idea that one ought to a walk of some kind every day" and later " one did not drink sherry until the evening, just as one didn't read a novel in the morning". We could agree on that.

Then "Retirement was a serious business, to be regarded with respect, though the idea of it was incomprehensible to most of the staff. It was a condition that must be studied and prepared for, certainly - "researched" they would have said". Edwin and Marcia actually owned their own houses but would be horrified at the thought of sharing with Marcia and Norman who were in bed sits. But their accommodation changes by the end of the story.

There is a sort of retirement party for the ladies before they go their separate ways. There are the odd moments that reverberate today: "the social services were so much better now, there was no need for anyone to starve or freeze" ..... "if governments failed in their duty there were always the media - continual goading on television programmes, upsetting articles in the Sunday papers and disturbing pictures in the Sunday colour supplements." No change there then. Just see the Age UK advert. Then "No wonder the NHS was in such financial trouble". It could have been written today.

The book was not all sweetness and light. There were times when it was quite upsetting. But these parts were balanced with what was essentially a gentle novel. I'm looking for another novel by this author.

Having enjoyed nearly all of Jane Gardam's novels, I went back to her first published book, not realising it was marketed for children. It is narrated by thirteen year old Jessica Vye, wise, precocious and erudite beyond her years. The book begins "I ought to tell you at the beginning that I am not quite normal, having had a violent experience at the age of nine". And she continues to speak directly to us which is what I love. So later "And now I will speed the story up, and describe only the two main episodes of this time. Both are depressing and could be skipped if you are pressed for time".

The second world war is underway but this has no effect on Cleveland Spa in the north east of England, until ..... It might be a child narrating this book but the themes are ageless and evocative of our own early years. Jessica is not everyone's cup of tea. Her parents are strange individuals so no wonder. But she is born to be a writer and sometimes her imagination carries her into real life. It's too good a story just for children.

The back cover says it's about "an Englishman in New York" but the main middle section of the book takes Henderson Dores to Luxora Beach near Atlanta: "a place of unremitting bleakness and despair". He seems, in a way, to be glad to escape from Melissa and Irene, who are unknowingly competing for Henderson's attention. "He was being driven to the brink of having to make a choice. The worst possible state of affairs".

But this is a satirical novel, full of ups and (mainly) downs for Henderson who is a pretty fragile character. "That was the great feature of reserve: it went hand in hand with regret: left you sadder but no wiser". Near Luxora Beach stands the Gage residence where Henderson has come to value some artwork. There are many farcical scenes as things go from bad to worse and back again. Chaos ensues. What I didn't like was that the book was unremittingly bleak. Even at the end.