The People on Privilege Hill Paperback – July 29, 2008

What makes gems interesting? There is the initial impression-sparkle maybe, or color. But when you really look into one of the magical stones --diamonds, rubies, emeralds -- you see more depth, more color and sometimes more brilliance. You have to keep on looking - a casual glance won't do - to appreciate the result. Precisely the reason reviewers use "gem" to describe some writing.It is hard to speak too highly of Jane Gardam. This collection of short stories does a lovely job of demonstrating her breadth. They surprised me. I have read Old Filth, The Man in the Wooden Hat, and Queen of the Tambourine, all novels. This was my first exposure to Gardam in other moods.Who knew she wrote ghost stories? She does (Waiting for a Stranger)and even if the plot device, at the end, is a little predictable, she uses the opportunity to consider our willingness (or lack) to accept people and events that are different. The protagonist is Lizzie, a farm wife who agrees at the last minute to put up a stranger for the evening as a favor to the vicar. The metaphor of the long road approaching the farm, where she can see approaching cars--they dodge in and out of view as they come up the hills -- is telling. Gardam uses metaphors with the delicacy of a water colorist. She captures the generation gap --a huge difference in perception -- in The Fledgling as a son, who has become a stranger to his mother, leaves for school. In Pangborne, she returns to a familiar Gardam theme: love as central to survival, even if the one you love is a gorilla. The Latter Days of Mr. Jones circles another Gardam theme -- simply being different is a crime; in this case your heart breaks just a little. There are 14 stories in all, and they are difficult to categorize. A nun who becomes a stand in for the Virgin Mary at Christmas in Bruges. A hairdresser changes the hair and the life of the mother of a bride, touching on a Gardam theme of how impressions allow us to misread our lives. These are very short short stories, making it all the more astonishing that she manages to fully capture her themes.Gardam is so English and so is understated. She is subtle, and nuance matters. She is very observant. She understands and forgives the errors our hearts lead us to. She is gently amused by our failures, keen to our ironies. She writes so well that it makes me want to hide my keyboard from myself.This little book will live on my bedside table so I can re-read them from time to time.

This book did not live up to the expectations of Gardam's other books.It was if the publisher wanted to take advantage of the success of the other Filth books.My book club found some good examples of the writing we expected, but all told, we were very disappointed.

I found Jane Gardam in my later years, absolutely gobbling up her "Old Filth" trilogy and a few others. But I had never read her short stories, and I am ashamed to say that I didn't even know they existed. I have no idea what led me to "The People on Privilege Hill," but these exquisite stories are not to be missed.As in her novels, Gardam is not garrulous. Each word is precisely chosen and elucidated in stories deceptively brief. Especially in her rendering of older people and the elderly, she does not spare us the sad details, but draws us in so completely and thoroughly that we feel we have known these people all our lives. As an added bonus, at least from me, she has a hilarious "slice of life" from the "Old Filth" series, heretofore not seen. If one has not read the series it doesn't matter, but having read it, I found myself laughing aloud.It feels foolish to recommend Jane Gardem, as she is such a brilliant writer that, rather than recommending her, I should instead be sending her thank you notes for allowing me to read her prose!

I first discovered Jane Gardam a few years ago when I read her subtle, completely brilliant, account of the life of English barrister Eddie Feathers, aka  Old Filth  ('failed in London, try Hong Kong'). Ms Gardam upped the ante late last year by publishing a companion volume,  The Man in the Wooden Hat , which retold, and deepened, the story of the Feathers marriage from the point of view of his wife Betty.Old Filth and his nemesis Veneering make a cameo appearance in the first story in this awesome collection by Gardam. The remaining stories are all over the map - from a woman who falls in love with a gorilla to the unexpectedly moving account of a college reunion - each has a wit and poignancy that few authors can match. I found these stories extraordinary.It's impossible for me to pinpoint exactly where her brilliance lies. I'll just say that no collection of stories has moved me as much in the past five years and leave it at that. You have to read these stories - they will surprise and delight you. A truly spectacular accomplishment from an author you may not have come across.

Readers who were saddened to reach the end of the Old Filth trilogy by Jane Gardam will be delighted to discover that the first short story in "The People on Privilege Hill" features Veneering, Edward Feathers, Fiscal-Smith, and Dulcie at a Dorsetshire gathering “some years” after the death of Betty Feathers. Coming upon this story provides a rejuvenating Donhead St. Ague “fix” even to those who had been unaware of needing such a boost. The remaining stories within this collection are extremely varied, but all have unique characters and unexpected endings. It seems likely that many of these stories may prove to be as unforgettable as the Old Filth novels.

I bought the book thinking it was another in the Old Filth series, but was disappointed to find that only the first short story was about Old Filth. The book description gives a misleading impression. The Old Filth story has its merits, but is not up to previous standards. The other stories vary, a couple are pretty good, most are unremarkable. imho.

If you enjoy reading books about the English privileged set this is a good read for you.Jane is a great writer and first read her when I read "The Man With the Wooden Hat" for a book club.

Superb characterisation and some wonderful storylines, often with nice little twists. But one or two oddballs as well - examples being Pangbourne and Dangers. The most moving tale is perhaps The Latter Days of Mr Jones, which offers some piercingly sad observations on our times. There are bittersweet reflections on the passing years - The Last Reunion and Snap, which is hilarious. Overall just the thing if you want a change from full-length novels.

A collection of short stories, giving a little extra insight into Feathers and friends, so enjoyable for that. Some of the stories are quite odd but overall it's worth having.

I bought this book having first read Old Filth and the follow up The Man in the Wooden Hat. I loved them both, laughed and cried throughout, then read the acknowledgements at the back of the second book in which Ms Gardam says Filth dominated three books, so I presumed this was more of him and his intrigueing life. But only the first story was about Edward and his friends, and the others I did not feel were of the same standard. Her style of writing though is still very enjoyable.

Tales that can twist and break your heart or lift you out of yourself with a smile of tender familiarity.

I don't usually read short stories. i came to this volume because I was hooked on the characters from the Filth trilogy and wanted to know more. I was captivated by the parade of extraordinary people in the various stories. Extraordinary but completely believable.