Dusty Answer

Dusty Answer, published in 1927, is Rosamond Lehmann's debut novel that became a bestseller after receiving acclaim from Sunday Times critic Alfred Noyes. The book established Lehmann as a significant voice in interwar British literature. The narrative follows Judith Earle, an only child who grows up in a riverside Buckinghamshire house beside a family of five cousins. Her isolated childhood revolves around these neighbors - Julian, Charlie, Roddy, Martin, and Mariella - whose presence and absences shape her early years. The story tracks Judith's journey from her sheltered home life to her experiences at Cambridge's Girton College. Her relationships with both the cousins and her fellow students form the central thread of her coming-of-age. Through Judith's experiences, the novel explores themes of isolation, sexual awakening, and the complex nature of love and friendship in upper-middle-class English society between the wars.

Readers describe the book as a sensitive portrayal of a young woman's emotional development and early relationships. The prose style draws frequent mention in reviews, with many appreciating Lehmann's descriptive language and psychological insights. Likes: - Atmospheric descriptions of university life in 1920s Cambridge - Complex exploration of sexuality and desire - Strong character development - Poetic writing style Dislikes: - Slow pacing, especially in middle sections - Main character seen as self-absorbed by some readers - Plot meanders without clear direction - Dense prose can be challenging to follow Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (80+ ratings) Common reader comments note the book's appeal to those who enjoy Virginia Woolf's style. Several reviewers mention struggling with the pace but finding the emotional payoff worthwhile. A recurring criticism focuses on the protagonist's passive nature and tendency toward melancholy.

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★ Published when Lehmann was just 26 years old, "Dusty Answer" became an overnight literary sensation and scandalized some readers with its frank depiction of bisexuality and female sexuality. ★ The novel's Cambridge scenes draw from Lehmann's own experiences at Girton College, one of only two women's colleges at Cambridge University during the 1920s. ★ Virginia Woolf greatly admired the book and became a mentor to Lehmann, regularly inviting her to gatherings of the Bloomsbury Group literary circle. ★ The book's title comes from a line in George Meredith's "Modern Love": "Ah, what a dusty answer gets the soul/When hot for certainties in this our life!" ★ Despite being out of print for decades, the novel experienced a revival in the 1980s and is now considered a pioneering work in LGBTQ+ literature for its subtle exploration of same-sex attraction.