Critically acclaimed

Already read? Rate it!

Small Pleasures

byClare Chambers

Genres: Historical fiction LGBTQ+Romance Life-Rediscovery Journeys

Who is this book for? Readers who enjoy character-driven narratives with themes of love and personal growth set in historical contexts.

Topics LoveFriendshipIdentitySurvival

MoodReflective, Bittersweet

Female protagonist

HumorOccasional Humor

RomanceMajor Subplot

Explicit scenesSuggestive Themes

In the best tradition of Tessa Hadley, Kazuo Ishiguro, and Ann Patchettan astonishing, keenly observed period piece about an ordinary British woman in the 1950s whose dutiful life takes a sudden turn into a pitched battle between propriety and unexpected passion. 'With wit and dry humor...quietly affecting in unexpected ways. Chambers' language is beautiful, achieving what only the most skilled writers can: big pleasure wrought from small details.'--The New York Times LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 1957: Jean Swinney is a feature writer on a local paper in the southeast suburbs of London. Clever but with limited career opportunities and on the brink of forty, Jean lives a dreary existence that includes caring for her demanding widowed mother, who rarely leaves the house. It's a small life with little joy and no likelihood of escape. That all changes when a young woman, Gretchen Tilbury, contacts the paper to claim that her daughter is the result of a virgin birth. Jean seizes onto the bizarre story and sets out to discover whether Gretchen is a miracle or a fraud. But the more Jean investigates, the more her life becomes strangely (and not unpleasantly) intertwined with that of the Tilburys, including Gretchen's gentle and thoughtful husband Howard, who mostly believes his wife, and their quirky and charming daughter Margaret, who becomes a sort of surrogate child for Jean. Gretchen, too, becomes a much-needed friend in an otherwise empty social life. Jean cannot bring herself to discard what seems like her one chance at happiness, even as the story that she is researching starts to send dark ripples across all their lives...with unimaginable consequences. Both a mystery and a love story, Small Pleasures is a literary tour-de-force in the style of The Remains of the Day, about conflict between personal fulfillment and duty; a novel that celebrates the beauty and potential for joy in all things plain and unfashionable.

Language

Published on

12/10/2021

Pages

432

Format

ePub

ISBN

9780063091009

Price Comparison

5.39 €

8.99 £

9.79 €

9.89 €

12.99 €

20 £

More books by Clare Chambers

Show all

Clare ChambersPerfect Understanding

Perfect Understanding

by Clare Chambers

Clare ChambersShy Creatures

Shy Creatures

by Clare Chambers

Books similar to “Small Pleasures”

If you enjoyed reading “Small Pleasures” by Clare Chambers, you may also like some of the following books.

Chloe CaldwellWomen

Women

Chloe Caldwell

Sophie MackintoshBlue Ticket

Blue Ticket

Sophie Mackintosh

Virginia HeathNever Fall for Your Fiancée

Never Fall for Your Fiancée

Virginia Heath

Evie DunmoreThe Gentleman's Gambit

The Gentleman's Gambit

Evie Dunmore

Amy TwiggSpoilt Creatures

Spoilt Creatures

Amy Twigg

A. S. ByattPossession

Possession

A. S. Byatt

Donal RyanHeart, Be at Peace

Heart, Be at Peace

Donal Ryan

Freida McFaddenThe Dilemma

The Dilemma

Freida McFadden

Life-Rediscovery Journeys

Life-Rediscovery Journeys invite readers on transformative adventures, where protagonists find new paths and purposes. Ideal for those seeking inspiration and tales of personal growth.

Robyn CarrHarvest Moon

Harvest Moon

by Robyn Carr

Saskia SarginsonHow It Ends

How It Ends

by Saskia Sarginson

Libby PageThe 24-Hour Café

The 24-Hour Café

by Libby Page

Raven KennedyGold

Gold

by Raven Kennedy

Ela LeeJaded

Jaded

by Ela Lee

Katie HollandHunting Briar

Hunting Briar

by Katie Holland

Ann FisherGeschäftsfrau, Hobbyhure, Sexsklavin

Geschäftsfrau, Hobbyhure, Sexsklavin

by Ann Fisher

Tom RachmanThe Imposters

The Imposters

by Tom Rachman

Jill BearupJust Stab Me Now

Just Stab Me Now

by Jill Bearup

Stephen BuoroThe Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa

The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa

by Stephen Buoro

Luna JoyaTides of Time (The Legacy, #0)

