Maximiliano Hern Hern itibaren 88041 Decollatura CZ, Italy itibaren 88041 Decollatura CZ, Italy

Barbara Pym is my favorite writer ever ever ever and this is a fine example of why she has claimed the #1 spot in my heart. This book, her last, centers around an out of date English village populated by all the typical Pym characters: the dopey vicar who's more comfortable talking about history than personal matters, the dowdy 30-ish "excellent woman" anthropologist, the eccentric old lady who buries her dead hedgehog in a wool sweater. Not much happens and yet there is nary a slow moment: everybody is so preoccupied with being preoccupied or awkward or lonely and we're let in on all their preposterous/heartbreaking brain waves. An utter treat!

Enjoyed this book. The protagonist a jockey finds himself trying to unravel an older brother's affairs after an unexpected accident. Of course things aren't what they seem and it takes all of Derek's skills to sort things out. The setting is Great Britain and the horsey details of the jockey's life are just right and add deeply to a subplot without overwhelming the reader with information on horse jumping. It's suspenseful and an easy book to read. The last few chapters get going really fast so plan on finishing it if you are getting close to the end because you won't want to stop.

Steinbeck is one of the greatest writers of our time. Seriously. His use of metaphors may seem overdone for some, but I think those are always his best chapters. I reccomend Grapes of Wrath as well.