Comments on: Perfect Happiness – Penelope Lively (1983)

By: Melwyk

Melwyk — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:17:46 +0000

I haven’t read this one yet – and it sounds like I will have to prepare myself for it. I had the same experience, meaning to read Lively for years, until I picked one up last spring and that was it, I’ve been on a Lively kick ever since. She is such a wonderful writer.

By: On Inspiration and Education » Other Stories

On Inspiration and Education » Other Stories — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:11:47 +0000

[...] I didn’t even own a copy. I eventually stumbled across an old Penguin edition in the same second-hand books section in which I found Penelope Lively, so of course I bought it. Then, a week or so ago, I posted this [...]

By: The 2009 Costa Shortlists » Other Stories

The 2009 Costa Shortlists » Other Stories — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:51:40 +0000

[...] Hilary Mantel make it a Booker/Costa double? I can already see that my loyalties will be torn as my new favourite novelist Penelope Lively is up against Ms. [...]

By: The Book Buying Ban… The Update « Savidge Reads

The Book Buying Ban… The Update « Savidge Reads — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:58:04 +0000

[...] Happiness by Penelope Lively – After the review at Other Stories how could I not want to read [...]

By: Jenny

Jenny — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:36:37 +0000

What a wonderful review. On my TBR list it goes. I did love Moon Tiger (and several others of hers) and so you haven’t just stumbled across a coincidence.

By: Simon S

Simon S — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:10:02 +0000

Wowsers this sounds like an emotional rollercoaster of a novel and I am not sure I could take it but on your recommendation if I see this one I will buy it and no mistake (once December arrives that is – book buying ban at mo) I have Moon Tiger on the TBR so thats slipped a little bit higher up.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:16:39 +0000

I have read enough of Lively to know that I will eventually read all of her work. She is great writer and a great storyteller.

By: Kirsty

Kirsty — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:43:13 +0000

Thanks Nadia, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

A word I meant to use in my post, and I didn’t, was “precarious”. It’s a word that kept coming to mind as I read. The precarious nature of life, of thinking we have our lives under control when within a split second it can collapse utterly. The precarious nature of relationships, whether they be romantic, familial, friendly. Also, the privacy of grief – how personal it is for each individual. Frances’s vague shock when strangers made reference to the death of her husband was almost visceral.

What a stunning book. I can’t stop thinking about it.

By: Nadia

Nadia — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:01:23 +0000

I’ve heard tons about Penelope Lively’s work, too! Yet, I have never read one book by her. However, after reading your great post about Perfect Happiness, it sounds like its right up my alley and I’ll most definitely be putting it on my TBR list. I love it when a book leaves you thinking about the characters and makes an impact of sorts on you. Sounds lovely! Cheers!