Goudge reader: Stephanie Nygaard
A “Share your Goudge Collection” Interview
“As someone who has a vivid imagination and is drawn to fantasy, I loved Elizabeth’s story and writing instantly… (Goudge’s) children’s books have a special place in my heart. She has a unique ability to know the inner life of children, and the pets who often accompany them, and writes about them in such a wonderful way…”
Stephanie Nygaard on Elizabeth Goudge
Today we are continuing with our series of interviews with readers about their own Elizabeth Goudge collections. I’m very excited to share this wonderful interview with a Goudge reader I’ve known for the past year on Instagram and Substack, Stephanie Nygaard.
Stephanie Nygaard of lives in central Illinois on almost seven acres of land with her husband and three daughters. She spends her time homeschooling, reading, writing poetry, and taking many pictures of the sunset.
Welcome Stephanie!
Julie: When did you first find Goudge? Which Goudge book did you read first?
Stephanie: I had heard of Elizabeth Goudge years ago from Sarah Mackenzie at Read Aloud Revival, but I did not read my first Elizabeth Goudge book until 2021. It was The Little White Horse. As someone who has a vivid imagination and is drawn to fantasy, I loved Elizabeth’s story and writing instantly. I have since read many more of her books with Julie on Instagram and here on EGBC Substack.
While I love Elizabeth Goudge’s adult novels, her children’s books have a special place in my heart. She has a unique ability to know the inner life of children, and the pets who often accompany them, and writes about them in such a wonderful way.
Julie: Which Goudge book is your favorite edition? What year and is it a UK or US edition?
Stephanie: While I do not own any vintage books—I wish I did! —I do love the cover of The Dean’s Watch that I own, with Ely Cathedral in the distance and Isaac walking towards it. The Dean’s Watch is one of my favorite of her adult novels, along with A City of Bells and Pilgrims’ Inn.
Julie: Is there a scene from one of Elizabeth Goudge’s books that sticks with you? What moments in life makes you think of it? And which book is it from?
Stephanie: There are so many poignant scenes that I could mention, but there is one from The Bird in the Tree that always makes me laugh as I fling open the windows every spring and fall while my husband grumbles in the background:
“More happy homes have been wrecked, Lucilla was apt to say, by not seeing eye-to-eye about how much window to have open than by any other controversy known to man.”
Julie: What do you love most about Goudge’s writing?
Stephanie: I love the redemptive quality of her stories, the way she weaves in fantasy elements, and her nature descriptions. Many times, there is a devotional element when reading one of her stories that draws me closer to God. While her characters are oftentimes very flawed, she makes me care about them, and in turn, I grow more empathetic towards them. This makes me more empathetic towards the people I meet in everyday life.
Julie: Where can we find out more about you and what you are reading these days?
Stephanie: I think I will always have an Elizabeth Goudge novel on my nightstand because her novels are worth rereading. Besides her books, I also enjoy Christian fiction, especially author Amanda Dykes, children's books, and classics.
I have just started a space for kindred spirits on Instagram LM Montgomery Bookclub to celebrate all things L.M Montgomery. We hope to read through the Anne series together beginning in July. You are invited to join us!
You are also invited to join me for a journey through books, poetry, and nature on Instagram Handwritten_By_Stephanie and on Substack at Handwritten By Stephanie. I would be delighted to hear from you!
“There is a devotional element when reading one of her stories that draws me closer to God… While her characters are oftentimes very flawed, she makes me care about them, and in turn, I grow more empathetic towards them. This makes me more empathetic towards the people I emeet in everyday life.”
Stephanie Nygaard on Elizabeth Goudge
Thank you for sharing and for the photo. It is so good to see our fellow kindred spirits in the flesh, as decent photo versus our small icons. You have a lovely and varied collection of her books Stephanie. You reminded me that I enjoyed "The Blue Hills" for the first time last year. It was new to me and was discovered by being part of this new Goudge group. Was 'The Little White Horse" your first Goudge purchase and have you found any gems in unlikely places? I agree that reading Goudge is devotional at times and I have felt that God has spoken to me through her work and opened my heart in surprising ways.
So lovely to see a kindred spirit here. Stephanie you have many I’ve not seen before and I love how the themes of children and their beloved pets speak to you. The window scenario is hilarious X