"Quartet in Autumn," by Barbara Pym

I recently read an article in The New York Times about the English author Barbara Pym. It described her as one of the most underrated English novelists and spoke highly of her talents. She was an author who had, as it were, passed me by. I noticed a novel of hers in the Library and checked it out. “Quartet in Autumn” had in its cover and inside blurbs a number of glowing appraisals.

Take John Updike: “ ...a marvel of fictional harmonies, a beautifully calm and rounded passage in and out of four isolated individuals as they feebly, fitfully, grope their way towards an ideal solidarity.” And an Observer review “..small in scale, “Quartet in Autumn” is on its own terms an exquisite, even magnificent, work of art.” Another review: “..a tale of almost musical perfection.”

And "..a softly compelling story of human dignity in the midst of hopelessness." Another: "tragic-comic themes of single people aging."

It is a wonderful work. Start it and you might sit glued and finish it in a sitting. It is not too long...just right, actually. Four colleagues work together in an office--though the nature

of the work is never revealed--each moving towards retirement and each leading their own, somewhat eccentric lonely lives, each unmarried or attached. It is an exploration of the minds of each of them--Edwin, Letty, Marcia, and Norman--and their relationships with each other.

I've said enough...highly recommended...if you can find a copy.