All This Richness: Short Stories by Barbara Pym and Her Readers
Edited by Kathy Ackley

© 2024 by the Barbara Pym Society
Paperback, 224 pages
ISBN 979-8-218-42830-3
$12 plus $4.75 S&H to addresses in the USA
£10 plus £3 P&P to addresses in the UK

Barbara Pym found richness in all that she observed and heard, from which she created a fictional world that is engaging and entertaining. That world is also a source of inspiration for her readers.  Three stories by Pym herself begin this anthology. Following these are several in the Pym style and then twenty-two featuring characters from her novels. Authors of the stories by Pym’s readers include eleven from England, one from Northern Ireland, two from Wales, one from Scotland, one from Canada, and nine from the United States.

The stories in this anthology, from those by Pym herself to those composed in her manner and those using her characters, exemplify the fertile imaginations of Barbara Pym and those she inspired.

 

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Contents

SHORT STORIES BY BARBARA PYM
Poor Mildred. Miss Helen Tillotson schemes to thwart the growing relationship between her brother and the attractive young widow next door.
They Never Write. Abigail waits for a letter from Orlando, while her mother encourages her to be friendly to the new curate.
The German Baron. On holiday, Miss Harriet Moat is jealous of her companion, whose company the German Baron appears to prefer over hers.

THE PYM CENTENARY SHORT STORY COMPETITION
Archeology in the Afternoon by Ros Cleal. Anna attends her friend’s archaeology lecture, meets a new man, and contemplates a promising future.
Knowing the Type by Sarah Evans. A beautiful new member of her creative writing group dazzles everyone but Sheila.
Still Life with Nora by Martha Taylor. Historian Nora develops a crush on a much younger web designer at the historic home where she works.

THE ELLEN J. MILLER MEMORIAL SHORT STORY COMPETITION
An Exhausting Number of Blessings by Diane Alimena. Everard makes a surprising announcement just as a tired Mildred has fabricated a reason to take a short break away from home.
Featherweight by Janet Gilbert. While Catherine knits booties and Alaric worries about impending fatherhood, Digby gives helpful advice.
Mirror, Mirror by Deb Fisher. When Allegra Gray asks her butler Wilf Bason for make-up recommendations, he reluctantly suggests Wilmet’s shade of foundation.
Prudence Holds the Fort by Kate Blackadder. Prudence struggles to cope when an emergency leaves her in charge of her friend’s children.
A Few Green Peas by K. Blanton Brenner. Jessie Morrow convinces Miss Doggett to go to Austria when she overhears Barbara Pym’s plans to travel there.
Excellent Women's Italian Adventure by Judith Evans. Winifred and Mildred take an enchanting tour of Italy, where Winifred meets a potential love interest.
A Quiet Country Life by Rebecca Moden. Belinda delivers parish magazines to villagers and learns secrets about her neighbours.
What Ladies Like by Tanya Aydon. Ianthe lunches with Aunt Bertha while worrying about John’s fidelity.
Jelly Selves by Heather Burt. Making elderberry jelly with Keith, Wilmet discovers something meaningful about herself.
Still in the Game by Jenny Bardwell. Viola volunteers at a stately home to earn a discount card and takes advantage of an opportunity for extra credit.
An Excellent Woman by Ruth Taylor. Mildred plans a small dinner party and volunteers at a church bazaar, where Allegra becomes ill.
Victoria Sponge for the Rising Damp by Betsy Hanson. To raise funds to repair the rising damp in the library, Ianthe, John, and other staff compete in a baking contest.
But the Greatest of These Is… by Maggie Richell-Davies. Belinda goes to unusual lengths to help her beloved Archdeacon.
Fast Falls the Eventide by Charlie Stanbridge. Father Bode corresponds with Mrs Greenhill, who has recently moved to Italy.
Dear Wilmet by Camilla Zajac. Emails from Mary to Wilmet provide a running commentary on how familiar Pym characters are faring during lockdown.
Leonora Recoups by Hope Howell Hodgkins. Leonora recuperates from a broken hip in a nursing home whose chef is Wilf Bason.
The Lady of the Laurel by Rose Little. Now living in Greece, Daphne Dagnall has found love but worries that her brother Tom will not approve.
Best Laid Plans by Kim Velk. At tea with acquaintances living in a grace and favour apartment at Hampton Court Palace, Mildred makes an intriguing new friend.
Mixed Blessings at the British Library by Sarah Holt. On an outing to the British Library, Wilmet has a disappointing lunch and runs into Wilf Bason.
Much More Must Flow by Charles Hansmann. Now in their eighties, Margaret and Francis Cleveland enjoy an evening walk together as Francis recalls seeing Barbara Bird again.
Manna from Heaven by James Craven. Marcia adds lost or abandoned grocery lists to her hoard of stockpiled items.
And All Shall Winners Be by Harriett Diller. Inspired by an Aging Better Together conference, Sybil and Wilmet decide to try intergenerational co-housing.