Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

This is the thread to discuss No Fond Return of Love by Barbara Pym

Looking forward to it!

Me too! I just downloaded it from the library! I found the cover very modern romanceyish. Like a lot of modern romance writers covers look these days. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I noticed this is included with kindle unlimited. Looks interesting, plan on starting it sometime this week. I haven't read anything by this author before.

I totally forgot to check there. Awesome to know!

I would like to join this read. When do we begin?

We’d love to read with you, Shaina! I think we decided on November 1, so Thursday. Sara, if I have it wrong, please correct me!

I'm in, too! I've been looking forward to reading this one. The ebook and the audio version are both available on Hoopla if you have access to that :)

Yes, we agreed on November 1st. Welcome Shaina and Terris.

I will join by listening as soon as ifinish The Shipping News, later this week..

I plan to start November 1. So ready for this one.

To those who know about my computer snafu...I am back. I will be ready to start on Monday.

I am teed up to start tomorrow. This will be a “new to me” author although I have certainly known the name for a long time. Knowing nothing about this book, I decided to join in based upon the other readers taking this up. So much for my resolution to read books already on my shelf; I can’t really do that with audiobooks, so there’s my justification and I’m sticking to it!

LOL. I'm glad you aren't letting a resolution hold you back, Terry. It will be interesting to see what you think of Pym. I have enjoyed the others I have read, so I have great hopes for this one.

I'll start on Monday as well. Gives me a chance to catch up on other things. Terry, I make that resolution every month, and every month I break it.

I will be reading anf following comments.

Chapter One: Well, I am only one chapter in and already I think I have a feel for who these people are. It will be interesting to see them develop, but Pym is very good at drawing one in immediately. Of course, I like Dulcie and suppose I am most likely to relate to her, but we shall see.

Sara, I am ahead of you, for a change. I agree that Pym very skillfully draws the reader in. Dulcie is a character that reminds me of a creative writing teacher who described a writer as someone who should observe people, record their mannerisms, research them, eavesdrop on their conversations, etc. Dulcie is doing what that teacher said a writer should do — which, as I write this, sounds a little creepy right now.

I also read the first chapter last night. I have a feeling I will closely identify with Dulcie as well. Viola seems like an emotional wreck.

Oh yes, Pym draws you in quickly here and wants you to know her characters well. I also like Dulcie. Viola does seem a mess emotionally.
Pym's writing is so easy and refreshing!

This is my second novel by Pym and she’s clearly going to become a ‘go to’ author, who can be relied on to deliver an entertaining story. I’ve read the first 5 chapters and thought I’d point out to those of you in the US that I found it most amusing that Dulcie bumps into both Viola and Aylwin whilst shopping in South Kensington as though she is in a small village and not a densely populated area of London. It certainly wouldn’t be the case now. Also looking up names in a phone directory, it’s all so delightfully quaint and transports you back to a more gentile era.

It does have a lovely throwback kind of flavor, Megan. I grew up in Atlanta, a big city, but we were always seeing people we knew, even when we were downtown. I think communities were closer knit and choices (like where to shop) more limited. I can imagine the phone book is almost funny to those who have always had cell phones and Google to turn to.

Yes I agree. I love it the way Pym immediately draws you in with her characters and really looking forward to seeing how they will become involved in one another’s lives.

It makes me laugh to think of all this snooping Dulcie is doing in the library and phone book. These days a couple of computer clicks would give her everything she was looking for. Did anyone one else think it odd that at the conference people were just walking into others rooms without knocking! No locks on the doors? Aylwin seems to be a self-centered, clueless sort. Viola Dace is just as bad.

I’m with all of you- Dulcie will most certainly be my favourite. Viola is snooty for one.
I love first sentences that grab me right away and the one in this book did just that.
I just started it as wanted to finish another book first. It’s nice to be back in Pym’s world.

Yes, I did find it odd that people wandered into each other’s rooms. Even leaving your room in a dressing gown to make tea. And Mrs Randall taking tea into Aylwin Forbes and telling him how lucky men are to be waited on. She took it upon herself after all. It was what women did.

One of the reasons for the unlocked rooms might be because the bathroom wasn’t I the room but down the hallway. Hence, Aylin seeing Mrs. Randall in her dressing gown.

