Gentian Hill: Week 4

Gentian Flowers, Nine Herbs, Cockington & Devonshire Fairytales

Gentian flowers on the front of my British copy of Gentian Hill by Elizabeth Goudge

“The room was beginning to talk, as a room does when someone settles down within it whom it feels it belongs there. The small fire whispered beside her and the sea-shell murmured… and the candle flames leaped and laughed. All the infinitesimal sounds together made up the voice of the room.

‘Yes,' said Stella. 'Thank you. I won't forget.’ ”

🌿 Elizabeth Goudge, Gentian Hill

When Goudge released Gentian Hill in 1949, her already devoted readers could not wait to read it. It was published in the US, the UK, and also serialized in the Woman's Journal in four parts.

"We are delighted to announce," said the blurb, "that we have once again secured first publication of a new novel by Elizabeth Goudge.”¹

According to Goudge’s biographer, Christine Rawlins, Gentian Hill was described by Leicester Mail as "that rare prize these days, a piece of literature and a fine story in one.”²

Also it was nearly made into a movie like Green Dolphin Street:

“There were apparently plans afoot for another film, too. Her mother's diary records that a man came "to see E about filming G. Hill" on January 23rd 1950, but the film was never made - according to Jessie Monroe, because money was tight in the years after the war.”³

I think that Gentian Hill still could be an exciting movie picture! I would start it with the dark green waters around the Amphion. What do you think? With which scene would you begin the movie?

Join me today for the last discussion post on Gentian Hill as we look at gentian flowers, the idyllic village of Cockington, St George & St Mary’s church, Waterloo, and some Devon fairytales…