Persephone Books discussion

By Dorothy Whipple

From me: 3-3.5 stars.

In a way, it looked like a story about nothing especially interesting. But on the second level, I saw there a gripping question about parenthood.

(You can read it here: https://www.cottontown.org/Culture%20...)

I loved this one, I think it's my favourite so far. I was puzzled by the mother's behaviour, she seemed so selfish, which can happen; but keeping the daughter out of school, when she's feeling unwell, to have an unpaid nurse, seemed a step too far. Of course education for women was deemed unneccessary not to far back, but...

Anyway - I found the denoument particularly pleasing

I loved this one, too. There’s a nice sense of humor to the writing. “Mr. Berry was a Civil Servant, but if anything of importance happened to him at his office, which was unlikely, he never said so.” And a very satisfactory ending as the worm turns — I had to laugh at the unexpected reaction to the Berrys’ “after tea” announcement.

I loved this one, too. Did they adopt her so she could eventually be free labor? Now they want her gratitude and for her to acquiesce more, so they tell her she’s adopted. I loved how she turned the table on them. One of my favourites so far! Dorothy Whipple never disappoints!

I think that's exactly what they did, and that's why I was so pleased when she turned the tables on them. Loved this story. I'm planning on picking up The Closed Door and Other Stories, next because the other Whipple story was also great.

I own that one too, Tania!