Tides of Time (The Legacy, #0)

by Luna Joya

Erin DoomThe Tearsmith

The Tearsmith

by Erin Doom

Toshikazu KawaguchiBefore We Forget Kindness

Before We Forget Kindness

by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Rebecca YarrosIron Flame

Iron Flame

by Rebecca Yarros

Angie CruzHow Not to Drown in a Glass of Water

How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water

by Angie Cruz

Holly SmaleModel Misfit

Model Misfit

by Holly Smale

Ruth ReichlThe Paris Novel

The Paris Novel

by Ruth Reichl

Abi DaréAnd So I Roar

And So I Roar

by Abi Daré

Sanaka HiiragiThe Lantern of Lost Memories

The Lantern of Lost Memories

by Sanaka Hiiragi

Geneva LeeFilthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

by Geneva Lee

Lucinda RileyThe Storm Sister

The Storm Sister

by Lucinda Riley

John StreleckyReconnection- A Third Visit to The Café on the Edge of the World

Reconnection- A Third Visit to The Café on the Edge of the World

by John Strelecky

Laetitia ColombaniThe Braid

The Braid

by Laetitia Colombani

Robert Louis StevensonThe Black Arrow

The Black Arrow

by Robert Louis Stevenson

Kristin HannahNight Road

Night Road

by Kristin Hannah

David MitchellCloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas

by David Mitchell

Ella BermanThe Comeback

The Comeback

by Ella Berman

Hanya YanagiharaThe People in the Trees

The People in the Trees

by Hanya Yanagihara

Carol Ann DuffyThe World's Wife

The World's Wife

by Carol Ann Duffy

Clare Richards, Yeon SominThe Healing Season of Pottery

The Healing Season of Pottery

by Clare Richards, Yeon Somin

Show all

Award Winning Literature

Step into the world of **Award Winning Literature books**, where every page resonates with excellence and acclaim. These books have not only captured the hearts of readers but have also been recognized by prestigious literary awards.

J. K. RowlingHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: MinaLima Edition

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: MinaLima Edition

by J. K. Rowling

Veronica RothDivergent

Divergent

by Veronica Roth

Delia OwensWhere the Crawdads Sing - Collector's Edition

Where the Crawdads Sing - Collector's Edition

by Delia Owens

Anthony DoerrAll the Light We Cannot See

All the Light We Cannot See

by Anthony Doerr

Frank HerbertDune

Dune

by Frank Herbert

William GoldingLord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies

by William Golding

Charlotte BrontëJane Eyre

Jane Eyre

by Charlotte Brontë

V. E. Schwab, V.E. Schwab, Victoria SchwabThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

by V. E. Schwab, V.E. Schwab et al.

E. B. White, Guillermo Solana AlonsoCharlotte's Web

Charlotte's Web

by E. B. White, Guillermo Solana Alonso

Madeline MillerCirce

Circe

by Madeline Miller

John SteinbeckOf Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

by John Steinbeck

Bram StokerDracula

Dracula

by Bram Stoker

Christopher PaoliniEragon

Eragon

by Christopher Paolini

Frances Hodgson BurnettThe Secret Garden

The Secret Garden

by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Christina Lamb, Malala YousafzaiI Am Malala

I Am Malala

by Christina Lamb, Malala Yousafzai

Taylor Jenkins ReidDaisy Jones and The Six

Daisy Jones and The Six

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Jennifer L. ArmentroutFrom Blood and Ash

From Blood and Ash

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Erin MorgensternThe Night Circus

The Night Circus

by Erin Morgenstern

Kurt VonnegutSlaughterhouse 5

Slaughterhouse 5

by Kurt Vonnegut

Holly JacksonA Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Collectors Edition

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Collectors Edition

by Holly Jackson

Madeleine L'EngleA Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time

by Madeleine L'Engle

André AcimanCall Me By Your Name

Call Me By Your Name

by André Aciman

Charles Dixon, J.R.R. TolkienThe Hobbit

The Hobbit

by Charles Dixon, J.R.R. Tolkien

Lucy Maud Montgomery, Lucy M. . MontgomeryAnne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables

by Lucy Maud Montgomery, Lucy M. . Montgomery

Karen M. McManusOne of Us Is Lying

One of Us Is Lying

by Karen M. McManus

Patrick RothfussThe Name of the Wind

The Name of the Wind

by Patrick Rothfuss

Alice OsemanHeartstopper Volume 1

Heartstopper Volume 1

by Alice Oseman

Sarah J. MaasCrown of Midnight

Crown of Midnight

by Sarah J. Maas

William ShakespeareHamlet

Hamlet

by William Shakespeare

Roald DahlCharlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

by Roald Dahl

Show all

Historical fiction

Step back in time with our captivating selection of historical fiction books. From the intrigue of the Renaissance to the tumultuous eras of the twentieth century, these narratives bring history to life with vivid storytelling and rich detail.

Aedi Abraham, Alejo García Moreno, Charles Dickens, federico alonso, Francisco Manuel GRANADO CASTRO, Fred BARNARD, Hablot K. BROWNE, jaime arbe, J. J. Bernier, Jose perez, Juan Ramon Torregrosa, Juan Ramon Torregrosa Torregrosa, Julius Julius Seybt, Julius Seybt, Laura Santamaria, leonardo pablo federico sanchez alonso, Marion Leighton, maxi sanchez, Miguel Muñoz, monica alonso, Salustiano Masó Simón, Victor G AmbrusA Tale of Two Cities

A Tale of Two Cities

by Aedi Abraham, Alejo García Moreno et al.

