REVIEW: A GLASS OF BLESSINGS - BARBARA PYM

[@maryb6559]

Wonderful review I just finished A Glass of Blessings, it and Some Tame Gazelle are my favorite Pym's so far. Just delightful and so many witticisms probably just remembering because it was at the end but the dialogue about titles of novels 'Remembering Scampi' vs Cod on Fridays' 🤣

[@radiantchristina]

I just discovered Barbara Pym . I am currently reading my first Pym - An Excellent Women. II love the humor and wit. I am only about a quarter of the way in and I instantly thought to myself- she's got Austen's wit ! There is not enough content on booktube about her! I look forward to reading more of her works. Thanks for your content on Pym!

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Thanks for saying that - I have quite a few other videos about her on my channel, which you should be able to pull up by searching for my channel name plus her name. Another review of a different Pym novel should go up today or tomorrow!

[@TheMonika1951]

I'm doing the same: reading all her novels, one by one.

[@shirleysavitts9647]

MISS PYM'S DAY OUT (Patricia Routledge) (1991) I recommend any Pym fans to view this. From the extra info gleaned from Shawn, it explains why she went to the church alone at night and gave such an imploring prayer for her forgiveness. Thank you Shawn.

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Thank you! I have long noticed that video was on KZbin and must watch it soon!

[@Amy_Yuki_Vickers]

I laughed outloud at the second quote. Barbara Pym books sound fantastic. I love that kind of humor. I am putting this book on my list and I can't wait to get to it.

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

I can’t wait to hear what you think!

[@pegthebookprizeaddict579]

Oh yes, I love her novels and read them voraciously in the early 80’s while going through a bad time in my life....they seemed so comforting and may have saved my sanity (were you even born then?👶)

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

I’m not as young as you think I am, girlfriend! In fact I think I’m much older than you! Wow, so did you read the complete works?

[@dhurd4099]

How great to start my day with some laugh out loud moments! There is a new used book store in the area so today I will look for a bit of Pym as well some others you’ve mentioned recently that are not available as ebooks. I’m hoping she will be my cup of tea. Thank you for doing these reviews. This old lady enjoys them so much!

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Thank you! I recommend this one and Some Tame Gazelle the most highly. Enjoy!

[@rlgustafson5]

Just finished this one tonight. I'm continuing to read them in chronological order and have to say this one is now at the top of my list as the favorite!

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

It's on my upper tier as well! Oh, and this review caught the attention of the Barbara Pym Society, and they posted it on their Facebook page - that was an exciting day!

[@rlgustafson5]

@@shawnbreathesbooks ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@greggi47]

I heard about Barbara Pym in the Eighties, when hr name appeared on one of those Unfairly Forgotten Writers lists. My first encounter was with her final novel, Quartet in Autumn. I realized later, after reading the other novels, that QIA isn't the best first introduction. Rereading it 30 years later--when I was older, closer to the age of the characters--I enjoyed it more. Thankfully, that somber-comic story didn't discourage exploration. Now I am rereading all of the books, mostly in order, and trying to encourage friends to take them in. Thanks for your review

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

I agree with everything you said - and glad to have you as a subscriber! Next up for me will be A Few Green Leaves.

[@beyondthepages19]

I love Barbara Pym and I can't wait to read this one :)

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

I figured you might. I’m dying to find out what you think of it!

[@jabrayjay6679]

Pym is so wonderful and so under-rated!

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Hear, hear!

[@jamesholder13]

Sounds interesting. Maybe it will be something my mom would enjoy.

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Thanks for making me feel ancient....LOL

[@LiaMahony]

I have Excellent Women sitting staring at me. I must move it up the pile.

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

I enjoyed that one too!

[@thereadingcompanion9499]

Came back to this because of your recent fame in Literary society. I should read some Barbara Pym soon.

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

You should! 😜

[@bookmark_kl]

Bought this one last week, lets see.

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Yay!

[@J0zB]

I share your enthusiasm for Barbara Pym. Wouldn’t you love to read a collection of her letters? Hmm. I wonder if they exist.

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

I would! Apparently her autobiography A Very Private Eye is mostly or completely in the form of excerpts from her diaries and letters.

[@debfisher6096]

They certainly do exist. I recommend Yvonne Cocking's book "Barbara in the Bodleian" (Yvonne will be a speaker at the Pym Society of North America's annual conference in Boston in March). Barbara's correspondence with Philip Larkin has been memorably adapted for stage and radio.

[@paulaakaazelialopes6694]

I've only read The Sweet Dove Died and I was utterly disappointed. Even though I knew it wasn't plot driven I powered through until the end expecting the good part, the turning point, the drama, the character development, anything, but it was in vain. I love unlikable characters, but they were all more than that, they were detestable, vain and stupid. Now that I vented my fury, do you think I should read Quertet in Autumn? :-)

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

azelia lopes Oooh, that one is so obscure that this is the first time I’ve even heard its title! No, if you ever decide to try her again - and she may well not be your cup of tea at all - you should try one of the ones I recommend in this video. I haven’t gotten to Quartet in Autumns yet - it’s next up!

[@emilystockard8027]

Sweet Dove and Quartet are very different from her more humorous ones. So give one of the earlier ones a try!

[@snowy9555]

Hi Shawn, i really think you would like Vain Shadow by Jane Hervey

[@shawnbreathesbooks]

Thank you. Stacked! I haven’t had good luck with Persephone Books thus far but hope this one will be an exception!