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The protagonist manages his finances with a strict weekly allowance, carefully allocating funds for various personal expenses such as cigarettes, laundry, and transportation. This meticulous budgeting reflects his resourcefulness and satisfaction with his modest lifestyle, showcasing a theme of contentment despite limited means. Through this approach, he demonstrates a pragmatic attitude towards life and personal responsibility.
"It's in my mind to put an end to this heathen wickedness that's stalking abroad through Gillenham. It's in my mind to terrify that evil man from his morrow's sinful doings." "We'll be going to Old Manor, then?" "Not yet," said Mrs. Pye grimly. "We go first to the village. To rouse the women . . ." Professor Pounce arrives in the idyllic village of Gillenham, along with his sister-in-law, his nephew Nicholas, and Carmen, his voluptuous assistant, in single-minded pursuit of the Stone of Chastity, a stepping stone in the local stream reputed to trip up impure women. His interest is cold-bloodedly scientific, but his researches, including putting the village women to the test and documenting the results, are taken rather more personally by some, including the Vicar's wife, who enlists the Boy Scouts to help suppress his efforts, and stern Mrs. Pye, possessed with the soul of an inquisitor. Ultimately, it's young Nicholas who must try to assuage the villagers' outrage, all the while coping with the repercussions of his own amorous impulses. The Stone of Chastity, first published in 1940 and inexplicably out of print for decades, is perhaps the deftest (and daftest) of Margery Sharp's many dazzling, witty social comedies. 'Miss Margery Sharp's witticisms lift the otherwise flat and unprofitable life of the village of Gillenham to the level of a bubbling champagne-glass full of laughter' New York Times
Lisbeth Campion was engaged, as usual, in resisting advances. Arthur Alfred Partridge, a middle-aged widower with a drab job and a frustrated sense of adventure, gets more than he bargained for when he encounters the irresistible Lisbeth Campion, whose troubles go well beyond her plethora of suitors. She's particularly concerned about her wastrel brother Ronny, fresh from six months in prison for peddling cocaine (he thought it was baking powder, really he did!), with whom her stern, upright Army fiancé, expected back from India soon, has forbidden her further contact. In a gloriously implausible but deliciously entertaining sequence of events, Mr Partridge gets swept up in Lisbeth's unusual efforts to get Ronny safely squared. In the meantime, these three eccentric souls set up makeshift housekeeping in London and work at odd jobs (some very odd indeed) to make ends meet. Harlequin House, first published in 1939 and out of print for more than 60 years, has all the glitter and wit readers expect from the incomparable Margery Sharp. This new edition features an introduction by twentieth-century women's historian Elizabeth Crawford.
Eine charmante literarische Wiederentdeckung aus dem England der Dreißigerjahre – neu übersetzt von Wibke Kuhn. Cluny Brown begeht einen Fauxpas nach dem anderen: Sie nimmt ihren Nachmittagstee im Ritz und bleibt einen ganzen Tag Orangen essend im Bett. Sie weigert sich, den ihr zugewiesenen gesellschaftlichen Platz einzunehmen. Um sie zur Vernunft zu bringen, schickt ihr Onkel, ein Klempner und Erziehungsberechtigter, sie als Stubenmädchen in eine aristokratische Familie aufs Land. Dort begegnet Cluny Sir Henry, dem Inbegriff eines englischen Landadeligen, und seiner Gattin Lady Carmel, die das Anwesen mit Charme leitet. Ihr Sohn Andrew lernt in London einen polnischen Schriftsteller kennen und bringt ihn nach Friars Carmel, um ihn vor den Gefahren des drohenden Krieges zu schützen. Während alle versuchen, mit den Herausforderungen einer sich schnell verändernden Welt Schritt zu halten, bleibt Cluny einfach Cluny und steckt die anderen mit ihrer Lebenslust an. „Perfektes, Kichern provozierendes Liegestuhllektüre-Material.“ (Frankfurter Rundschau) „Eine außergewöhnliche Erzählerin und meisterhafte Beobachterin.“ (Elizabeth Bowen) „Ein pointierter und kurzweiliger Roman über eine herrlich unangepasste Frau, die auf gesellschaftliche Konventionen pfeift.“ (BR, Bayern 2)
Bianca and Bernard, agents for The Prisoners' Aid Society of Mice, rescue prisoners and outwit villains in this enchanting story, made world-famous by the Walt Disney film.
Contains 'The Rescuers', 'Miss Bianca' & 'The Turret'. Miss Bianca devises a plan to rescue a poor, languishing poet from the dark walls of the Black Castle. A little girl of eight is kidnapped by the wicked Grand Duchess. Can the Rescuers save her? Though the rest of the Prisoners' Aid Society vote against her, Miss Bianca is still determined to rescue the notorious tyrant, Mandrake. But does he repent his evil deeds?
Zeit der Versuchung/Witwe bis auf Widerruf/Percy auf Abwegen - Drei Romane in einem Band - bk1152; Ullstein Verlag; Evelyn Peters/Margery Sharp/Hans Thomas; pocket_book; 1991
