Passing On

This book is certainly very British. The characters stand out as very stoic typical of their breed. They certainly think and feel so differently than Americans but the story was lovely in its own way

Passing On starts out with terrific characters, good conflict, and I enjoyed it immensely. But the end just sort of fades out--it was rather unsatisfying. Phantom mother just gets abandoned. Goth nephew just leaves. Ultra religious student with wealthy parent just goes off on vacation. Dreamboat lawyer just gets politely dismissed over the phone. Obnoxious neighbor just waves and walks away. Nasty little dog even just gets handled by other people.Maeve Binchy would have handled the resolution of these conflicts so much better. The first 3/4 of the book, I couldn't wait to 'pass it on' to my friend who has shared so many Binchy, Marcia Willett, and Rosamunde Pilcher novels with me. But after I finished it, I just slid it into the bookshelf, thinking "nah, not so good after all..."

Her writing is so different from the more contemporary writers. One has to get used to her style. However, I really grew to love her writing style in this book and another read, "The Road to Lichfield" Her character development is outstanding.I found myself caring for each of the main studies. I could draw clear mental pictures of the characters. They are brought to life in her vivid descriptions. I compare her more to the English authors such as Bronte or Austen. There is not much action. but I was still drawn to the more gentle nuances, The reader is invited to draw her own conclusions as to the actions of the characters instead of being told what they are thinking.

This was a disturbing book and made me think about a lot of issues. Edward's act is presented as a homosexual attempt at connection; but I believe it is more the act of a pedophile. If the encounter had been a 50 year old man with a 16 year old girl instead of a boy, we would not have considered him as sympathetically as his sisters did, especially if he had groped Phil instead of the neighbor's son whose father was presented as greedy. Helen was the one who showed the most growth and her character was well developed.

As a rule I like Penelope Lively's style and would happily read anything she writes. On this occasion I have to admit I took a break from the muddling pace of Helen and Edward's story about half-way through (while I quickly devoured Martin Amis's Lionel Asbo - talk about a change of tempo!) but I did finish it, and I am glad that I did. Ms Lively's novels are hardly plot-driven pot-boilers, but this one just seemed too ponderous at times, especially early on as we get to know the painfully insular, emotionally cauterised, middle-aged brother and sister and the ways in which their vile, overbearing mother impacted on their lives. The novel gathers pace toward the very end, as it draws some conclusions that left this reader somewhat unsatisfied. Not my favourite Lively, but still a solid three and a half star read from a classy, eloquent novelist.

Complex characters going through a loss that grieves them even as it frees them, but only if they choose to be free. Helen and Edward are siblings who were no match for their domineering mother. When she dies the two middle aged orphans are left with a moldering house and two acres of nettles and brambles coveted by the local builder. Their struggle to overcome decades of inertia leads to humiliations and setbacks, overseen and criticized by the voice of their mother that lives in their heads. While tempted to pity them you can't help but root for them to succeed. A wonderful writer, a pleasure to read.

This novel is oustsnding, about a couple who stay on in India after the British leave. Tusker and Lucy Smalley were two minor characters in one of the Raj Quartet books, also outstanding. They stay in India because they are able to live better there on his small pension than they would have in England. Tusker has a dispute with the hotel owner from whom they rent their little cottage and Lucey, his long suffering wife , puts up with him until finally she gives him a piece of her mind. A charming, tear jerker of a book.

I just read it again, for the third (or fourth?) time. I liked it even better this time. She’s a great writer. The inevitable way things sometimes happen in life and having to deal with the consequences.

No me ha gustado nada tener que pagar mas en Amazon.es

received the book. a present for someone else. i did not read it

I didn't really enjoy this book. I found it to be depressing. I kept waiting for at least a little bit of joy to come into the brother and sisters lives, but no, it was just dreary all the way through.The nephew raised my spirits slightly with his modern way of life but that was it. His mother was a self centered shrew. She really got on my nerves.I found myself skimming a lot of this book. I felt like I was on a nature trail with all the descriptions of tree's and leaves and birds.It's a shame really because there's a good story there somewhere just not in this dreary book.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was easy to read but well written. The descriptions made it easy to picture the people and places. The characterisations were well done. It is years since I had read a book by Penelope Lively but I will look forward to reading another one.

She views the world through a microscope and described what she sees with amusement and accuracy. I shall look for other of her stories .