3.5 stars. I have very mixed emotions about this book and vacillated between 3 and 4 stars. How could I resist a book set in 1958 about a children’s librarian? I related so strongly to Sylvia as she threw herself into resurrecting a tired children’s library in a small village. And I know how a passionate children’s librarian can change a child’s life, and how rewarding a job it can be.
However, I felt Vickers was trying to channel Barbara Pym’s perfect balance of astuteness and wit in her portrayal of village life in the 50s, but was unsuccessful. She is not Barbara Pym, and Vickers can’t help but let her 21st century sensibilities seep into this story set in 1958 - this is quite jarring and becomes more pronounced as the novel progresses.
I felt Sylvia’s change from a demur innocent to “the other women” without any apparent remorse didn’t feel honest or realistic. The characters stopped being real people and started to become caricatures. It all became a bit overwrought and I really don’t think a woman of Sylvia’s background would have used the language Vickers gave her!
SPOILER……
However, I did like the end where a couple of the child characters unexpectedly meet again, now in their 60s and reminisce about their childhood, and their wonderful children’s librarian. I loved how Vickers shows that the passage of time truly does put life into perspective.
A highlight for me is the list of recommended reading - all these books are books that I devoured as a child, and the list brought back many fond memories.