 Gibbons 's writing has been praised by critics for its perspicacity , sense of fun , charm , wit and descriptive skill — the last a product of her journalistic training — which she used to convey both atmosphere and character . Although Beauman refers to " malicious wit " , Truss sees no cruelty in the often barbed humour , which reflected Gibbons 's detestation of pomposity and pretence . Truss has described Gibbons as " the Jane Austen of the 20th century " , a parallel which the novelist Malcolm Bradbury thought apt ; Flora Poste in Cold Comfort Farm , with her " higher common sense " , is " a Jane @-@ ite heroine transformed into a clear @-@ eyed modern woman " . Bradbury also observed that many of Gibbons 's novels end in Austen @-@ like nuptials . 
