In 1980, when Jane Nardin first came across the novels of Barbara Pym, as she remarks, 'almost no literary criticism had yet been written' of Pym's work, while Dale Salwak, in his epilogue to All This Reading, records the 'appearance since 1985 of twenty full-length book studies or anthologies, with more soon to arrive'. An extraordinary growth of interest, which is now further reflected in the publication of this stimulating collection of nineteen new essays. Part I examines the significance of reading in the novels; Part II is devoted to literary encounters and collaborations in Pym's life and works. Hazel Bell's index successfully draws together the threads running through the contributions by various hands, allowing the reader to trace, for example, references to spinsterhood in the essays of Frauke Elisabeth Lenckos, Katherine Anne Ackley, Barbara Everett, Helen Clare Taylor, Anthony Kaufman, Anne Pilgrim and Barbara Dunlap.

In attempts to pin down Pym's special quality as a novelist, she has been compared to, and with, a quite disparate list of writers, from Jane Austen to Iris Murdoch, Elizabeth Bowen, Elizabeth von Arnim, E. M. Delafield and a whole host of other names, many listed by Lenckos in her introduction. Kaufman compares the rivalry of Belinda and Agatha in Some Tame Gazelle to the humour of E. F. Benson's Mapp and Lucia, and Everett commends Pym's 'high originality' which sets her fiction 'far above the intransigently reactionary ... Angela Thirkell'. Dunlap, tracing the influence on Pym of Charlotte M. Yonge, asserts that 'Pym's fiction is steeped in the work of Yonge' (even the unusual name of the heroine of A Glass of Blessings, Wilmet, is borrowed from a very different heroine of Yonge's).

To what extent are Pym's novels autobiographical, and her well-read heroines reflections of herself? Orphia Jane Allen, writing on 'Reading Pym Autobiographically', comments that 'Pym was aware that she could permit herself to become like Leonora' (in The Sweet Dove Died), but Leonora represents only 'one of the directions an aging, unmarried woman's life could take'. The most obvious incarnation of Pym's own personality is Belinda in Some Tame Gazelle, with her near-obsessive love of literary quotation. Pilgrim notes that, while Archdeacon Hoccleve and Bishop Grote quote aloud, sometimes not very felicitously, and Harriet 'tends to be oblivious to literary references', Belinda 'hardly ever quotes aloud, but silently recollects and meditates upon scores of passages, many of them quite obscure', and Nardin also finds significance in the fact that Belinda keeps her literary references to herself, 'restrained by a sense of personal modesty and strict propriety at once pathological and deeply lovable'. In being made privy to Belinda's interior monologue, the reader is at the same time granted access to the author's own stream of consciousness.

As Ackley points out, Pym 'often blurs the distinction between literature and life', suggesting in various ways that some of her characters have lives outside her fictional world. Dulcie in No Fond Return of Love, who cannot resist prying into people's lives, finds it 'so much safer and more comfortable to live in the lives of others'. Pym's characters, says Ackley, 'view the world as if they, too, were writers', and Nardin writes that 'in Pym's novels, there is a tension between the impulse to read and the impulse to contextualize or interpret'.

The inner monologues of Pym's heroines reveal her own uncertainties and need for reassurance. Pilgrim comments on Belinda's habitual alternation between self-doubt, 'expressed in her diffidence, timidity and constant anxiety', and self-confidence. Everett remarks on the unpretentiousness of Pym's early novels, and adds that the modesty of her approach 'possibly worked to Pym's disadvantage during the period when her manuscripts were being rejected' and 'makes her too easy to dismiss now'. Surveying the six earlier novels, she considers these thoroughly enjoyable but 'probably minor art', while Quartet in Autumn is to her mind a major work. She finds Excellent Women the 'most accomplished,... the most admirably competent', and has a kind word for An Unsuitable Attachment - it 'has a first-rate cat and a wholly believable public library'.

These are only some examples of the many rich insights provided by All This Reading. Further pleasures are provided in the second part of the volume, such as the reproduction in the essay by Paul De Angelis of Pym's letters to him of 1978-9, almost up to the time of her death in January 1980, and of A Year in West Oxfordshire, Pym's contribution to Ronald Blythe's anthology Places of 1981.

Janice Rossen's essay, 'Philip Larkin: Barbara Pym's Ideal Reader', discusses the crucial role played by 'virtually the only fellow writer with whom she discussed her work in progress'. Larkin's influence and advice were clearly of great importance to her: not only was he able to give her very specific and practical advice, but he was a writer of established reputation who treated her as an equal and gave her 'constant reassurances that her work was of extraordinary value'.

And not least, there is an account of thirty years of friendship and collaboration by Hazel Holt, Pym's literary executor, who tells us that she no longer reads Barbara Pym. 'I don't need to. ...once you've read the novels, she is with you forever.'

