Small Pleasures
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- Create Date：2021-03-23 00:18:03
- Update Date：2025-09-07
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- Author：Clare Chambers
- ISBN：147461390X
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Summary
1957， south-east suburbs of London。
Jean Swinney is a feature writer on a local paper， disappointed in love and - on the brink of forty - living a limited existence with her truculent mother。
When a young Swiss woman， Gretchen Tilbury， contacts the paper to claim that her daughter is the result of a virgin birth， it is down to Jean to discover whether she is a miracle or a fraud。
But the more she investigates， the more her life becomes strangely （and not unpleasantly） intertwined with that of the Tilburys: Gretchen herself， her husband Howard - with his dry wit and gentle disposition - and her charming daughter Margaret。
But they are the subject of the story Jean is researching for the newspaper， a story that increasingly seems to be causing dark ripples across all their lives。 And yet Jean cannot bring herself to discard the chance of finally having a taste of happiness。
But there will be a price to pay - and it will be unbearable。
Jean Swinney is a feature writer on a local paper， disappointed in love and - on the brink of forty - living a limited existence with her truculent mother。
When a young Swiss woman， Gretchen Tilbury， contacts the paper to claim that her daughter is the result of a virgin birth， it is down to Jean to discover whether she is a miracle or a fraud。
But the more she investigates， the more her life becomes strangely （and not unpleasantly） intertwined with that of the Tilburys: Gretchen herself， her husband Howard - with his dry wit and gentle disposition - and her charming daughter Margaret。
But they are the subject of the story Jean is researching for the newspaper， a story that increasingly seems to be causing dark ripples across all their lives。 And yet Jean cannot bring herself to discard the chance of finally having a taste of happiness。
But there will be a price to pay - and it will be unbearable。
Reviews
Derval Tannam
，
I really enjoyed this book。 The main characters were all sympathetic， with perhaps the exception of Jean's needy， judgemental mother。 I disliked the ending because Jean's decision about the story didn't make sense。 I really enjoyed this book。 The main characters were all sympathetic， with perhaps the exception of Jean's needy， judgemental mother。 I disliked the ending because Jean's decision about the story didn't make sense。 。。。more
Clementine
，
3。5 🌟
Katie
，
Actually 3。75
Amy Eva
，
So fantastically readable but I was disappointed by the story。 Chambers writes the time period with such great evocation， and romantic and sexual tension too， but does not write romance with the same enthusiasm。 Her descriptions of romance were reminiscent of her descriptions of hospitals and doctors。 The story left some to be wanted but as was expected with a virgin birth story。 It was predictable， but pleasantly so。 The book felt homely， cosy， and indeed was a small pleasure itself。
Hugh
，
Longlisted for the Women's Prize 2021This is the third of the seven books I decided to read following the announcement of the Women's Prize longlist， and the most enjoyable of the three。 Its setting is suburban Kent in the late 1950s， and there is a timeless quality about the writing and construction which seems fitting。 The only reason I didn't give it a five star writing is that some of the plotting is a little too visible。As she explains in her afterword， two real events contributed to the in Longlisted for the Women's Prize 2021This is the third of the seven books I decided to read following the announcement of the Women's Prize longlist， and the most enjoyable of the three。 Its setting is suburban Kent in the late 1950s， and there is a timeless quality about the writing and construction which seems fitting。 The only reason I didn't give it a five star writing is that some of the plotting is a little too visible。As she explains in her afterword， two real events contributed to the inspiration for the story。 One was a 1955 newspaper competition to find a virgin mother， which found one woman who passed all of the medical tests apart from the final skin graft， and secondly the Lewisham train crash of 1957 in which 90 people died， which bookends the story。The main protagonist Jean is a journalist in her late 30s who works for a local newspaper， and lives with and cares for her mother， who is almost housebound。 She is given the task of investigating a letter from Gretchen Tilbury in which she claims to have borne a child whose conception coincided with a period in a nursing home where there were very few visitors。 As in the real case， the daughter Margaret is strikingly similar to her mother， and the early medical tests suggest that Gretchen's story may be true。 Alongside this is the story of Jean's relationship with Gretchen's husband Howard， which strengthens as she discovers that their apparently happy marriage is not all that it seems。The mystery is eventually resolved without recourse to anything miraculous（view spoiler）[， and Chambers uses the train crash to avert an overly sentimental resolution。 （hide spoiler）]。The book is strong on character and period detail， and Jean's predicament is handled very sympathetically， as is the apparent miracle at the heart of the story。 。。。more
