Our Spoons Came from Woolworths

By: Barbara Comyns

Narrated by: Madeleine Leslay

Pretty, unworldly Sophia is twenty-one years old and hastily married to a young painter called Charles. An artist's model with an eccentric collection of pets, she is ill-equipped to cope with the bohemian London of the 1930s, where poverty, babies (however much loved) and her husband conspire to torment her.

Hoping to add some spice to her life, Sophia takes up with Peregrine, a dismal, ageing critic, and comes to regret her marriage - and her affair. But in this case, virtue is more than its own reward, for repentance brings an abrupt end to the cycle of unsold pictures, unpaid bills and unwashed dishes...

Born and raised in England, Barbara Comyns (1909-1992) was a writer and artist who juggled various creative and entrepreneurial endeavors throughout her colorful life, leaving behind a rich literary legacy.

©2023 SAGA Egmont (P)2023 SAGA Egmont

Critic reviews

I defy anyone to read the opening pages and not to be drawn in, as I was... Quite simply, Comyns writes like no one else.
-- Maggie O'Farrell, author of "Hamnet".

Don’t be fooled by the simplicity

The story is presented in the voice of the guileless Sofia as she navigates love, marriage, motherhood, and the challenges of her life. Her naive but simple & honest voice pull the reader into feeling a deeper story than one she even has the capacity to convey. I enjoyed the writing and the story.

Fascinating this was written in 1950

What a great book. It’s fascinating this was written in 1950. Succinct writing. Harrowing tale. Would make very interesting discussion

Delightful

This book was a joy to listen to. It was over too fast. I will be looking for more from this author

DISCOVERY

Poignant, original and sad. A page turner, charmingly read. A journey down memory lane ,