Palfrey is widowed and somewhat distanced from her daughter and son-in-law, who live in Scotland, and her grandson Desmond who lives in London and works in the British Museum. Palfrey at the Claremont is a moving and sympathetic portrayal of seniors who are at the edge of moving into nursing homes, but who are still physically independent enough to manage at a residential hotel or senior residence. He thought, I mayn’t write it down but please God may I remember it. ‘I don’t see anything sad about you,’ he said. ‘But isn’t that sad?’ she asked doubtfully. Mrs Arbuthnot has been at the Claremont for years.’ Although you seem very much the new girl around here.’ ‘Over there is Mrs Arbuthnot,’ Mrs Palfrey said, in a low voice to Ludo. Ludo leaned back easily, but his eyes were darting to and fro, noting everything, noting Mrs Arbuthnot noting him, and Mrs Post, in her sad pot-pourri colours, fussing over her knitting. Review of the Virago Modern Classics paperback (1982) of the Chatto & Windus hardcover original (1971)
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