Janet Kearney
，
Having read the mixed reviews for this novel I wasn’t sure what to expect……but I loved it！ This is my kind of book - beautifully written， quiet， and observational。 Set in S E London in 1957， the story centres around Jean Swinney， a middle-aged single woman living with her elderly mother and working as a features journalist at a small local newspaper。 She is sent out to investigate claims of a virgin birth。 She meets the Tilbury’s – Gretchen， Howard， and Margaret – and her life changes！ The book Having read the mixed reviews for this novel I wasn’t sure what to expect……but I loved it！ This is my kind of book - beautifully written， quiet， and observational。 Set in S E London in 1957， the story centres around Jean Swinney， a middle-aged single woman living with her elderly mother and working as a features journalist at a small local newspaper。 She is sent out to investigate claims of a virgin birth。 She meets the Tilbury’s – Gretchen， Howard， and Margaret – and her life changes！ The book has everything … great characters， a mystery， a love story and a heart-stopping ending！ A must-read！ 。。。more
Gumble's Yard
，
She tried to remember what life was like before she had met the Tilburys just six months ago。 The days had passed without great peaks and troughs of emotion; her job and the domestic rituals that went with each season had been sufficiently varied and rewarding to occupy her。 Small pleasures – the first cigarette of the day; a glass of sherry before Sunday lunch; a bar of chocolate parcelled out to last a week; a newly published library book， still pristine and untouched by other hands; the fi She tried to remember what life was like before she had met the Tilburys just six months ago。 The days had passed without great peaks and troughs of emotion; her job and the domestic rituals that went with each season had been sufficiently varied and rewarding to occupy her。 Small pleasures – the first cigarette of the day; a glass of sherry before Sunday lunch; a bar of chocolate parcelled out to last a week; a newly published library book， still pristine and untouched by other hands; the first hyacinths of spring; a neatly folded pile of ironing， smelling of summer; the garden under snow; an impulsive purchases of stationery for her drawer – had been encouragement enough。She wondered how many years – if ever – it would be before the monster of awakened longing was subdued and she could return to placid acceptance of a limited life。 The journey into love was so effortless and graceful; the journey out such a long and laboured climb。 I read this book due to its longlisting for the 2021 Women’s Prize。 That prize， at its best， uses its longlist to draw in readers （from those more focused on “literary” fiction to those who prefer more of a story） by giving them a number of books that appeal， and then exposes them to a wider range of books。 And overall I would have to congratulate the judges this year for a wide ranging longlist – in themes but also styles （my criticisms would be around the absence of small press fiction and of Asian and Antipodean voices）。This is the author’s first book for 10 years and despite a previous book having won a Romantic Novelist’s Association award， by far her most successful， having earned a “word-of-mouth” reputation last year among readers and reviewers。The main character of the book， set in South East London/Kent in 1957 is Jean Sweeney – a journalist for the （fictional） North Kent Echo where she mainly writes a series of women’s interest columns （general observations， garden and household tips etc）。 Jean lives a quiet and unobtrusive life with her ageing， house bound and dependent widowed mother – feeling that life and love have largely passed her by。The plot of the book is based on two real events in 1957 that the author researched。A small article in the middle pages of the paper on parthenogenesis in other species （and a dramatic headline “Men No Longer Needed for Reproduction”） leads to a reader Gretchen Tilbury writing in to say that she has always been convinced that her （now ten year old） daughter was born without any man being involved。 Jean is sent to investigate and finds out that the supposed virgin birth took place while Gretchen was a bed bound invalid in a Nursing and Convalescent Home。 Despite her obvious initial scepticism， she is quickly won over by Gretchen’s apparent honesty。 