Some Tame Gazelle cover art

Some Tame Gazelle

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Some Tame Gazelle

By: Barbara Pym
Narrated by: Patience Tomlinson
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About this listen

It was odd that Harriet should always have been so fond of curates. They were so immature and always made the same kind of conversation. Now the Archdeacon was altogether different...'Together yet alone, the Misses Bede occupy the central crossroads of parish life. Harriet, plump, elegant and jolly, likes nothing better than to make a fuss of new curates, secure in the knowledge that elderly Italian Count Ricardo Bianco will propose to her yet again this year.

Belinda, meanwhile has harboured sober feelings of devotion towards Archdeacon Hochleve for thirty years. Then into their quiet, comfortable lives comes a famous librarian, Nathaniel Mold, and a bishop from Africa, Theodore Grote - who each take to calling on the sisters for rather more unsettling reasons.

©1950 Barbara Pym (P)2012 Magna Classics Funny

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All stars
Most relevant  
Everything you might expect to find in a Pym novel is present in abundance in this tale of two unmarried sisters living together in a quiet English village. Set in the early 1950s life revolves around the church, its clergy and a congregation amply furnished with spinsters.

It is slow to get going but the gentle humour and wistful musings about love soon appear as the cast of characters are skilfully introduced. Before long the charm of a simple story well told takes over and Pym’s characters come to life. A reading of outstanding poise and insight enhances the experience.

Slow start, rewarding after tea

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Such an easy “read” as always. Beautifully written. Nice and pleasant narration. Barbara Pym never disappoints.

Excellent

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Great rendition of this wonderful book- beautifully observed, magnificently understated. They don’t write ‘em like this anymore. Lovely reading by Patience Tomlinson

Brilliant

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The narrators male voices really grated on me, I had to persevere to reach the end of the story

Comforting story of life as it was in the 50s

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Barbara Pym is an excellent writer. Her characters are superbly crafted and her sense of humour is subtle and exquisite!

A Masterpiece

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Barbara Pym is a sly, latterday Jane Austen, puncturing pomposity with understated wit and compassion.

witty period piece

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Interesting insight into the background of her characters. Antonia Beamish has a pleasing voice but stumbles occasionally which is unprofessional, as she could have re-recorded those blips, in addition to one or two howlers of mis-pronunciation. OUDS (Oxford University Dramatic Society) should rhyme with “crowds” but it was read out a OODS to rhyme moods. Ouch! Also, St Edmund Hall (which should have no ‘s’) was read aloud as St Edmund’s Hall. How can a narrator blithely undertake to read and make public a performance so carelessly? In spite of this I enjoyed listening to the book.

Th inside story

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It's about the behaviour of the characters. Deliciously observant, delicately ironic, nicely read. If you enjoy Mapp and Lucia and if you love Somerset Maugham for his lack of illusions, this is for you. (If you require action and excitement, it's not). A wonderfully enjoyable listen which is hardly dated at all, because it is about people who are very believable.

Despite the headline I am giving the story two stars, as I don't want to drag the rating down.

It's not about the story...

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This is my third and favourite Barbara Pym to date. I am so looking forward to reading more. The narrator was perfect in bringing the characters to life.

Wonderful

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I've loved this book for years. Hearing it read aloud gave me a new appreciation of all the humour and the little details and nuances which sometimes don't get picked up when read for oneself.

What did you like best about this story?

Don't look for an exciting plot line - there isn't one. Instead it's just a magnificent portrait of life in a small English village in the 1950s. Pym's first published work, this was written when she was comparatively young, and imagining herself, her sister and friends as much older incarnations of themselves. The result is a wonderfully funny and sometimes unexpectedly touching picture of how she thought they might all turn out one day. It's a joy.

Which character – as performed by Patience Tomlinson – was your favourite?

All characters are well written, and I was so pleased that Patience Tomlinson does them full justice.

Even better when read aloud!

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