Intro to Island Magic

Our August Goudge Readalong

My paperback copy of Island Magic on Presque Isle, a peninsula that juts out into Lake Erie in Pennsylvania.

“The scent of flowers was everywhere, and always, night and day, the rooms were filled with the murmur of the sea.”

Elizabeth Goudge, Island Magic

Welcome to August’s Goudge Readalong: Island Magic

Elizabeth Goudge had some success as a playwright when she was 32 years old and living part time in Oxford. But when she inquired about having them published, she was told:

“Your work shows promise. Why not try to write a novel?”

And so she did! She wrote Island Magic and published it in 1934.

In an article Goudge said, “I tried again and wrote Island Magic about my beloved Guernsey with a speed and ease which will never be mine again.” After a bit of looking about, the only earlier novel I can find that is set in Guernsey would be The Toilers of the Sea by Victor Hugo. If so, then Goudge’s novel was one of the first written about the tales and mythos of the region, and definitely the first to deal so lovingly with its location. Many novels about Guernsey are now well known, but it was an unusual setting at the time.

Guernsey in bloom, Photo from Visit Guernsey

Even as a new author, Goudge received rave reviews:

“Remarkable merit” —The Daily Telegraph

“More than one passage (revels) a rare intuition of spiritual beauty.” —The Manchester Guardian

“This is more than a novel of promise; it is an achievement.” —Public Opinion

“Regional fiction of rather considerable excellence… this book deserves attention from connoisseurs.” —Saturday Review of Literature

Today we will look at the setting, some themes, inspiration for Bon Repos, and some illustrations of the Du Froq children!

Time: August 1888

Location: Guernsey — Where is Guernsey?