- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; New edition edition (28 Sep 1978)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140043632
- ISBN-13: 978-0140043631
- Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,076,738 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An insight into the life of the insular Rose Pendlebury - who exists, trapped in the past by her insecurities, with her retired husband Stanley. She is a curtain twitcher and reluctantly becomes involved with her new next door neighbours. Mrs Pen is a fabulous character, almost a caricature, but then you pinch yourself and empathise that there probably are elderly folk just like her in every respect. Stanley provides the foil to Mrs Pens ups and downs. The novel deals with the changing relationship between Mrs Pen and her neighbours, Alice & Tony, the barriers that are broken, then re-erected between the families.
Does this sound like an interesting book? No, I didn't think so either but I was very pleasantly surprised and would recommend it highly.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Rose Pendlebury, a hypersensitive seventy year old woman, who makes snap judgments about people. Usually not favourable ones. She's very critical of all her newer younger neighbours in Rawlinson Road. Rose is tied to a code of ultra-polite behaviour, which ensures she has no friends. Her husband Stanley, is always going to do things tomorrow, consequently nothing ever gets done. Stanley is gregarious, lazy in the home and health obsessed, (mostly by piles and bowels). Alice Oram moves into the house next to the Pendlebury's. She has a child Amy, who takes to Rose, who gradually through her contact with Amy and Alice, becomes more outgoing. Alice thinks she understands Rose. However, Rose is a deeply insecure woman, with occasional violent mood swings.
Although Rose can be irascible and difficult, her problem lies in her past. Stanley for all he is dilatory, mostly knows how to pacify Rose. Over time her friendship with Alice is tested. Alice begins to weary of Rose and her complexities. There is humour in this story, Rose and Stanley's relationship is one of many compromises. It's the extent of their more ridiculous compromises, which bring hilarity. Is Rose a character one could feel sympathy for? Indeed, she is. If I tell you why, I would be giving away the core plot. When Rose and Alice are both disillusioned, ultimately it's Stanley who comes up trumps. For relationship novels with depth, Margaret Forster is one who reigns supreme.
Although Rose can be irascible and difficult, her problem lies in her past. Stanley for all he is dilatory, mostly knows how to pacify Rose. Over time her friendship with Alice is tested. Alice begins to weary of Rose and her complexities. There is humour in this story, Rose and Stanley's relationship is one of many compromises. It's the extent of their more ridiculous compromises, which bring hilarity. Is Rose a character one could feel sympathy for? Indeed, she is. If I tell you why, I would be giving away the core plot. When Rose and Alice are both disillusioned, ultimately it's Stanley who comes up trumps. For relationship novels with depth, Margaret Forster is one who reigns supreme.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I adore this book. It is one of very few books I have bothered to read twice. It is funny, sweet, adorable and poignant.
Rose's phobias shape the lives of herself and her endlessly patient husband, Stanley. But they both have their own ways of dealing with them...
This may sound dull, but Ms Forster has a wonderfully dry and wry wit which makes made this book a total joy and surprise.
Rose's phobias shape the lives of herself and her endlessly patient husband, Stanley. But they both have their own ways of dealing with them...
This may sound dull, but Ms Forster has a wonderfully dry and wry wit which makes made this book a total joy and surprise.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great writing but keep Rose away from me!
I love Margaret Forster's compelling style of writing, her wit and cleverness, and nothing she writes could be less than 3 stars but I finished this one with gritted teeth. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Penny Waugh
Are Neighbours Good For You?
Mrs Pendlebury (Rose) is almost 70 years old. She has been married to Stanley for 50 years and has had two children: Frank ,whom she has not seen for 24 years, and Ellen, who died... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Bookaholic babe
Mrs Pendlebury didn't seduce me!
I'm going to own up and tell you that I bought this book by mistake. Rather than return it I decided to take it on holiday with me. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Elayna Winters
Great Great Great
Usual brilliant standard from Margaret Forster, I know people like Mrs.Pendlebury and while they appear like horrible people you cant help feeling sorry for them, I hope I never... Read more
Published on 4 Oct 2009 by Mrs. E. A. Robb
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