The Barforth Women

Alternately titled "The Barforth Women", this continues the saga of the family, but is centered around the Aycliffe sisters, annoyingly strident Prudence, cast much in the mold of her Aunt Hannah, annoyingly persnickety Celia, who thoroughly bought into the teachings and philosophies of her father, and Faith, the narrator, whose cool, serene exterior hides a sensual, passionate rebel, and who at one point describes herself as "just a woman who loves Nicholas Barforth, nothing more". As things turn out, there is considerably more to Faith. If you like Brenda Jagger, you may, as I do, consider this one of her best novels, rife with subtext and rich characters, some of them delightfully irritating. Marriage is again a central theme, featuring some cautionary tales that could bear titles such as: "too much too soon", "don't wait too long or you might have to settle for what's left" and "be careful of what you want--you just might get it". As Prudence's situation becomes more comic, Celia's descends into tragedy. And that is to say nothing of Faith's own roller-coaster ride through first love, heartbreak, widowhood, remarriage, and final triumph.