Jane Taylor

Advantages: Interesting, well observed
Disadvantages: Sad, slow-paced

...-turner. It is a clever book and each character is easily recognisable with its little mannerisms we can all acknowledge in others. The elderly are especially well described as their minds and bodies slow down, leaving them often frustrated and unfulfilled. Elizabeth Taylor’s writing has been compared to that of Jane Austen, but it is much gentler than Austen’s and even than the less well-known Barbara Pym. Although the styles are comparable, Austen and Pym make me laugh, Taylor’s novel raised barely a smile. My overall impression of Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont is one of sadness, of finality, of the loneliness of being old. In that way, the book is rather depressing. In contrast though, it made me feel that I am still in the prime of my life in my thirties and that I really shouldn’t complain too much. A few months ago, I... Read review

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Advantages: unexpected twists and turns
Disadvantages: when emma slips up, it can make you cringe

...Another Austen classic set in a small village called Highbury in Surrey. This story is centred around a Miss Emma Woodhouse of Hartfield house and her matchmaking. Emma has everything going for her, she’s pretty, young and intelligent, if a little vain. But when she was raised by an indulgent father, a loving governess Miss Taylor, and an elder sister who she was always superior to, is it any wonder? The only person who can see her faults is a very close family friend, Mr. Knightley. We meet the Woodhouse’s after Miss Taylor has left them to marry a local gentleman, Mr. Weston. Mr. Woodhouse laments over his loss, and pities ‘poor Miss Taylor’ whilst Emma congratulates herself on the success of the match. Mr. Knightley cautions her, but she cannot be stopped and is soon planning another match, between Miss Smith, a local girl... Read review

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Advantages: Interesting, well observed
Disadvantages: Sad, slow-paced

...-turner. It is a clever book and each character is easily recognisable with its little mannerisms we can all acknowledge in others. The elderly are especially well described as their minds and bodies slow down, leaving them often frustrated and unfulfilled. Elizabeth Taylor’s writing has been compared to that of Jane Austen, but it is much gentler than Austen’s and even than the less well-known Barbara Pym. Although the styles are comparable, Austen and Pym make me laugh, Taylor’s novel raised barely a smile. My overall impression of Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont is one of sadness, of finality, of the loneliness of being old. In that way, the book is rather depressing. In contrast though, it made me feel that I am still in the prime of my life in my thirties and that I really shouldn’t complain too much. A few months ago, I... Read review

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Advantages: A really witty and twisted book
Disadvantages: many old fasioned words

.... Taylor to marry Mr. Weston. Later on she would try to settle Harriet’s private life. The alternative pastimes depicted in the book—social visits, charity visits, music, artistic endeavours—seem relatively trivial, at times even monotonous. So Emma preferred to manipulate the people she was surrounded by. But some people didn’t like Emma’s hobby and thought it was silly. One of them was Mr. Knightly. “Mr Knightly a sensible man, about seven or eight and thirty, was not only a very old and intimate friend of the family, but particularly connected with it as elder brother of Isabella’s husband” - So Jane Austen introduces Mr. Knightly. In some way Jane Austen was always in front of her time. Her open mind, irony and deep understanding of the nature of human’s feelings won recognition from the public. Her novels are relevant today... Read review

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