Some tame gazelle ebook

by Barbara Pym

In the interval, during which he enjoyed some excellent coffee and cakes, Father Plowman talked to the elder Miss Bede . I think perhaps it’s a mistake to ask him too often, you know. It seems no time since he was last here. ‘Why, Belinda, it’s nearly three weeks,’ said Harriet indignantly.

In the interval, during which he enjoyed some excellent coffee and cakes, Father Plowman talked to the elder Miss Bede about the death-watch beetle and gave her a short dissertation on its habits. Yes, I suppose it must be.

Barbara Pym (1913–1980) was born in Oswestry, Shropshire. During the war she served in the WRNS in Britain and Naples. Her first novel, Some Tame Gazelle, was published in 1950, and was followed by Excellent Women (1952), Jane and Prudence (1953), Less than Angels (1955), A Glass of Blessings (1958) and No Fond Return of Love (1961).

It was a little difficult to guide his choice, but eventually he went away with some thrillers and the selected poems of the Earl of Rochester, a volume of which Belinda was particularly fond. It had been given to her by Dr Parnell on her twenty-first birthday.

Besides a cake and some apple jelly, she was taking some very special late plums which she had been guarding jealously for the last few weeks

Besides a cake and some apple jelly, she was taking some very special late plums which she had been guarding jealously for the last few weeks. She hurried along, hoping that she would not meet anybody on the way, as she and Belinda were going to tea with Count Bianco and she had not much time. She therefore felt very annoyed when she saw the Archdeacon coming towards her, and would have hurried on, had they not come face to face on the pavement.

Some Tame Gazelle is Barbara Pym's first novel, originally published in 1950

Some Tame Gazelle is Barbara Pym's first novel, originally published in 1950. It is considered a remarkable first novel, because of the way in which the youthful Pym - who began the book while a student at Oxford before the Second World War - imagined herself into the situation of a middle-aged spinster, living with her sister in the country. The title of the book is taken from the poem "Something to Love" by Thomas Haynes Bayly.

Barbara Pym. ‘One’s feet always get so tired standing about. ted crêpe de Chine dress and coatee she was wearing. Harriet glanced down too. ‘I always think low heels are so dowdy,’ she said. Besides, high heels are definitely the fashion no. Yes, I suppose they are,’ agreed Belinda, for Harriet always knew things like that

Novelist Barbara Pym was born in Shropshire and educated at Oxford University.

Novelist Barbara Pym was born in Shropshire and educated at Oxford University. Since then, a number of popular works have been published. Often compared with the works of Jane Austen in both manner and subject, Pym's novels are apparently guileless evocations of the foibles of aging and isolated characters.

SOME TAME GAZELLE was her first published book (1950) and it's a quietly acute look at English middle class life in the immediate post-WWII period. Two retired sisters live together in a village. As Pym and her sister would in their later years. Some tame gazelle, or some gentle dove: Something to love, oh, something to love! I would call this a little comfy, cozy book and in the proper place and time I certainly do enjoy them as I did this one. The spinster sisters Harriet and Belinda live in a small village where it does seem that everyone knows everyone. Their world revolves around their churches, church life and especially the curates, archdeacons, and bishops.

The Misses Bede occupy the central crossroads of parish life. Then, into their quiet lives comes a famous librarian, Nathaniel Mold, and a bishop from Africa, Theodore Grote - who each take to calling on the sisters for rather unsettling reasons.

hulk

Many consider Barbara Pym to be the natural successor of Jane Austin. Would Pym be flattered or dismiss the compliment with a politely snide remark? I wonder.

SOME TAME GAZELLE was her first published book (1950) and it's a quietly acute look at English middle class life in the immediate post-WWII period. Two retired sisters live together in a village. (As Pym and her sister would in their later years.) Belinda is thin, faded, sentimental, and self-conscious. Harriet is "plumply attractive," confident, and out-spoken. Both (from a modern perspective) appear to be as naive and sheltered as young children and that's part of their charm. Belinda cherishes a decades-old love for a man who married another woman. Harriet's passion is unmarried curates (a junior Anglican clergyman) and she's just started on the latest in a long line. Their lives revolve around housekeeping, gardening, clothes, the church, and their friends - mostly middle-aged, unmarried people like themselves. There are no children. Pym didn't believe in them.