Further the initial scientific evidence 9jean quickly involves some of the researchers involved in the initial article） cannot disprove Gretchen’s claim and those who were in the home at the same time （either as patient or staff） both vouch for Gretchen’s fundamental honesty and fail to see any more rational explanation for her pregnancy。She is also gradually drawn to and welcomed into Gretchen’s household – her understated older husband Howard （who runs a small jewellers and who believes implicitly in the story of his wife – who he married when she was a single mother） and the girl Margaret （herself convinced she hears from angels）。 And just as she recognises the contrast between Gretchen’s happier domesticity and her own rather bitter arrangements， she also starts to see a few contradictions or questions in Gretchen’s behaviour。On one level the novel is both a nostalgic one – with a very authentic and evocative setting in the post WWII， pre-swinging sixties years of suburban South East England – and a classic one， drawing with its thoughtful and undramatic prose and understated but deep characterisation on some of the novels of the same period。 And I suspect that explains some of its appeal in a period of lockdown。 One of the key themes though – the role of women as carers is both a timeless one， and with the societal increases in longevity not matched by quality of life， and one perhaps more relevant now than ever。What I liked less about the book was the main narrative。 The set up of Gretchen’s story is interesting but I struggled to see how the author could resolve it satisfactorily – and， for me at least， she did not – with an explanation that seemed to come more from a Victorian melodrama。 And the second true life event which frames the story means that for me at least the end was more than a little telegraphed – although from reviews it seems that other readers found it very effective and affecting。 I really cannot think why something in the book was not moved to be the last page。Overall far from my personal favourite on the longlist – but still a valuable addition。 。。。more
Yasmin Jamal
，
Clare Chambers hooks you immediately with the conceit of this story: the mystery of a virgin birth。 Although the ending was somewhat predictable， the story unfolds seamlessly and moves along at a steady pace。 The lives of the main characters intertwine in many ways， showing the need to take 'small pleasures' in our lives， even at a price that must be paid。 Clare Chambers hooks you immediately with the conceit of this story: the mystery of a virgin birth。 Although the ending was somewhat predictable， the story unfolds seamlessly and moves along at a steady pace。 The lives of the main characters intertwine in many ways， showing the need to take 'small pleasures' in our lives， even at a price that must be paid。 。。。more
Hally
，
3。5 （I'd have rounded up if this hadn't succeeded what will probably be my favourite read of the year。。。a tough act to follow。）Clare Chambers can definitely write。 Her prose is delicate and gently humorous。 The plot of this book， however， was just not quite to my taste in the end。Small Pleasures is an interesting look at women in the 1950s。 Being set in the early years of DNA testing， it casts what seems obvious to us now in a mysterious light。My favourite part of this book was the attention to 3。5 （I'd have rounded up if this hadn't succeeded what will probably be my favourite read of the year。。。a tough act to follow。）Clare Chambers can definitely write。 Her prose is delicate and gently humorous。 The plot of this book， however， was just not quite to my taste in the end。Small Pleasures is an interesting look at women in the 1950s。 Being set in the early years of DNA testing， it casts what seems obvious to us now in a mysterious light。My favourite part of this book was the attention to everyday detail， although I simultaneously found it a bit sad as well as cosy。 Chambers did so well at capturing the insular feel of life pre-internet that it made me feel both nostalgic and a little trapped and unsettled。I'll definitely read more by this author and think this book would be particularly loved by fans of writers like Joanna Cannon。 。。。more
Carolyn
，
I came to the end of Small Pleasures， read the afterword， and by the acknowledgments I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes。 Set in the 50s， Small Pleasures is about Jean， a 40-year-old journalist who isn’t married， has no children， and lives with—and cares for—her mother。 She becomes involved with a family （a mother， her husband and their daughter） who are the subject of a story she’s writing， which ends up changing all their lives forever。 There is a proper plot to this story， a myster I came to the end of Small Pleasures， read the afterword， and by the acknowledgments I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes。 Set in the 50s， Small Pleasures is about Jean， a 40-year-old journalist who isn’t married， has no children， and lives with—and cares for—her mother。 She becomes involved with a family （a mother， her husband and their daughter） who are the subject of a story she’s writing， which ends up changing all their lives forever。 