Bookseller Reviews
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Unexpected second chances and secrets...
If you haven’t read anything by Clare Chambers, “Small Pleasures “ is the one to start with.
I absolutely adored this book, everything from the characters... READ MORE
So, so wonderful
Nothing quite prepare you for this gentle, nostalgic wonder. This is such an unusual story, from the first page you are captivated by the subject matter.
j... READ MORE
An author that everyone should discover
I first discovered Clare Chamber's work when I picked up a copy of In A Good Light in a second hand bookshop. I adored it, and years later it is still one ... READ MORE
1957, the suburbs of London.
Jean is a writer for a local paper, disappointed in love and on the brink of forty, living a limited existence with her truculent mother.
When a Swiss woma... READ MORE
Gentle but poignant
Set in the suburbs of London in the 1950s, the story follows Jean, a journalist as she investigates a story from a young mother, Gretchen, who claims her d... READ MORE
A thoughtful novel
This is a beautifully written, character focused novel that really let impressed me. The initial premise was fascinating and built to a satisfying conclusi... READ MORE
There are few pleasures in our life…
There are few pleasures one might have in a life: a piece of chocolate, hot bath at the end of long day, tangerine shared with best friend. My was undoubt... READ MORE
Synopsis
Shortlisted for The British Book Awards 2022 Pageturner Book of the Year
Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2021
1957, south-east suburbs of London.
Jean Swinney is a feature writer on a local paper, disappointed in love and - on the brink of forty - living a limited existence with her truculent mother.
When a young Swiss woman, Gretchen Tilbury, contacts the paper to claim that her daughter is the result of a virgin birth, it is down to Jean to discover whether she is a miracle or a fraud.
But the more she investigates, the more her life becomes strangely (and not unpleasantly) intertwined with that of the Tilburys: Gretchen herself, her husband Howard - with his dry wit and gentle disposition - and her charming daughter Margaret.
But they are the subject of the story Jean is researching for the newspaper, a story that increasingly seems to be causing dark ripples across all their lives. And yet Jean cannot bring herself to discard the chance of finally having a taste of happiness.
But there will be a price to pay - and it will be unbearable.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Orion Publishing Co
- ISBN: 9781474613880
- Number of pages: 352
- Dimensions: 238 x 162 x 34 mm
- Weight: 564g
Customer Reviews
View allExcellent!
I really enjoyed this and found the focus on this was done so precisely. The main narrative was twisty and turny and this had a fantastic element that was ... READ MORE
An absolute delight
I've read several of Clare Chambers' previous books and loved them. I've been hoping for a new book for some years and at last here it is! Small Pleasures ... READ MORE
A beautiful book, a moving story.
Jean Swinney, works for the North Kent Echo in 1957. She investigates a possible virgin birth by a resident of Sidcup. This is just like a detective sto... READ MORE
5 stars!
I have heard a lot of praise for this book and was intrigued by the subject - an investigation of the possible "virgin birth" by Jean Swinney, a newspaper ... READ MORE
My first Clare Chambers book.
I bought the book because a) it had a good review in a Sunday Supplement and b) it was partly based in a part of Kent where I had lived. I loved the book ... READ MORE
Gentle and gorgeous
Thank you to the publishers for this review copy and to everyone who constantly recommended that I should read this.
I would say this was a very gentle and... READ MORE
5 stars!
I have heard a lot of praise for this book and was intrigued by the subject - an investigation of the possible "virgin birth" by Jean Swinney, a newspaper ... READ MORE
A lovely spellbinding book
This is a book with a difference but I won’t spoil it for you. It touches on feelings and every day occurrences which we all have. I loved every page and d... READ MORE
Interesting read
This is beautifully written - a slow burn but interesting and satisfying story.
