Phyllis Brett Young (1914–1996)

This book was groud-breaking when written in the 1960s because it was an early example of writing about the "female malaise" of women who are under-employed intellectually and spiritually by life as a suburban housewife. Karen's life revolves around buying new carpeting and managing relationships with liked and unliked neibhbours. She is unhappy, but can't really say why. She is looking for something new, but can't really say what. As well as being a look at our not-so-distant past, this is an interesting story of one woman's struggle to enjoy her life.… (més)

Published to considerable acclaim in 1960, The Torontonians was a Canadian bestseller. The book's dust-jacket describes the novel as "a brilliant presentation of the immediate predicament in which we all find ourselves, with Toronto the kaleidoscope through which we view it. To some this novel will be no more than a cynical glimpse behind the city's staid facade, to others simply a modern drawing-room comedy or a delightful picture of successful marriage; to many it will be a nostalgic memoir of the past thirty years, to many more a penetrating analysis of the contemporary social scene." The commentary adds, :these people are called Torontonians -- and their city is unmistakably Toronto during its period of fantastic growth in size and sophistication".

Newly received and just added to the reading pile.… (més)