There is a proper plot to this story， a mystery even， which is predictable， but that doesn’t matter because the plot isn’t the thing I find most interesting。 The beauty of this story is in its quieter details: the questions it probes around the things we’re willing to sacrifice for love and our own happiness; the pleasure and happiness that’s often sacrificed in the name of practicality， morality， or duty; the melancholic but beautiful reality of life with all its ups， downs， disappointments， dissatisfactions， and inevitable tragedies。 But， within all of that， there are little moments of wondrous joy， which， in our short， short lives， are nothing short of pure magic。 I’ll be bold and say I think Small Pleasures is （quietly） profound。 。。。more
Charlotte Derrick
，
A
patsy_thebooklover
，
3。5Czytam Women's Prize for Fiction。 Z 16 książek z longlisty 2021 przeczytałam 4。 Do 28 kwietnia， czyli dnia ogłoszenia shortlisty， chciałabym przeczytać jak najwięcej。 Co prawda， długa lista nie jest tak inkluzywna pod kątem pochodzenia autorek jak bym ją widziała， ale powoli zauważam inny trend - związany z reprezentacją społeczności LGBTQ+。O czym jest "Small Pleasures": Londyn， lata 50。 Młoda Szwajcarka， Gretchen， pisze do pewnej gazety， twierdząc， że 10 lat temu zaszła w ciążę bez udziału m 3。5Czytam Women's Prize for Fiction。 Z 16 książek z longlisty 2021 przeczytałam 4。 Do 28 kwietnia， czyli dnia ogłoszenia shortlisty， chciałabym przeczytać jak najwięcej。 Co prawda， długa lista nie jest tak inkluzywna pod kątem pochodzenia autorek jak bym ją widziała， ale powoli zauważam inny trend - związany z reprezentacją społeczności LGBTQ+。O czym jest "Small Pleasures": Londyn， lata 50。 Młoda Szwajcarka， Gretchen， pisze do pewnej gazety， twierdząc， że 10 lat temu zaszła w ciążę bez udziału mężczyzny i jest jedynym biologicznym rodzicem swojej nastoletniej córki。 Gazeta podejmuje temat， sprawa przydzielona zostaje Jean， 40-letniej dziennikarce。 Jean z otwartym umysłem angażuje się w sprawę， spotyka się z Gretchen， jej córką i mężem， dowiaduje się， że kobieta w momencie domniemanego poczęcia córki znajdowała się w ośrodku medycznym， co ma potwierdzać jej tezę o "virgin birth"。 Jean organizuje Gretchen i jej córce badania， jedzie do owego ośrodka， rozmawia ze znajomymi Gretchen z dawnych lat， otwierając Gretchen możliwość powrotu do starych znajomości - innymi słowy - próbuje dowiedzieć się， czy kobieta jest oszustką， czy może faktycznie ewenementem genetyczno-biologicznym。 W całym tym procesie Jean zaczyna angażować się nie tylko w znajomość z Gretchen， ale również z jej mężem。 I na tym poprzestańmy。Muszę przyznać， że dawno żadna książka nie wydała mi się tak absurdalna， a jednocześnie tak wciągająca。 "SP" napisana jest lekko i przyjemnie， chce się wiedzieć， co będzie dalej。 Zaskakujące jest to， że mimo absurdalności z łatwością zaczyna się wierzyć Gretchen i jej otoczeniu。 Oczywiście， szuka się w głowie racjonalnych wyjaśnień tej niecodziennej sytuacji， ale jednocześnie zostawia się tę furtkę dla nonsensu。Zaskoczył mnie również kierunek rozwinięcia akcji， niebezpośrednio związany z enigmatyczną ciążą。 Zaskoczyło mnie to， że 2 przewodnie zdarzenia książki są inspirowane prawdziwymi wydarzeniami。 Jest jedna rzecz， która w tej książce mi się nie podobała i uważam ją za bardzo krzywdzącą， ale nie mogę jej zdradzić， bo byłby to największy spojler świata。Oceniłam tę książkę na 3，5/5 - dobrze się bawiłam， choć obeszło się bez zachwytów， ale i bez rozczarowania。 Taki porządny przeciętniak！ 。。。more
Linda
，
Småmysig och lite spännande om jungfrufödsel， familjer som inte är vad de verkar och hemligheter。
Stace A
，
I liked this book， but I also found it bordering on banal - and I know that's the point， the prosaicness of ordinary life which is highlighted by bursts of small pleasures， but it meant at some points the writing was a little laborious and the novel not pacey。 The characters were very ordinary too， and the unveiling of each of their backstories didn't colour the sepia-toned mood of this novel， if that sounds like a criticism it isn't。 There is a warmth in that， and for all the passing of normal I liked this book， but I also found it bordering on banal - and I know that's the point， the prosaicness of ordinary life which is highlighted by bursts of small pleasures， but it meant at some points the writing was a little laborious and the novel not pacey。 The characters were very ordinary too， and the unveiling of each of their backstories didn't colour the sepia-toned mood of this novel， if that sounds like a criticism it isn't。 There is a warmth in that， and for all the passing of normal life there were nicely placed and written contrasts - a mad aunt， a bizarre mystery and even in one part a new rug。 It was very well done。 The big mystery element of the novel was almost swallowed whole by the lives going on around it， and I thought that was nice - what we thought would be the crux of the novel is really just a way to move the novel along， I liked it and found that it was nicely resolved。 I liked how the mood of the novel， which I described sepia-toned， really fit the time and history and evoked a real sense of place。 A good， warming read。 。。。more
