Discover new kitchen selections
Buy used:
$33.32
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime
FREE delivery Thursday, April 17 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Wednesday, April 16. Order within 1 hr 40 mins
Used: Good | Details
Sold by DeepDiveBooks
Fulfilled by Amazon
Condition: Used: Good
Comment: 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Shipped by Amazon. Solid book that may show shelf wear and/or have library or other markings scattered throughout. Dust jacket is missing.

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a service we offer sellers that lets them store their products in Amazon's fulfillment centers, and we directly pack, ship, and provide customer service for these products. Something we hope you'll especially enjoy: FBA items qualify for FREE Shipping and Amazon Prime.

If you're a seller, Fulfillment by Amazon can help you grow your business. Learn more about the program.

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Barbara Comyns
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The House of Dolls Hardcover – January 1, 1990

by Barbara Comyns (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 27 ratings
The four eccentric blue-haired ladies who make money by illegally entertaining elderly gentlemen rent the upstairs rooms at Amy Doll's house, until Amy decides its time for them to move on before they make an impression on her daughter
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    155 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    St Martins Pr
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 1990
  5. ISBN-10
    0312049749
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0312049744
Next slide of product details
Books%20with%20Buzz
Books with Buzz
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The eponymous house belongs to Amy Doll, a young, unassertive widow, striving to educate her reluctant teenage daughter and dependent on the rent payments of an odd complement of women who lease the upstairs rooms in her London residence. While Amy attempts to set limits within her own space in the basement, she realizes that "her house was being used as a brothel for elderly gentlemen." The doyennes of the upstairs are two aging harridans who spar endlessly with each other. Both are divorcees, short on money, long in languorous, bibulous reminiscences about better times and better men. They entertain some doddering admirers, which brings the house to the attention of an enterprising policeman, allowing Comyns to introduce a wholesome love interest for Amy. How all the women, especially the ladies who are to be evicted upon Amy's marriage, have their fates worked out--rather too patly--is the burden of this fragile, occasionally amusing novel from the author of The Juniper Tree .
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ St Martins Pr; First Edition (January 1, 1990)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 155 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0312049749
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312049744
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 27 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Barbara Comyns

Barbara Comyns

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
27 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Top reviews from the United States

  • jaded
    4.0 out of 5 stars Elderly Prostitutes
    Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Again Barbara Comyns gives us a surprise about a whole cast of fascinating characters. It is hilarious but also insightful.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Pamela
    4.0 out of 5 stars Houseful of aging women in 1960s London
    Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2002
    This is an interesting read from an earlier era. Basically, a woman named Amy Doll keeps boarders upstairs, and when she raises the rent, they resort to prostitution. The boarders are four middle-aged to post-menopausal women - one is almost wholesome, one is exotically foreign, and two are active alcoholics.
    The novel explores many life situations, romance, poverty, domestic work, etc. A policeman comes to spy on the old tarts (or so Amy guesses), but ends up being a love-interest and an anchor which enables Amy Doll to demand an end to the unsavory activities upstairs.
    The author might have made a stronger statement about the working wage, women in poverty, etc., but instead the writing is very plain and lacking in condemnation. The reader is left to draw their own conclusions. The situations are realistic, and this might be called "realism," although the sexual activity is mainly alluded to and not detailed.
    It's a readable book, a product of its era. The contemporary reader might be surprised that such a topic could be dealt with in such a _clean_ manner.
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • FB
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great price and came v quickly
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 6, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Came v quickly and in good condition. Very happy!
    Report
  • Ingrid Goodchild
    5.0 out of 5 stars Book Club Read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 27, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Our book group read this and had an open discussion about it last Wednesday on Zoom. It is not very often that we all agree about a book but all 8 of us loved this good read and want to read more by her.
    Report
  • Gaynor Madoc Leonard
    4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 15, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    I'm sorry that I have only recently been introduced to Barbara Comyns's work. This story is one about poverty, pride and affection. Ageing ladies who refuse to accept state benefits, leaving them with the only option of acting as "courtesans" to similarly ageing gentlemen.
    Comyns deserves to be remembered.
    Report
  • Nikki57
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 31, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Just as expected - thank you
    Report
  • Mrs. J. Barrett
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 25, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Funny
    Report