“Excellent Women” by Barbara Pym, published by Penguin Classics on December 26, 2006, is a delightful comedy of manners set in 1950s England. The novel follows Mildred Lathbury, a clergyman’s daughter and an unassuming spinster whose intelligence and supportiveness often go unnoticed. As Mildred becomes entangled with her new neighbors—anthropologist Helena Napier and her charming husband Rocky, as well as the vicar next door, Julian Malory—the narrative unfolds in a series of vivid, humorous, and poignant moments that capture the essence of human life during a time of shifting societal norms. Pym’s shrewd observations and witty dialogue make “Excellent Women” both an entertaining read and a profound exploration of the lives of ‘excellent women’—intelligent, compassionate individuals navigating a world of unspoken expectations.