Lily Emerson
，
Ok， this one took me by surprise！ I don’t know when I was last so immersed in a story that I let the narrative clues that I normally hold so fucking tight slide by me。 It wasn’t until the 11th hour （literally the last chapter） that I suddenly realised with a sickening lurch that I had already been told exactly what was going to happen。 Round of applause！ Chambers creates a character in Jean who is so “normal” and yet so very， very compelling。 I absolutely adored her， and she held my attention fo Ok， this one took me by surprise！ I don’t know when I was last so immersed in a story that I let the narrative clues that I normally hold so fucking tight slide by me。 It wasn’t until the 11th hour （literally the last chapter） that I suddenly realised with a sickening lurch that I had already been told exactly what was going to happen。 Round of applause！ Chambers creates a character in Jean who is so “normal” and yet so very， very compelling。 I absolutely adored her， and she held my attention for every page。 Shout it out for women in their late thirties who have been through some shit， feel stuck in a rut， and who do not need a fucking makeover montage。 。。。more
Rosie Hughes
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 I really enjoyed this book。 The period setting of 1957 seemed entirely genuine， I felt sympathy for all the characters and the story line was authentic。But， the ending really spoiled things for me。
Désirée
，
4。5 stars only because I wanted another ending。
Chapter 30
，
Enticed by the reviews， and beautiful cover I'd looked this book up some time ago。 When I initially read the blurb， it didn't jump out as a book I'd normally read but I thought I'd give it a go。 It turns out it's one of my favourite books so far this year。 The main character Jean， a journalist in 1957， leads a limited existence that mainly revolves around her elderly Mother。 When Gretchen Tilbury reaches out to the paper to claim that her daughter is the result of a virgin birth， it takes Jean d Enticed by the reviews， and beautiful cover I'd looked this book up some time ago。 When I initially read the blurb， it didn't jump out as a book I'd normally read but I thought I'd give it a go。 It turns out it's one of my favourite books so far this year。 The main character Jean， a journalist in 1957， leads a limited existence that mainly revolves around her elderly Mother。 When Gretchen Tilbury reaches out to the paper to claim that her daughter is the result of a virgin birth， it takes Jean down an unusual path and her life becomes intertwined with the Tilbury family。The writing is beautiful， tender， and effortless to read from the outset。 I became completely engrossed in the story from the very beginning and raced through the chapters。 It is surprising， charming， and heart-wrenching。 Absolute must read！ 。。。more
Kate Foster
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 This was an abridged audio version on BBC sounds。Years ago I loved Clare Chambers novel Learning to Swim and so I was excited to hear that her latest had been shortlisted for the Women’s Prize and I couldn’t wait to read it。 Small Pleasures is set in the late 1950s and tells the story of Jean， a reporter for a local newspaper who is sent to investigate a story of a virgin birth then becomes friends with Gretchen who made the claim， and her family。 Sadly I found it all a bit flat， rather than bei This was an abridged audio version on BBC sounds。Years ago I loved Clare Chambers novel Learning to Swim and so I was excited to hear that her latest had been shortlisted for the Women’s Prize and I couldn’t wait to read it。 Small Pleasures is set in the late 1950s and tells the story of Jean， a reporter for a local newspaper who is sent to investigate a story of a virgin birth then becomes friends with Gretchen who made the claim， and her family。 Sadly I found it all a bit flat， rather than being a story about the mystery of what happened to Gretchen it became a story about Jean falling for her husband Howard and rather conveniently being able to get together with him when Gretchen runs off with her old flame， Martha。 The mystery is hurriedly solved and then a ridiculous plot twist rounds the whole thing off。 It’s a shame because it’s based in a true story and in a time before the pill， when illegitimacy was common but hidden， Chambers could have explored the familial and social pressure that might lead a young woman to believe in a virgin birth。 Maybe a devout faith might also have played a part， but religion isn’t even mentioned。 In fact for such a unique premise， it’s all just a bit boring。 。。。more
Giovanna Walker
