Barbara Pym quotes

Oh, but it was splendid the things women were doing for men all the time, thought Jane. Making them feel, perhaps sometimes by no more than a casual glance, that they were loved and admired and desired when they were worthy of none of these things - enabling them to preen themselves and puff out their plumage like birds and bask in the sunshine of love, real or imagined, it didn't matter which. (Barbara Pym)
How absurd and delicious it is to be in love with somebody younger than yourself. Everybody should try it. View quote
Barbara Pym
Of course it's all right for librarians to smell of drink. View quote
Barbara Pym
She had always been an unashamed reader of novels. View quote
Barbara Pym
I realised that one might love him secretly with no hope of encouragement, which can be very enjoyable for the young or inexperienced. View quote
Barbara Pym
My thoughts went round and round and it occurred to me that if I ever wrote a novel it would be of the 'stream of consciousness' type and deal with an hour in the life of a woman at the sink. View quote
Barbara Pym
The small things of life were often so much bigger than the great things, she decided, wondering how many writers and philosophers had said this before her, the trivial pleasures like cooking, one's home, little poems especially sad ones, solitary walks, funny things seen and overheard. View quote
Barbara Pym
Those quotations were really quite obscure. Anyone can see that he is a very well read man. View quote
Barbara Pym
The new curate seemed quite a nice young man, but what a pity it was that his combinations showed, tucked carelessly into his socks, when he sat down. View quote
Barbara Pym