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juleswells's review against another edition
I think you need to be British to really understand & appreciate this one
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2022/04/14/review-1836-rhododendron-pie/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2022/04/14/review-1836-rhododendron-pie/
paperbacksandpines's review against another edition
3.0
There was no doubt that the Laventies occupied a peculiar position in that pleasant countryside: deep-rooted in Sussex history, they had nevertheless a fantastic strain in their blood which served to alienate that almost entirely from their worthy neighbors
[b:Rhododendron Pie|55941044|Rhododendron Pie|Margery Sharp|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1605765793l/55941044._SY75_.jpg|14666118] is the story of the black sheep of the family, who just wants to live an honest, simple life, instead of aspiring to the pretensions of her family. Ann Laventies, the youngest of the family, goes on a journey of self discovery in this book.
What I like about Sharp's writing is that I can't predict where she's going to go with it. She has a curious mixture of plot and characterizations. I appreciate the writing in this book. A twenty-first century reader who is not born in Britain may have a difficult time understanding the references that were particular to this particular time period and place.
[b:Rhododendron Pie|55941044|Rhododendron Pie|Margery Sharp|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1605765793l/55941044._SY75_.jpg|14666118] is the story of the black sheep of the family, who just wants to live an honest, simple life, instead of aspiring to the pretensions of her family. Ann Laventies, the youngest of the family, goes on a journey of self discovery in this book.
What I like about Sharp's writing is that I can't predict where she's going to go with it. She has a curious mixture of plot and characterizations. I appreciate the writing in this book. A twenty-first century reader who is not born in Britain may have a difficult time understanding the references that were particular to this particular time period and place.
tobyyy's review against another edition
3.0
Unread shelf project 2021: book 66.
At its heart, this is a book about parenting, and how one set of parents’ views on what is normal, acceptable, even lauded, differs from their children’s views as the children age.
At least, that was my takeaway, based upon the plot, climax, and ending.
I was confused at the beginning when it was stressed how young Ann was… and then later it was disclosed that she was 20 and her older sister was 25, and her brother somewhere in between. From how it had been narrated at the beginning I thought Ann was closer to 10 or 12. **facepalm**
Aside from that brief bit of confusion, I enjoyed this book, although in the middle it was unclear what direction it was taking, what the purpose of Sharp having written it was. But that became (somewhat) clearer as I read further.
At its heart, this is a book about parenting, and how one set of parents’ views on what is normal, acceptable, even lauded, differs from their children’s views as the children age.
At least, that was my takeaway, based upon the plot, climax, and ending.
I was confused at the beginning when it was stressed how young Ann was… and then later it was disclosed that she was 20 and her older sister was 25, and her brother somewhere in between. From how it had been narrated at the beginning I thought Ann was closer to 10 or 12. **facepalm**
Aside from that brief bit of confusion, I enjoyed this book, although in the middle it was unclear what direction it was taking, what the purpose of Sharp having written it was. But that became (somewhat) clearer as I read further.
kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Not my favorite Margery Sharp but of course I enjoyed it. It's about a family who believes life is a performative act rather than a journey toward personal satisfaction. The younger daughter, Ann, realizes on a trip to London that she embraces the ordinary and wants to make her own choices. This is a bit heavy-handed on some of the messaging and it is a thoughtful statement on society in this time period. I always enjoy a Margery Sharp book. I love Goodreads because it's so heartening to know that 73 others are reading this little-known early twentieth-century novel.
charlielovesbooks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
maplessence's review against another edition
5.0
Firstly, thanks to my very good Goodreads friend, Abigail, for sending me a copy of this book. I enjoyed it very much!
Abigail is a retired proofreader, & all the typos & missed punctuation obviously drove her bonkers as she has put little proofreaders marks right through the book!
Abigail is a retired proofreader, & all the typos & missed punctuation obviously drove her bonkers as she has put little proofreaders marks right through the book!
melindamoor's review against another edition
4.0
This book is right up my alley. Delightful with great characterisation, gentle irony, no forced drama and insight into human nature.
Will definitely check out other books by Margery Sharp.
More detailed review to come.
Will definitely check out other books by Margery Sharp.
More detailed review to come.
lory_enterenchanted's review against another edition
Sharp's first novel was apparently written in one month, and it's a remarkable accomplishment if so! I found Ann quite endearing and her adventures in choosing the right man, and becoming herself against the weight of her overbearing but beloved family, an entertaining diversion. Like all Sharp books that I've read, light but not lacking in depth.
jessreadthis's review against another edition
5.0
Flowers are beautiful in gardens...and in houses, of course... but in a pie you want fruit. Apples. Hot and fragrant and faintly pink, with lots of juice...and cloves. She wished there had been apples in her pie.
Margery Sharp's debut novel started off as a difficult one for me to get into. Her style had such a flourish and seemed to be trying so very hard at an elegant acerbic wit. But the more I learned of the Laventie family... it seemed as though her writing was taking a page out of their personalities. We meet a family so self assured in their superiority over the rest of poor drudges going through life not understanding its artistic complexities, they are an isolated oddity. Though people come and go through Whitesnights, none of these individuals leave a lasting impression or usually gain the approval of the family to take breakfast with them under the garden limes. And as the novel unfolds and relaxes into itself, so does the writing style. I felt it changed right along with the narrator Ann's character evolution. Sharp has a lovely way of describing scenery too. I enjoyed those parts immensely. She captures the possibilities of a summer afternoon outdoors so brilliantly.
Ann Laventie freely acknowledges she isn't as clever or intelligent as her siblings and father. They patronizingly acknowledge in return that she collects people and is too kind to them. Yet, one afternoon, Ann stumbles upon their neighbor, John Gayford and everything changes. She goes to tea with him and begins to change in her self assessment. The rest of the novel follows with Ann going to London to visit her sculptor brother and writer sister. And it becomes a novel of self discovery for Ann. One that changes her and forces her to embrace who she is. And to come to terms with that. And that she will be all right not fitting in with her family. It is a reckoning for her and for her family.
I greatly enjoyed this novel. The ending surprised me but the more I pondered on it, I think it was fitting for the theme of the novel. If you've read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the ending.
Margery Sharp's debut novel started off as a difficult one for me to get into. Her style had such a flourish and seemed to be trying so very hard at an elegant acerbic wit. But the more I learned of the Laventie family... it seemed as though her writing was taking a page out of their personalities. We meet a family so self assured in their superiority over the rest of poor drudges going through life not understanding its artistic complexities, they are an isolated oddity. Though people come and go through Whitesnights, none of these individuals leave a lasting impression or usually gain the approval of the family to take breakfast with them under the garden limes. And as the novel unfolds and relaxes into itself, so does the writing style. I felt it changed right along with the narrator Ann's character evolution. Sharp has a lovely way of describing scenery too. I enjoyed those parts immensely. She captures the possibilities of a summer afternoon outdoors so brilliantly.
Ann Laventie freely acknowledges she isn't as clever or intelligent as her siblings and father. They patronizingly acknowledge in return that she collects people and is too kind to them. Yet, one afternoon, Ann stumbles upon their neighbor, John Gayford and everything changes. She goes to tea with him and begins to change in her self assessment. The rest of the novel follows with Ann going to London to visit her sculptor brother and writer sister. And it becomes a novel of self discovery for Ann. One that changes her and forces her to embrace who she is. And to come to terms with that. And that she will be all right not fitting in with her family. It is a reckoning for her and for her family.
I greatly enjoyed this novel. The ending surprised me but the more I pondered on it, I think it was fitting for the theme of the novel. If you've read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the ending.