Not much happens. Belinda's old boyfriend and his bossy wife go about their acid, but successful marriage. Both sisters receive marriage proposals - Harriet's expected, Belinda's a complete shock. Two couples (one young, one middle-aged) get married. Traditional gender roles are accepted, although the women are quite aware that they're getting the short end of the stick. "Class" is a given. Those born into the working class may rise by their efforts and talents, but their low origins always "show."

So why is it interesting? Because the characters are interested in themselves and each other and the reader is drawn in and becomes interested, too. Like most (not all) of Pym's people, they appear to be silly, pompous, or useless, but they have rich inner lives and sources of pride and enjoyment that make life rewarding. The author says of Belinda, "She was fortunate in needing very little to make her happy." Pym's genius is that she takes boring, ordinary people and turns them inside-out and makes them appealing and likable. This book is gentler than her later work, but just as worthwhile.

Wrathmaster

This book isn't for everyone. No car chases, shootouts, kidnappings, or loud bangs. In fact, some people may wonder if anything is going to happen. In its quiet way, quite a lot happens to its main characters, Belinda and Harriet Bede, sisters living together. Both are afraid that the other one will get married and upset the balance of their quiet lives. What drama there is lies inside their heads as they observe the actions of the other.

I loved the book, but then I've lived in the environment she describes, one with the focus on church activities and the doings of clergy. There is plenty of drama there, but it is not showy and not on the surface.

Although the author was only 18 when she wrote the novel, she exhibits an extraordinary level of observation and understanding of single women 'of a certain age.' Harriet and Belinda are delightful.

Ynye

I think this is an ideal novel, fun to read and I didn’t want it to end. I read it quickly as I care about the two main characters, spinsters Belinda and Harriet Bede, who live together in a small English village after World War II. Belinda is the older sister, in her mid-fifties, who has had a secret crush on the local married Archdeacon for thirty years. Harriet is more outgoing and is an attractive plump woman who attracts several men in this book. The ladies live a busy and fulfilling life and are rather happy not being married. But will this change? I will not tell. All will be revealed in the pages of this book.

AGAD

It's all about having someone to love, one way or another. Pym knows a lot about personal complexities and spins
an easy-going tale of complications in a small community. Slow-moving, but full of charm.

RUsich155

"Some tame gazelle, or some gentle dove:
Something to love, oh, something to love!

I would call this a little comfy, cozy book and in the proper place and time I certainly do enjoy them as I did this one.
The spinster sisters Harriet and Belinda live in a small village where it does seem that everyone knows everyone. Their world revolves around their churches, church life and especially the curates, archdeacons, and bishops. Harriet is much enraptured by the local curate whomever it may be at the time while Belinda is much more good works oriented.
They, each one, had/have their chance at marriage but choose to remain spinsters sharing a home with a day girl as help. They are very comfortable in their lives in the gossipy little village deciding what to have for tea and dinner each day and when to invite the curate for tea or dinner.
This is a little book in which not much of anything happens. Oh there is a wedding and a church garden party, etc. But we, for the most part, end up back where we began. In the little comfy, cozy home of the spinster sisters awaiting the next bit of gossip or the new curate coming for Sunday dinner.
I quite liked the characters of this little book, excepting that of the archdeacon. I found him to be pompous, enamored with himself, rather cold and hurtful, but he did have a rightful place in the story. Had it not been for this character so many of the bits would not have been in place nor fallen into place.
I enjoyed this read, recommend it for one in need of a comfy, cozy, easy read. You will enjoy it with a nice cup of tea. I rated it 4 stars.

POFOD

I love Barbara Pym's writing and have done so for many years. The only thing new about this book is that I was able to buy it for my Kindle at a reasonable price. I've probably read this title at least five times over the last several years; I still love it.

Bort

Barbara Pym is very very British, very understated, delicate, funny (wry), very observant. Wonderfully written. She is such a lovely writer and almost no one (at least in America) seems to know she is. That's a shame. The book is of its time and while the insights remain, the settings and behaviors have changed. I hope she finds a wider audience.