Review: Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers
by The Borrowers Book Group Kesgrave Library
Small Pleasures, by Clare Chambers
The Borrowers Book Group at Kesgrave Library share their thoughts on Small Pleasures, written by British novelist Clare Chambers.
About Small Pleasures
1957, south-east suburbs of London. Jean Swinney is a feature writer on a local paper, disappointed in love and - on the brink of 40 - living a limited existence with her truculent mother: a small life from which there is no likelihood of escape. When a young Swiss woman, Gretchen Tilbury, contacts the paper to claim that her daughter is the result of a virgin birth, it is down to Jean to discover whether she is a miracle or a fraud.
But the more Jean investigates, the more her life becomes strangely (and not unpleasantly) intertwined with that of the Tilburys: Gretchen is now a friend, and her quirky and charming daughter Margaret a sort of surrogate child. And Jean doesn't mean to fall in love with Gretchen's husband, Howard, but Howard surprises her with his dry wit, his intelligence and his kindness - and when she does fall, she falls hard.
Borrow a copy of Small Pleasures on our catalgoue →
Book group review
This is a beautifully written book which we all enjoyed very much. The setting captures the period so well that you feel that you could be living in 1957. Descriptions of the characters and of life in the suburbia of North Kent bring to life vividly the frugality of post-war Britain, as well as the loneliness and longing of the unmarried spinster whose world is reduced by the duty of caring for a difficult, elderly parent.
Both male and female characters are well defined, especially Jean, the strong central character, and Howard, with whom she falls in love. The book is about relationships, guilt and unfulfillment, yet with its humour and warmth as well as its plot twists and turns, the book keeps the reader hooked to the end. One longs for Jean to find the happiness she seeks rather than settling for the ‘small pleasures’ in life.
The book is well researched and uses a real life, tragic event to bring about a sad ending.
Recommendation: A very enjoyable and beautifully written book with vivid description and well defined characters.
Love books? Want to discuss them in a reading group? Find out how to get started →