Idyllic Novels by Lady Authors

In a sentence as famous as the opening one of "Pride & Prejudice", namely "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife", Jane Austen opens the last chapter of her "Mansfield Park" with "Let other pens dwell on guilt & misery. I quit such odious subjects." Three English lady authors followed the same dictum & produced classics.

Elizabeth Gaskell published "Cranford" (1853)

It has an equally memorable first sentence. "In the first place, Cranford is in possession of the Amazons; all the holders of houses, above a certain rent, are women." It presents a close-knit community of spinsters, who are ready to help those in trouble. The most disturbing thing that happens is the "alleged" sighting of a thief!

Elizabeth Von Arnim, who wrote "The Enchanted April" (1922) was born in Australia but married a German aristocrat, hence the "Von" in her name. After his death, she married the elder brother of Bertrand Russel. In this work, four assorted women of different ages & social status, decide to spend a month together in an Italian Castle. It turns out a hugely enjoyable experience with some surprises thrown in at the end!

Barbara Pym, who was known as the Jane Austen of the 20th Century, published her best known work "Excellent Women" in 1952. 

This novel, unlike the other two above, contains many male characters & is narrated by one of the characters, who says of herself ”I suppose an unmarried woman of just over thirty, who lives alone & has no apparent ties, must expect to find herself interested in other peoples' business." Also one of the women turns out at the end to be not quite "excellent"!