I did think it odd that Nrs Randall brought him tea but like you say, Antionette, he was a lucky man for being a man.

I need to check our time period- 50’s?

I found it odd as well that the men and women would have rooms on the same floor. I think most conferences in those days would have separated the two so that they didn't have to share a bathroom, but maybe I am thinking this place is larger than it is?

At any rate, I think Aylwin is unlikely to want for female attention. His wife better change her mind quickly if she expects to find him available when she returns.

I have made Chapter Eight and I must say I find Dulcie's skills of observation so interesting. She notices everything about the people around her and she is so kind. (view spoiler)[The last thing I was expecting was for Viola to ask to stay with her. What a presumption after the way she has thought of Dulcie and treated her. I am not a fan of Viola at all.

I am still trying to sort how I feel about Laurel. I disliked that she left her bed unmade for the woman who comes in to help. That seemed thoughtless and snooty, but I did like that Dulcie put her straight.

Can't help wondering how the Aylwin infatuation is going to progress with Vi and Dulcie under the same roof.

Liked this: And for you, she thought, a wife will go back to her mother, an unhappy woman will lie on the grass, wearing red canvas shoes and not caring about anything. And perhaps another--usually so sensible--will begin to think she is falling in love...it was not to be considered for a moment (hide spoiler)]

To those of us in the Dickensians, I couldn't help thinking of Mr. Dickens when I read this
A shabbily dressed man with a raffish air appeared to be taking down names and addresses, perhaps with a view to writing begging letters to unsuspecting clergymen.
Maybe some things never change.

I have to get to bed, but I couldn't stop reading...this is hilarious.

And it just gets better and better….. I too have reached chapter 9 and I’m just loving the dynamics emerging especially between Dulcie and Viola. I won’t write too many details as I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, but I was in fits of giggles at the jumble sale and the way Dulcie is so nosy! Her first thoughts ‘What a piece of luck she thought, wondering for one wild moment if she could run back and snatch the stone squirrel from the garden of the empty house so that she too might have something to bring.’ I can’t help but love her though, especially when she walks past her own house to avoid being seen by Aylwin!

Excellent catch there, Sara, with the Dickens connection! I am chuckling through this as well. Just finished ch 7 and need to go take my dog for a walk. He keeps staring at me!

There is such a wry humor and I am loving Dulcie. The niece, Laurel, is going to bring an interesting facet to her life being younger and less inhibited.

This is my second Pym and I already notice a common character type - the dowdy, spinster female who wears sensible shoes. I remember that Mildred in Excellent Women had an good pair of shoes she spent a bit more on. Funny the details that seem to pop up as reoccurring.

And Pym still brings in the women’s issues of the period in a funny way too- as when Dulcie wondered …what they would find to talk about—their work and the domestic trivia that bound all women, whatever their ages, together? when Laurel arrived to live with her.

I'm getting ready to dive back in this morning, but can't help wondering how Dulcie is going to deal with two slobs in her house. Us neatniks don't like that one bit!

I was wondering the same, Diane. My daughter always seems to revert to being messy when she comes and visits. I’ve learned to ignore- the visits are too short to worry about it. I must admit to feeling anxious at the thought of two slobs in her home and Viola thinks someone should clean the tub after she’s used it.
I’m up to chapter 9 as well- it’s hilarious how they are spying on Aylwin.

I really laughed aloud at Aylwin's decision of what to do with the flowers. I mean, come on boy, you are not improving the situation here.

Dulcie is such a stalker! It's funny because she does it out of curiosity more than anything. It seems she is swayed by Aylwin's good looks more than anything, I can't see her liking him if she had to spend much time with him. I've read up through the dinner party but will stop here for now. May get more reading done tonight depending on how slow the election returns are here. The time change wrecks my inner clock.

She is a stalker and yet it is done with no animus so it feels more funny than creepy. I wonder if any of these women would actually want Aylwin if they knew him well. It seems to be all about looks for each of them.

I have finished Chapter 7. I loved the opening line “There are various ways of mending a broken heart, but perhaps going to a learned conference is one of the more unusual.” Very Austenesque.
I found the scene with Mrs. Beltane and Felix quite funny! "We definitely don't like plain biscuits. We like petit-fours."
Another interesting line about women's education at the time are Dulcie's thoughts on Laurel's response regarding her best subjects at school.

