Excellent Women is a novel by Barbara Pym, first published in 1952 and generally acclaimed as the funniest and most successful of her comedies of manners.

Plot introduction

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The plot concerns Mildred Lathbury, a mild-mannered spinster who occupies herself with charity work. Excitement enters her life with the arrival of new neighbours, anthropologist Helena Napier and her handsome, dashing husband, Rocky - with whom Mildred fancies herself in love.

Explanation of the novel's title

The phrase, "excellent women", is used ironically as a condescending reference to the kind of women who perform menial duties in the service of churches and voluntary organisations.

Plot summary

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Through the Napiers, she meets another anthropologist, Everard Bone, and it is with him that Mildred will eventually form a relationship. A sub-plot revolves around the activities of the local vicar, Julian Mallory, who becomes engaged to a glamorous widow, Allegra Gray. As with most of Pym's books, the story is less important than the development of comic characters (such as Everard's elderly mother) and situations.

1952 novels | English novels