mrs palfrey at the claremont book review

It is no wonder that they jump at each small diversion, such as the rare visits of relatives. The residents have little to entertain them, the food is always the same, in the evenings they sit down to knit or read or watch tv, and the long afternoons are spent walking by Mrs Palfrey.

Life at the Claremont consits of almost oppressing boredom and routine. However, there is also humour and sometimes even affection for her characters apparent in her writing. Her observations are unrelenting and brutal and all the better because of it. The description of Mrs Palfrey is really not very flattering but I found that this just adds to the authenticity of the character, and Taylor is not afraid of portraying the characters and their life with grim honesty. Mrs Palfrey is described as looking too big, with huge hands and strong features, and that she would have made a distinguished man. There is Mrs Palfrey´s dismay at her untrustworthy legs, the loneliness, and the fact that they often feel like they are only waiting for death.

Some of it applies more to the 1970s, what with people really living in hotels (I don´t think that´s really done anymore, except maybe for rich people in movies), but most of it is universal. Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont gives us a glimpse into old age. Then one day Mrs Palfrey strikes up an unexpected friendship with Ludo, a handsome young writer, and learns that even the old can fall in love… () Together, upper lips stiffened, they fight off their twin enemies: boredom and the Grim Reaper. Her fellow residents are magnificently eccentric and endlessly curious, living off crumbs of affection and snippets of gossip. On a rainy Sunday in January, the recently widowed Mrs Palfrey arrives at the Claremont Hotel where she will spend her remaining days. If you see a copy of this book that has the movie cover, don´t let it scare you off, it´s a wonderful book and I think the cover above does it much more justice. First things first: This is not THE Elizabeth Taylor (except maybe to hardcore lit fans!? 😉 ), but a very talented and well-known author, and even lauded as the Jane Austen of the 20th century.

Mrs palfrey at the claremont book review