Patricia Brent, Spinster

Patricia Brent, Spinster | Herbert Jenkins

pick

Really enjoyed it 😁

It's a very light-hearted read, yet there are some deeper reflections in the final part.
Sometimes l though the plot was a little unlikely, but then, it is a humorous take and it works like that.

I also enjoyed reading about the New Woman (one of my favourite historical topics) from a contemporary. Yes, the complexity of this figure dies come out.

I looked for other stories by this author, but he seems quite forgotten.

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JazzFeathers

Patricia Brent, Spinster | Herbert Jenkins

Time for this recommendation from a friend 😁

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willaful

Patricia Brent, Spinster | Herbert Jenkins

Perhaps the original fake engagement romance? In WWI London, Patricia is mortified to overhear fellow boardinghouse “guests“ gossip about her lonely state, and invents a date with a fiance. When she's followed to the “date,“ she spies a likely man in uniform and begs him to help her out.

The romance that follows is chock full of gender essentialism and not that interesting, but there are some fascinating and funny portraits of the time. cont.

willaful My favorite scene is a bombing, which brings out the best--and worst--in the boardinghouse residents. One man hilariously tries to display cool by lighting cigarettes, which he completely loses track of. I also liked the resolution, in which Patricia is shown that the studied indifference and unsentimentality practiced by the bright young things of the age is cutting them off from the chance of happiness. A soft pick, worth a read. (edited) 2mo

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