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Going against the tide here， big time。 I can't remember where I saw this book recommended and I put it on my to read list。 I guessed the reason behind the pregnancy early， and the circumstances were。。。。well。。。irksome。 'you think he forced himself on her' A young man who rapes a comatose women and is a 'lovely boy' - yeah ok he was mentally ill， but where is the duty of care？ The book doesn't address this issue （I know， of the times） - he had hovered over other women beds before while they slept。 Going against the tide here， big time。 I can't remember where I saw this book recommended and I put it on my to read list。 I guessed the reason behind the pregnancy early， and the circumstances were。。。。well。。。irksome。 'you think he forced himself on her' A young man who rapes a comatose women and is a 'lovely boy' - yeah ok he was mentally ill， but where is the duty of care？ The book doesn't address this issue （I know， of the times） - he had hovered over other women beds before while they slept。 'he was only a child himself， and whatever he did he did it because he was ill， not evil。。。he was such a lovely boy' The language around the couple too， read like a Mills & Boon & I just COULDN'T take it seriously。 'Your letter just about finished me off'。。。。'I know you are good and wise。。。。I can't give you up'。。。。'they clutched each other。。。。but he was solid as a tree'。。。。'Not everything that is done can be undone'。。。。。Ugh。 Sure it's set in 1957， and perhaps is 'reminiscing' about the 'good old days' when we were all innocents & euphemisms abounded。。。。but。。。。come on。。。。。I skipped SO much of this book。 Would not recommend。 （Maybe I've read too many 'real life' books to suspend my disbelief and judgement。 。。。more
Sandra Hooke
，
I really enjoyed this book about a woman claims to have had a child by immaculate conception and her family’s relationship with the journalist who investigates her story。 An engaging， warm well observed book told with sadness and humility。
Auriel Roe
，
Skillful writing conjures up images of depressing 1950s London。。。rain macs， pea soupers， puddles and strangled respectability。 The protagonist， Jean lives with her elderly mother and makes her liver and onions， mince and potatoes and other beguiling dishes from the past when she returns from work every evening。 Jean is a reporter on a small newspaper and is， one day， given a slightly more interesting story to research: a claim of a virgin birth。 This， in turn， gives her a taste for what appears Skillful writing conjures up images of depressing 1950s London。。。rain macs， pea soupers， puddles and strangled respectability。 The protagonist， Jean lives with her elderly mother and makes her liver and onions， mince and potatoes and other beguiling dishes from the past when she returns from work every evening。 Jean is a reporter on a small newspaper and is， one day， given a slightly more interesting story to research: a claim of a virgin birth。 This， in turn， gives her a taste for what appears on the surface as an idyll of family life and she gets to know the woman making the claim， her husband and Margret， the supposed product of the divine conception。 All is not as it seems， however， as Jean gradually chips toward the truth。 The mystery and detective side make for a compelling read but， much more than that， is the excellent writing。 。。。more
Karen M
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 A beautiful rendition of time and places in the not so distant ， but so very different， past。 I was drawn into the life ， of quiet desperation， of Jean 。 It’s all so marvellously understated but the details capture you ， you sink into her life on the edge of a newspaper 。 Sidelined at work she has to return home each day to her mother ， and tea ， and complaints。 It seems her life will trundle on ， passing her forties ， into her fifties 。 She has surprising depths - determination to uncover the s A beautiful rendition of time and places in the not so distant ， but so very different， past。 I was drawn into the life ， of quiet desperation， of Jean 。 It’s all so marvellously understated but the details capture you ， you sink into her life on the edge of a newspaper 。 Sidelined at work she has to return home each day to her mother ， and tea ， and complaints。 It seems her life will trundle on ， passing her forties ， into her fifties 。 She has surprising depths - determination to uncover the strange story of a virgin birth and abilities like driving ， she drive ambulances in the war。 Meeting Gretchen ， her daughter Margaret ， and husband Howard。 Gentle and similarly sidelined Howard seems to have been been waiting for Jean。 What was the truth of Margaret’s conception becomes an interesting sideline to the love story emerging。The characters range from one trapped in an iron lung ， to a wildly bohemian artist ， all are carefully drawn。 There is a sense of inevitability to the tragedy but I really wish I’d stopped reading before the end 。 So sad。 。。。more
Ligia Stan
，
