This is a very British, slow moving, yet engrossing story, based on the book by the same name by Penelope Fitzgerald.
Set in the 1950s, a war widow moves to a small town to open a book store in an abandoned building which has stood empty for many years. For reasons that are never made very clear, everyone seems to hate the idea, particularly the rich bitch who suddenly decides she wants the building for an art center. She has so much influence that she manages to get a special bill passed by the legislature which allows the building to be taken over by the government, and ultimately the widow loses everything, but manages to get back at the town and its residents for her treatment.
In between there are friendships, mentorships, and wonderful narration. scenes between the widow and the town's male curmudgeon are marvelous.
I'd probably give it a 3-1/2 out of 5. Ned would not have liked it at all.
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