Reading 1001 discussion

4 Stars

Although I can't totally relate with the stage of life that the characters are in, I did find them interesting, sympathetic, and I liked how it showed the different ways in which each character handled life changes and how they approached getting older.

Zombie wrote: "4 Stars

Although I can't totally relate with the stage of life that the characters are in, I did find them interesting, sympathetic, and I liked how it showed the different ways in which each char..."

I am in that stage of life and cannot relate either but I think a lot has changed. I tried to think about my grandparents who would have been at that age in the seventies. It was interesting study of aging.

This is one book I might never have read if it hadn't been for this list and the calendar challenge. The library had it only in German, I had never heard of the author, the cover wasn't appealing, and the blurp wouldn't have been either, had I read it. So I went in completely blind, was bored for a while, but recovered. It is a calm, melancholy book- autumnal, you could say. I was impressed how the author kept it this way in spite of the frequently changing points of view which could make it fast-paced or confusing. I was also impressed how loving the actually completely neutral, even distanced, characterization of these four people with all their quirks and idiosynchrasies felt when you compare it to the hateful nasty book you COULD write about them. Also, it should be depressing but is saved by a very delicate sense of humour and a sprinkle of hope. All these fine lines well navigated put me quite in awe.

I usually like books about aging. Quartet in Autumn, by Barabara Pym, is a story of four older office workers approaching retirement, two men and two women. The story is set in the seventies. The women are the first to retire. We know that one was born in 1914. She will turn 65. Since both women are retiring, both must be 65. It appears retirement is mandatory. They are retiring with just the government retirement plan. All the characters are alone; one man was previously married and now a widow. He actually is the most active of the four and obsessed with finding catholic services to attend for various saint holidays. The other man is shorter and angrier. One woman is more active, enjoys going to libraries, shopping and buying clothes. She has one lady friend. The other woman, is alone, has no friends, recently had a mastectomy and in description she is quite "odd". While I like stories about aging, this story is not fun or pleasant. I think reason for this might be that sixties really isn't old now. Another reason might be that I was a young adult in the seventies. Still, this was well done study of four single people approaching the autumn of their lives. I think it would be an excellent book to read for a discussion group.

4 stars

Barbara Pym gives us glimpses into the lives of four people - two men and two women, working together in an office, all approaching retirement, each living a solitary life. By constantly shifting points of view, she gives us insights into their own thoughts and feelings as well as those of the people they interact with - either each other or people the come into contact in their everyday lives. She shows us how our look at people is tinged with our personal expectations, how our own sense of guilt or inadequacy triggers resentment or ridicule. But also the mechanisms by which we deal with our own solitude. It is a clear eyed, yet compassionate view at humanity. Though the cast could make for a rather trist read, there is acceptance and subtle humor in this gentle tale.

4 stars

This was an interesting story about people who work together in an office and they are getting ready to retire. It was a little sad in some parts but it did end on a good note. The characters are unique and very interesting and I found Pym to be very insightful. I enjoyed her writing very much and I look forward to reading some of her other books. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys classic literature with subtle humor.

4 stars

3 stars
The quartet is two women and two men, close to retirement, in an unnamed, soon to be obsolete department of an unnamed company. Though not close, they do care about each other. Each is nervous about retirement and aging, in their individual ways. Norman is the grump, Edwin is looking for answers in religion. Letty intends to keep active, and Marcia hoards against scarcer times. All are already lonely, and all fear that getting worse.
I normally enjoy stories on aging, but I had a hard time connecting with these characters- they seemed so formal. I also was put off by the common referral of the self as "one"- it made the story impersonal. I think the potential was there for this to be really good, but it fell flat for me. I know it's not fair to compare, but Memento Mori by Muriel Spark was so much better.

**
Four rather insignificant co-workers approach retirement with its impending loneliness and the changes this new stage of life will foist unto them. This was probably the longest 186-page I have read. Everything in it felt gray, not just the protagonists'hair. Sure, the topic was worth exploring and I guess there weren't too many other ways to render the whole thing. But. It. Was. Boring. And a bit scary too: you don't want to end like these people. At least, I know I'll do better on the reading size than Letty...

Why it is included in the 1001 list: "...her subtle, gently humorous novels.... In 1977, her admirers...succeeded in attracting attention to the long-neglected novelist and {this novel} was published...to critical acclaim."

The quartet composed of four clerks that share an office: Edward, widowed, has taken up church activities, seeking out the "best" services in various establishments; Norman, a cranky old man that lives alone in a bed-sit; Letty, somewhat prim and proper, expects to share a country cottage with a widowed girlhood friend after retirement; and Marcia, an odd, unsociable woman living alone in the house inherited from her mother. The novel begins shortly before Letty and Marcia are asked to retire, first showing the routine of the four character's lives and then the changes retirement brings.

Pym quietly depicts the shabby, disconnected life in a contemporary society and how easy, despite society efforts, it is to fall through the social/safety net for some, but she also portrays the opportunities for growth and change found by others. The writing is economical and not a word is out of place, just very well done. But, I could not get over the sense that I had read this before and I suspect it is far too similar to her Excellent Women.

This book was a little bit of a surprise. Partly this was due to the tone of the book, as it was darker than Barbara Pym's previous novels, but also because the writing in this book is wonderful. The structure is absolute perfection. The writing is understated yet sharp and humourous.

The story is of four work colleagues, doing an unspecified, and seemingly unvalued, job. When the two women characters Letty and Marcia retire they are not replaced and nobody at their retirement "party" seems to know what work it is they actually do. All four are single, and lonely. Edwin spends his time attending church services, Letty reads and has one friend from her childhood that she is still in touch with, Marcia is very insular and stockpiles supplies of tinned goods and empty milk bottles and Norman lives a rather angry life. All feel somewhat out-of-touch in the rapidly changing world of 1970s England. Their isolation becomes more obvious as the book progresses, until they are all brought together towards the end of the book.

This might be a story about the loneliness of old age, but this is not a depressing book, and it ends on a note of cautious optimism. The characters are well-drawn and overall this is a fantastic read.

5 stars.

Rating: 4 stars


The story of four older coworkers and their lonely lives. Although that description doesn't sound very appealing, Pym's writing made their stories pleasant to read about. It is certainly not the downer you might ordinarily expect.

Overall, fantastic character development with a good dose of dark humor.