Alice WalkerThe Color Purple

The Color Purple

by Alice Walker

Nathaniel HawthorneThe Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Milan KunderaThe Unbearable Lightness of Being

The Unbearable Lightness of Being

by Milan Kundera

Erich Maria Remarque, Frank MullerAll Quiet on the Western Front

All Quiet on the Western Front

by Erich Maria Remarque, Frank Muller

Isabel WilkersonCaste

Caste

by Isabel Wilkerson

Joseph ConradHeart of Darkness

Heart of Darkness

by Joseph Conrad

Julia QuinnBridgerton: Romancing Mr Bridgerton

Bridgerton: Romancing Mr Bridgerton

by Julia Quinn

Octavia E. ButlerKindred

Kindred

by Octavia E. Butler

John le CarréTinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

by John le Carré

Eleanor CattonThe Luminaries

The Luminaries

by Eleanor Catton

Anthony Doerr, Laura Vidal SanzCloud Cuckoo Land

Cloud Cuckoo Land

by Anthony Doerr, Laura Vidal Sanz

Kate QuinnThe Rose Code

The Rose Code

by Kate Quinn

Kate MortonThe House at Riverton

The House at Riverton

by Kate Morton

Johanna SpyriHeidi

Heidi

by Johanna Spyri

F. Scott FitzgeraldThe Beautiful and Damned

The Beautiful and Damned

by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Taylor Jenkins ReidThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Emma DonoghueThe Wonder

The Wonder

by Emma Donoghue

Ken FollettThe Evening and the Morning

The Evening and the Morning

by Ken Follett

Bernard CornwellThe Winter King

The Winter King

by Bernard Cornwell

Charmaine WilkersonBlack Cake

Black Cake

by Charmaine Wilkerson

Anna Holmwood, Jin YongA Hero Born

A Hero Born

by Anna Holmwood, Jin Yong

Alice HoffmanThe Book of Magic

The Book of Magic

by Alice Hoffman

Morris Heather, Morris, Heather (Screenwriter)The Tattooist of Auschwitz

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

by Morris Heather, Morris et al.

Hernán DíazTrust

Trust

by Hernán Díaz

Show all

LGBTQ+

Discover a vibrant collection of LGBTQ+ books that celebrate diverse voices and experiences. Whether you're seeking inspiring coming-out stories or exploring the rich tapestry of queer romances, our selection offers something for every reader.

Casey McQuistonOne Last Stop

One Last Stop

by Casey McQuiston

Alice OsemanHeartstopper Volume 2

Heartstopper Volume 2

by Alice Oseman

Alice OsemanHeartstopper Volume 4

Heartstopper Volume 4

by Alice Oseman

Tennessee WilliamsA Streetcar Named Desire

A Streetcar Named Desire

by Tennessee Williams

Alice OsemanLoveless

Loveless

by Alice Oseman

Virginia WoolfOrlando

Orlando

by Virginia Woolf

James BaldwinGiovanni's Room

Giovanni's Room

by James Baldwin

Bethan RobertsMy Policeman

My Policeman

by Bethan Roberts

Alice OsemanThe Heartstopper Yearbook

The Heartstopper Yearbook

by Alice Oseman

Alice OsemanThe Heartstopper Collection Volumes 1-3

The Heartstopper Collection Volumes 1-3

by Alice Oseman

Alice OsemanHeartstopper Volume 3

Heartstopper Volume 3

by Alice Oseman

Armistead Maupin, Armistea MaupinTales Of The City

Tales Of The City

by Armistead Maupin, Armistea Maupin

Casey McQuistonRed, White & Royal Blue

Red, White & Royal Blue

by Casey McQuiston

Alice OsemanNick and Charlie

Nick and Charlie

by Alice Oseman

Alice OsemanRadio Silence

Radio Silence

by Alice Oseman

Alice OsemanThis Winter

This Winter

by Alice Oseman

Armistead Maupin, MaupinMore Tales Of The City

More Tales Of The City

by Armistead Maupin, Maupin

Hanya YanagiharaA Little Life

A Little Life

by Hanya Yanagihara

Annie ProulxBrokeback Mountain

Brokeback Mountain

by Annie Proulx

Rainbow RowellAny Way the Wind Blows

Any Way the Wind Blows

by Rainbow Rowell

Shelley Parker-ChanShe Who Became the Sun

She Who Became the Sun

by Shelley Parker-Chan

Casey McQuistonI Kissed Shara Wheeler

I Kissed Shara Wheeler

by Casey McQuiston

C. S. PacatDark Rise

Dark Rise

by C. S. Pacat

Caroline O'DonoghueThe Rachel Incident

The Rachel Incident

by Caroline O'Donoghue

Alexis Hall10 Things That Never Happened

10 Things That Never Happened

by Alexis Hall

Aiden ThomasCelestial Monsters

Celestial Monsters

by Aiden Thomas

Show all

Romance

Step into a world where hearts flutter and emotions run high with our captivating selection of romance books. From tales of timeless love to modern-day fairy tales, these stories promise to sweep you off your feet.