THE SOUL OF KINDNESS

by Elizabeth Taylor ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 12, 1964

A softly-shaded portrait of a lady is achieved through the fond glances and permissive pretenses of her friends and family, although as someone remarks toward the close- ""Someone always has to look after Flora, and let her think she's looking after them."" For Flora, whose mother has cosseted her since childhood, basks in the admiration of all; she has a Botticelli beauty and sanctity, a gracious composure which nothing has been permitted to disturb. Those around her are less privileged; her mother who has given her up generously to her son-in-law and whose empty days now are filled by fretful concerns for her health; her friend Meg, drifting into spinsterhood; Meg's brother, Kit, who has always adored her, and in whom she has encouraged notions of a talent he does not have; her husband, Richard, who entertains occasional disloyal thoughts and who escapes to the reality of a neighbor's companionship and conversation. Suddenly Flora's world is threatened (by the loss of her housekeeper; Richard's imagined defection; Kit's attempted suicide) but it is returned to her even though all around her now know the extent of her benevolent victimization... Miss Taylor, as always, within a distinctly feminine province, provides considerable serendipity; among the small pleasures again in evidence are the ironic insights, the pointed contrasts and the niceties of phrase.

Pub Date: June 12, 1964

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Viking

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1964

Categories: FICTION