Mixed feelings
I'm making my way through the Women's Prize for Fiction 2021 long list, and this was one of the books I was more looking forward to for some reason. Althou... READ MORE
Beautiful Read
With thanks to Netgalley and Orion Books for a digital copy of Small Pleasures. I have read and enjoyed Claire Chambers’ previous works and was delighted t... READ MORE
Hayley’s review of Small Pleasures
All in all an enjoyable book and I really felt like I connected to the characters especially with Jean. I had all sorts of emotions through it from laughte... READ MORE
A glimpse of hope…
I loved this book, it was so delicately written, and beautifully crafted. Not my usual type of read, but one I picked it up I couldn’t stop. It’s a mystery... READ MORE
A perfect balance of character and plot
Already a huge fan of the work of Clare Chambers I was eager to read 'Small Pleasures', her first novel for nine years. By coincidence I had recently read ... READ MORE
A warms and affecting novel set in SOUTH EAST ENGLAND
This novel has been highlighted all over Social Media (which is a great place to find top reads, by the way!) and it is a beautifully set story that really... READ MORE
Very Quaint & Enjoyable
This is the first book of this kind I ever read and I was initially unsure if I would enjoy it but it really doesn’t fall short in it’s reviews! ✨ I really... READ MORE
Sweet and simple
First of all, the cover is extremely gorgeous. The story itself is short and sweet, the sort of thing you can get through within a day. I wasn't blown away... READ MORE
A gentle gem
A well written and researched book. Had to read to end to see the outcome. Enjoyed the gentle narrative and well observed characters.
Unexpectedly brilliant! Very enjoyable read.
‘“Do you think it’s possible to hold two contradictory views at the same time?”
“Perfectly. Religious folk do it all the time.”’
I picked this up on... READ MORE
Disappointing
After seeing so many positive reviews about Small Pleasures I purchased with high expectations! Unfortunately I was left disappointed with the book, didn’t... READ MORE
Favoirite read...
This is by far the book I have enjoyed most this year. I loved that I never knew where the story was going but at the same time the characters were so real... READ MORE
A nostalgic romance with twists
The story is set in the late 1950s focussing on Jean, a single middle-aged journalist, who lives with her mother. She receives a letter from a woman, Gretc... READ MORE
Beautifully written
Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers is a beautifully written fictional story of ordinary people, who lead ordinary lives until unusual circumstances change t... READ MORE
Small Pleasures
Between her job at the local paper, and home life looking after her elderly mother, Jean, an almost 40 year old journalist, is living a life of monotony un... READ MORE
Should have read this first...
Lovely book. Lovely story. Expected more because I read Shy Creatures first. The book starts with the possibility of immac conception and ends in a love st... READ MORE
Beautiful
I couldn’t put it down. Wonderfully written
Hooked from the first page
Couldn’t put it down read it in 48 hours. You get drawn in from the first chapter and need to know what will happen. Brilliant!
Simply A Joy
As the characters gradually intertwined it became clear the parthenogenesis, though central, was over-lit by the wonderful interplay of growing emotional r... READ MORE
Small Pleasures
This wise, witty and humane novel is really impressive. My mother would have been in her early thirties in 1957, so a little younger than Jean, and I cann... READ MORE
i will never stop recommending this book d
I normally don’t cry because of books i get really into them but it’s not like with movies where i’ll be sobbing but THIS BOOK it made me sob. I finished i... READ MORE
Pure Pleasure
I absolutely loved this book from the very start. It builds a picture of Jean's humdrum life , heavily punctuated with looking after her needy, elderly mot... READ MORE
Boring
Let me start by stating that I wouldn’t recommend this book as anything more than a holiday read you pick up at the airport and never finish, letting it gr... READ MORE
Brilliant story of hope…
I wanted this book to go on, I hated the ending, it was too sad for me. I felt transported into Jean’s world as her needs and desires grew. I felt so sorry... READ MORE
One of my favourite authors.
Another fabulous read from this talented writer. Her books are so easy to read and full of things that stay with you long after you have read them.
Verified Purchase