Though I've read a number of her short stories, "Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont" is the first novel I've read by English author Elizabeth Taylor (not to be confused with the Hollywood actress by the same name), but it won't be my last. From just the few things I've read by her, she's rapidly becoming a favorite of mine. She is such an astute observer of her character's mannerisms, foibles and inner thoughts, that even when there is not much action taking place in a particular scene, you are mesmerized by the access you are given into her characters' lives, which in turn helps you to feel like you personally know her characters.

Her stories are never sentimental. "Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont," about old people living out their lives in a respectable, but not top-notch hotel, could have easily veered into sentimentality but it never does. There is humor in the book, mostly arising from the vivid characterizations of the various inhabitants of the hotel, but there is also a great deal of bittersweet sadness. This is a brilliant portrait of aging and loneliness and even though I'm probably the same age as some of the characters in this book, I never found it depressing. I will warn you though, I felt rather gut-punched by the ending. I'm really looking forward to reading more of Elizabeth Taylor's novels.