It baffles me that this book was nominated for any prize。 A mildly charming writing style， with a sort of interesting plot that just fizzles out in the laziest plot twist I have read recently。 All of this topped with a shockingly silly ending that brings nothing to the narrative， if anything， ruining everything built so far altogether。Very disappointing。
Selma
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It's really difficult to write a review about a book that doesn't make you feel much of anything， but here we go。 This is going to be a cold review - you have been warned。 On paper， this book sounded amazing: historical+cultural elements， a mysterious virgin birth story， a main character going through a mid life crisis， and a looming sense of impending doom。 Which probably makes the disappointment of not enjoying it even worse。 I've been trying to analyse why I just couldn't get attached to this It's really difficult to write a review about a book that doesn't make you feel much of anything， but here we go。 This is going to be a cold review - you have been warned。 On paper， this book sounded amazing: historical+cultural elements， a mysterious virgin birth story， a main character going through a mid life crisis， and a looming sense of impending doom。 Which probably makes the disappointment of not enjoying it even worse。 I've been trying to analyse why I just couldn't get attached to this story - it's not a bad one by any means。 But it just didn't make me feel anything。 All I can come up with is that the characters didn't hook me in。 With the exception of Gretchen， everyone seemed very dull。 Not in the 'there's nothing going on in my life to report about' dull， but more in the 'I'm a very pleasant person with linear thoughts， and any anomalies aren't going to be explored any further' kind of dull。 Gretchen was the exception to this as she snagged my attention。 Unfortunately， my curiosity was akin to when you see someone on your local dating app， grow curious about them and swipe right， only for them to swipe left。 It leaves you with a mild sense of disappointment and several forgotten unanswered questions about them。 Is that how dating apps work？ I imagine it's a similar feeling to how this book made me feel。 Distant and indifferent to futures of the characters。What I have learnt from this experience is some books are plot driven， and some are character driven。 I suspect I'm someone more drawn to the latter and maybe that's why mystery books don't really work for me。 If you don't want to read the book， but want to know the mystery behind the virgin birth， here you go: （view spoiler）[ When completely sedated during her time in convalescence， Gretchen was raped by a mentally unwell relative of the head matron。 （hide spoiler）] 。。。more
Olatomi Afilaka
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 A story of forbidden love ， confused sexuality and a virgin birth riddle
Dorothy Corner
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I can't remember when I've been so moved by the characters in a book and so affected by the ending。 I have such love for Jean and Howard， it's difficult to feel they aren't real people。 I can't remember when I've been so moved by the characters in a book and so affected by the ending。 I have such love for Jean and Howard， it's difficult to feel they aren't real people。 。。。more
Abby85
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It was a small pleasure reading this。 I liked the generosity of spirit in this book。
Olivia Winchester
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I've never read anything like this before， and I can definitely see why it is on the Women's Prize long list this year。 I really enjoyed the details and domestic life shown from the 1950s and really felt transported。 I loved the narrative voice and following her life and investigations， and the beauty shown in 'small pleasures'。 The ending was masterfully crafted and I certainly did not expect it， nor how emotionally attached I was to all the characters by the end。 The language used by Chambers I've never read anything like this before， and I can definitely see why it is on the Women's Prize long list this year。 I really enjoyed the details and domestic life shown from the 1950s and really felt transported。 I loved the narrative voice and following her life and investigations， and the beauty shown in 'small pleasures'。 The ending was masterfully crafted and I certainly did not expect it， nor how emotionally attached I was to all the characters by the end。 The language used by Chambers is beautiful without being pretentious， and I hope to read more of her work。 I really enjoyed it， would most definitely recommend it。 。。。more
Jenny
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Listened to this as an audio book。 really enjoyed it。
Reference
google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Small Pleasures
hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Small Pleasures&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft
The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Small Pleasures&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0