Barbara Pym Reading Week begins today and, though I doubt I’ll manage to read and review one of her books this week (though I will try), I did want to do something to celebrate Pym. This week’s image comes from the cover of a 1990s edition of Quartet in Autumn, described as:
…the story of four people in late middle-age – Edwin, Norman, Letty and Marcia – whose chief point of contact is that they work in the same office and they suffer the same problem – loneliness. Lovingly, poignantly, satirically and with much humour, Pym conducts us through their small lives and the façade they erect to defend themselves against the outside world. There is nevertheless an obstinate optimism in her characters, allowing them in their different ways to win through to a kind of hope.
As for the library in the picture itself, I am deeply impressed by the shininess of the floors.
The Captive Reader 
I think the library is actually floating on a golden pond.
That floor brings back scary memories of finding out the hard way that my mother had a burst of energy late in the evening and revved up the electric floor polisher! Ouch.
My Pym of choice is Less Than Angels and I’ve spent a lovely morning enjoying it with a cup of tea, toast and marmalade. Quite suitable, don’t you think?
It’s so funny…this picture is probably a very accurate depiction of the Quartet, but it doesn’t seem right, somehow. Maybe it’s too sensible and realistic (except for the floors) and I don’t want that in my Pyms.
YOu’re right. They look too chummy, which is not what the four were, but the publisher probably didn’t want to focus on the “autumnal” aspect of the novel.
That’s the book I’m reading right now! though mine has a much plainer cover – one of the repeat patterns.
I can’t help but think how dangerous that floor would be to seniors! 🙂
I’m looking for milk bottles in the corners – one of the characters leaves random household items at her local library!
I think they are a bit cheerful-looking for Pym! And I can’t imagine any British institution having such a shiny floor. We have always specialised in dingy.
Agree about the character’s demeanour(s). But the floor is very authentic: the one in our small branch library in Kent in the 1950s to 60s was exactly like this, the pride and joy of the caretaker.
I bow to your experience, Hilary! I was basing my observation on my memories of the library I used to go to at the time, but perhaps I do its caretaker a disservice.
Love that the floor is inescapably noteworthy. This looks more like a painting of the board that some poor library is forced to hang up, than my own image of the quartet of Quartet.
I’m on a major learning curve this week. Two days ago I knew nothing about Pym except that I had a copy of Excellent Women in my TBR pile.
I’m feeling a little overwhelmed by how much there is to learn and impressed the depth and breadth of love for BP and her books.
Excellent Women is where I would start! And when you’ve cleared the novels, BP’s letters make fascinating reading.
This is my favorite Pym novel. Enjoy.