[1] This was considered a comeback novel for Pym; she had fallen out of favour as styles changed, and her work had been rejected by publishers for 15 years.

As a novel, it represents a departure from her earlier style of light comedy, as it is the story of four office workers on the verge of retirement.

Marcia, already reclusive, and vulnerable after having a breast removed, has to deal with the loss of the routine that was an essential part of her life.

She is found in a state of collapse by a voluntary social worker who has been visiting her, and, coincidentally, by Edwin and his parish priest.

She thinks this would be a consolation for the jilted Marjorie, and, though she envisages no romantic developments, enjoys being in a position to supply some male company.

The poet Philip Larkin, who had a long-running correspondence with Pym, read the final draft and found it very strong.

He was surprised by the sombre tone, so unlike Pym's earlier comic style, and suggested the title did not suit.

Pym was chosen as the most underrated writer by both Larkin and Lord David Cecil; she was the only novelist to be selected by two contributors.

It was published in Portugal as Quarteto no Outono, France as Quatuor d'automne, Germany as Quartett im Herbst, and Turkey as Sonbahar Kuarteti.

[12] In 2015, York Theatre Royal commissioned a workshop version of a stage adaptation, written by Amanda Whittington and directed by C P Hallam.