''Ah, thought Dulcie sardonically, how many a young girl must have given the same answer to that question! And really what did it mean? A sentimental penchant for King Charles the First or even Napolean, or a liking for the poetry of Marvell, Keats, or Matthew Arnold?''
" What, as Miss Lord would ask, did it lead to? "

I don't know how Dulcie will manage Laurel and Viola together. I sympathise with Laurel who doesn't want to live in the suburbs. At her age, I didn't either :P

Love the quote you chose, Shaina. I was an English Lit major, so I got asked that question quite often..."Exactly what do you do with your degree?"

Sara, I, too, majored in English! lol.. Everyone around me asked me the same question :)

The trip to Taviscombe by Viola and Dulcie seems rather strange, it takes their curiosity about the Forbes to a whole new level. The lady novelist who ate alone at dinner in the hotel, could that have been a Pym cameo? I also noticed a Pym title on Aylwin's bookshelf.

Diane, I absolutely agree. By this point my feelings are that Dulcie is getting into stalker territory! First the wife, then the brother and now his mother, one does wonder when she has time to do anything else!

I noticed Pym’s novel too- very clever! I hadn’t thought of that Diane, but i can so imagine this appealing to Pym’s sense of humour by writing her self into cameo role. It reminds me of John le Carre,, he used to have a cameo role in his books turned into films.

I’ve just finished the awkward dinner party at Dulcie’s house, ch 13. What an assortment of people. Aylwin is just creepy. Maurice seems nice but I’m not sure he really wants to get back with Dulcie. It could have just been the fact that he has had two encounters with her recently. And the comfort of being in her home, a place he’s familiar with. But,, who knows? Dulcie certainly doesn’t have eyes for him right now. She’s getting to be a bit obsessive.

I just finished Chapter 4 and am really enjoying this one so far!
I like Dulcie a lot, and I find Violet/Viola/Vi kind of strange, but I am fascinated and tickled by the writing. I think Sara mentioned a similarity to Dickens, and since I am reading "Nicholas Nickleby" right now I am seeing that! Also, Shaina's mention of the opening line (which I also loved!) was definitely "Austenesque." I like the comparisons of the different authors and how the older ones influence and flavor the newer authors' writing! :)

I have also just finished the strange dinner chapter. Dulcie needs to get a life, because this obsession with the Forbes family is getting out of hand. I'm glad you pointed out the book, Diane, because I'm not sure I would have caught it otherwise. I probably would have, though, because I slowed down instinctively to spy on his bookshelf.

Welcome, Terris!

Dulcie’s obsession is so overboard. I wonder where this will all lead. I am starting to feel sorry for her- she doesn’t seem to have much in her own life.

Sorry for deviation everyone , I just wanted to pick up on Lori’s comment about book covers. Is anyone reading the new versions because publishers have completely redesigned all Pyms covers and they are simply AWFUL- it cries out ‘chick lit’ to me and it’s one of the reasons I avoided Pym for so long. Even my Dad, the most unobservant of people - asked me what on earth was I reading with such an appalling cover- just shows you how every aspect of a book really needs to get considered carefully. Just wanted to share my random thoughts- we can get back to the story now ☺️

I, too, have been feeling sorry for Dulcie since Chapter 10. She seems lonely and still grieving the end of her relationship with Maurice.

"she realised that it was not her love for Maurice that had returned during their short meeting in the art gallery, but the remembrance of the unhappiness he had caused her."

I think she is using all the snooping as a distraction from her pain and loneliness. She doesn't want to be hurt again. When Maurice talks of going back to the way things were Dulcie realises she is not happy thinking he might come back to her but that losing him a second time might be more painful than the first.

She also thinks the best way is not to get emotionally invested again.

"so much safer and more comfortable to live in the lives of other people - to observe their joys and sorrows with detachment as if one were watching a film or a play."

Megan, I agree about the newer covers, I don't like them either. My edition is a newer Virago version. Maybe publishers are trying to attract romance readers since that has become a popular genre these days. A new bookstore just opened in Charleston that only carries "romantasy " novels. Not my thing, but each to his own. I think anyone expecting romance in a Pym novel is sure to be disappointed; no sex beyond a few chaste kisses.