According To Queeney

Beryl Bainbridge

Editions

Review

This wise and humorous book is arguably Bainbridge’s best.  It is a great shame that it was not shortlisted for  the Booker Prize, but never mind: after undergoing the ordeal four times she may feel it’s preferable to avoid it; she’ll smoke the cigarettes anyway, tension or no tension.

The eponymous Queeney is Mrs Thrale’s precocious daughter.  Throughout her childhood she observed the extraordinary friendship between her demanding, vivacious mother (who disliked her children) and the shambling, brilliant Dr Johnson.  Bainbridge imagines what they held for each other and presents them and their world with wit and brevity – indeed the eighteenth century is seen to be highly suitable to her skills: the dialogue is superb, and she plainly relishes the conjunction of perversity and mental acuity to be found in her characters.  If Bainbridge’s name were not on this book, one might almost believe it to be written by Penelope Fitzgerald (there could be few greater compliments). As with, say, The Beginning of Spring pbk £5.99, what is not said is almost as eloquent as what is said. - review by Johnny de Falbe

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