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  • Jane and Prudence

  • By: Barbara Pym
  • Narrated by: Maggie Mash
  • Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (8 ratings)

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Jane and Prudence

By: Barbara Pym
Narrated by: Maggie Mash
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Publisher's Summary

Over the years, as Barbara Pym replaced Nancy Mitford, Georgette Heyer, even Jane Austen, as my most loved author, I devoured all her books, but Jane and Prudence remains my favourite. Even an umpteenth reading this weekend was punctuated by gasps of joy, laughter and wonder that this lovely book should remain so fresh, funny and true to life" - Jilly Cooper

"The setting of this very funny novel, one of Barbara Pym's earliest, is an English village where Jane's husband is the newly appointed vicar, and where Prudence will pay Jane a visit and find herself courted by a fatuous young widower. Prudence, at twenty-nine, has achieved nothing in life but a dull research job in London and a string of dud affairs; Jane, now in her forties, was Prudence's tutor at Oxford. Jane cheerfully concedes that she is an incompetent housewife, but she hopes that the move to a rural parish may transform her into a Trollopean vicar's wife, as well as a crafty matchmaker. There are many comic complications here, as Jane learns that matchmaking has as many pitfalls as does housewifery" - The New Yorker

©1953 Barbara Pym (P)2011 Hachette Digital

What listeners say about Jane and Prudence

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Timeless social comedy

This novel is hilarious, with such a sharply drawn social commentary still relevant for today. Fans of Jane Austen and Tracy Chevalier will love this. A real hidden gem, looking forward to reading more Barbara Pym.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Another wonderful rendition of a Barbara Pym novel

Thanks to Audible, I've discovered that BP's novels lend themselves to live narration. I read and loved all her books about 30 years ago, but they are far better being read aloud, as the novels are full of dialogue. With the many different characters, some quite eccentric, the narrators need to be highly skilled. This one is. It's not the best Pym novel, but it's very entertaining. And if you haven't listened to A Glass of Blessings and Excellent Women, I urge you to do so.

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Fantastic

Not one of my all-time favourite Pyms, but all Pyms are worthy in my opinion! I thought the narrator really captured so much of the humour inherent in these often mundane characters and their overly dramatic inner lives. Fantastic, and constantly entertaining, both from the narrator and the text

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Terrible narration spoiled the book

The narrator was so theatrical and overly dramatic that it made the story sound stupid, outdated and not funny at all. I am really disappointed that I got to this book in this way, should have better just read it myself. Absolutely spoiled it for me.

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