Monday, January 24, 2022

Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor 163

 The hotel becomes a genteel antechamber to oblivion, its spectral inhabitants representative figures from postwar English life. It’s the 1960s, and a new society is taking shape. 'The Claremont symbolises a class and a way of life heading for the dustbin of history.' It is also a gentle romance, on the edge of a rom-com, with comic characters such as Lady Swayne and Mrs de Salis.  The book evokes the era of Earls Court hotels and boarding houses. The writing is beautiful. The pathos of the ending is hard.  The book generated a good discussion about how times have changed, class and romance in later life.

Words used to describe it:  wonderful, multidimensional, biting, reflective, poignant, pathos

Marks out of 10:  between 8 - 10, there were a couple of 10's so well liked 

Next Book

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

and if you have time read Dead Cert by Dick Francis

Next Meeting

Thursday 6th January 
at 
126 Harbord St

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