The Pleasure of Her Company | The Pleasure of Her Company

At a glance:

Author: Jane Smiley
First Published: 1981
Type of Plot: Social realism
Time of Work: Probably the 1970's
Setting: An American university town
Principal Characters: Florence, Frannie Howard, Philip Howard, Bryan
Genres: Social realism, Short fiction
Subjects: 1970’s, United States or Americans, Homosexuality or homosexuals, Marriage, Friendship, Lesbianism or lesbians, Divorce, Colleges or universities, Miscarriage
Locales: United States

When Philip and Frannie Howard move into the old Victorian house next door, Florence is immediately taken with her neighbors, especially Frannie. The two women become friends, and Florence spends more and more of her time at the Howards’ house. Florence's time with the Howards is a series of seemingly tranquil domestic moments: drinking coffee at the maple kitchen table, easy conversations while preparing dinner. The women talk of everything, it seems, except marriage, which is a mystery to Florence. Frannie never shares confidences about Philip or their life...

The Pleasure of Her Company | The Pleasure of Her Company

At a glance:

The Story

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