Eudora Welty found Pym's novels to be "quiet, paradoxical and sad." I think she described them perfectly. All this Reading explores the life, novels and publication of Pym. The book comprises a series of essays by many distinguised contributors. Educated at St. Hilda's college, Osford, she joined the Wrens during WWII and was posted to Naples. Her novels draw on her circle of college friends and her military life. Her writing highlights the theme "only connect" from Howard's End by Forster.
In Katherine Ackley's essay, she suggests Pym's characters are devoted to literature. They recite passages from an Austen novel or a Donne poem. Literature is a source of comfort to them. In John Bayley's essay, he further seees Pym as a comforter. He expands upon Matthew Arnold's theme that great art calms and comforts us, and he cites Pym as such a writer. Bayley notes that Pym's confidence about the sexes comes "from her sense of the arbitrary, almost ruthless, way they join up."
In "A Life Ruined by Literature", Elisabeth Lenckos argues that reading is a central theme in Pym's novels. The related topics of reading, romance and redemption are central in her novels. In A Few Green Leaves, the heroine Emma Howick recalls Austen's Emma. She stars in her own drama of misplaced affection, rejection and humiliation before leaving romantic fantasy behind. Lenckos suggests that Pym's world is like Austen's where the gentlewomen of reduced circumstances in post-war England have moved from manor houses to village cottages, and work part time in gentile jobs as librarians, clerks and social helpers.. "Like Austen's heroines their desire is to find a loving partner with whom to share life...." Those who love literature will find the nineteen essays in All this Reading satisfy every taste in a fine collection.

I really enjoyed this book, although I almost did not buy it because the cover art was too much of a bodice ripper look. The story kept me very interested throughout, however implausible the premise, by the end I was completely IN the story. I would highly recommend this for those who enjoy time travel or futeristic romance as well. I will definately be buying the other book Ms. Miller has written and look forward to her next offerings.

A wonderful ending brings a happy tear to the eye. It was great to see Jonathon finally get back home where he belonged. A touching romance that doesn't get sappy :o)

This book has some of the nicest photos of Bikers and their Tattos that I have ever saw in one place. The pictures are Black and white. The Author chose some really great photos for this one.

In this book, Sandro Miller reminds us of the power of black and white photography. His subjects are at once frightening and vulnerable. His ability to look through these bikers' eyes into their souls is astonishing. Lovers of the photographic art will find themselves enthralled by the skin textures, tatoos, and depth found in these photographs. Beyond a sort of tribal celebration, this work truly conveys the interpretative, emotive capabilities of an outstanding artist. Sandro Miller has joined the elite of America's finest photographers. Bravo!

This book is fabulous. Extremely readable, well thought-out, good advice. A must read for those in the work force!

The examples in this book are so true to life that I instantly recognized characters and conflicts in every chapter. Once I started reading (and it's extremely readable), I began to notice "anxious dynamics" everywhere, just as the author describes them -- in meetings, in office relationships, even in myself. And I've already seen more than once how his suggestions for breaking the anxiety chain can turn an ugly situation around. I recommend this book for everyone who works and especially for those in the ever-so-anxious business of advertising.

I absolutely LOVED this book... ...I've been reading it since I was little! I can NOT get over the stories! I lost the book years ago and am thrilled to be getting it again... it is definitely my favorite and the poems are so easy to get into! I think all kids will love it... it's a great book. Check it out!

This book is SOOO good. It was written for smaller children, but the lessons are incredible even for older children, teens, and adults. The Nonconformist Splat, for example, is about someone who is so "immune" to peer pressure that they do everything the opposite way everybody else does: they jump off a cliff when everybody else decides not to.

This is a wonderfully thorough, insightful, and orchestrated collection of critical essays on America's greatest playwright and his work. I found Stephen Marino's piece to be the most fascinating; a very pleasurable read!

somtimes I like to have an interesting insight to a super book. the superiority of this book was displayed in superflous title. superman himself could not have wtitten a better such a superb book. I read it over supper.

I lost this book years ago and no used dealer can keep it in stock. To see it reprinted is a dream come true.

Tom Miller's Assassination Please Almanac was an extremely valuable reference work when first published in the '70s. Its chronology and other features remain unique and valuable today. It is good to see it available again!!

Very complete and insightful description of basic truths as revealed in the dream world. Enlightenment can be attained through God's gift of dreaming. So easy, and yet so easily missed by most of us. The book is a highly practical and useful tool into reaching great wisdom. Highly recommended.

This book -is- power. The author reveals insightful teachings by examining her dreams and revealing the secrets hidden beneath them. Definitely a primer for people looking to experience infinite realms of awareness.

I waited for what seemed like forever for this book to come out. I was, as usual, very pleased with the plot and the writing skills of Jaye Maiman. With each page, I found myself saying.... "just one more page". The characters in her series continue to develop and grow together and sometimes apart. I have to say that I sometimes am displeased at Robin Miller's reluctance to make a committment to anyone, but, hey... that's her character. In book 4 of the series, I was shocked that she and K.T. actually broke up.... I was extremely pleased to see that K.T. was back (though not completely) in book 5. I can't wait to read book 6 and see what happens next!

There is never a dull moment in any of Jaye Maiman's books, including this one. Fast-paced, accurate, blunt...too many adjectives to list here. I can't wait for the next adventure that Robin Miller has.

If you have seen every episode of year one, you will find nothing new. However, if you haven't taped all the shows and watched them three times over you will enjoy going back a wee bit in time to rural Ireland--the Ireland without bombs and the IRA. A delightful place to spend your spare time.

My Ballykissangel books arrived on spring break from college and I was thrilled to have the time to "devour" them. The characters are so genuine and lovable- I can't wait for the next book to continue the heartwarming journey of a rural village that has become like family to me. Thank you to the writers for a delightful tale.