I was also fortunate in finding a copy with the Walter Hodge illustrations. This is my first reading and I am just two chapters in but am already enchanted by the book. Having now read several of Goudge’s books I am fascinated by recurring images within them. In The Scent of Water we read about an Adam fireplace and a well with little holes in which to keep butter cold - and both reappear here in The Little White Horse. On one page early in chapter 2 I was pleased to see descriptions of a garden, with striking colours, (amethyst, chrome and rose), a list of birds and another of trees, all of which are favourite themes for Goudge. The same page has a description of seagulls, flying and crying out, which I seem to remember from early in one of the Eliot trilogy books. I really enjoy reading these details and I get the feeling that Goudge really enjoyed imagining and writing them. How rich these novels are.
I now have a copy with Walter Hodges' illustrations and am enjoying his interpretations very much. Pretty close to what I imagined when reading my paperback copy all those years ago!
I have the exact same illustration of the Moonacre kingdom in the front of my edition Julie. How interesting that The Gilberts have Sir Walter Raleigh in their number as he is in "The Towers in the Mist" isn't he? I like the idea that Elizabeth went off exploring and found inspiration for her work, needing that escape into the story and the fantasy to help her with her daily round of caring. The geraniums have caught my attention, as expected, and I remember that there is a mystery attached to that room and the flowers and that it is important. I have also been struck by the description of the relationship between Miss Heliotrope - oh the name - and Maria and how the love had to be forced at first. I rather like the honesty of that admission. Much to look forward to.
The relationship between Maria and Miss Heliotrope is one of my favorite things in the book. I love this bit especially: "she herself had been whipped for her peccadilloes within an inch of her life, Miss Heliotrope caring now not two hoots whether Maria liked her or not, if only she could make the child a fine and noble woman. This is true love and Maria had known it". Many authors could, I think, have written that first sentence, but somehow I feel only Elizabeth Goudge (or perhaps George MacDonald) could have added "This is true love and Maria had known it". And that's a perfect example of what makes Goudge so special.
I also found that moving, the part about why it was true love because she never hesitated to act for Maria’s best interests but also that Maria never resented it. Goudge has a magic touch all of her own.
Julie, my second hand copy (from Buccaneer Books in New York) was purchased in 2010 and languished on my shelf until I read it in 2018. I have sooooo many passages underlined and am grateful for the chance to read it again.
Glad you can join us! Definitely not just for children, as you say! It’s connections to St Francis are fascinating, so looking forward to talking about that later this month.
This is a book that I first gave to my daughters to read. It wasn't until a couple of years later that I read it myself. It is exactly the kind of book that I like to read, so I'm not sure what took me so long! I think this reading will be my third or fourth time through it.
I love the way Wiggins is first described to the reader, near the start of the first chapter. Elizabeth Goudge isn't known as a comic author, but that passage is so funny.
Yes, and the bit which says that it would be impossible to describe his virtues, because he didn't have any... although from what I know of them, it would be highly unusual for a spaniel to have that kind of temperament; they are actually highly devoted to their masters, or so I understand. But you have to give the author some latitude when she's clearly aiming for comic effect; and of course it is a fantasy - her depiction of Wiggins is, in a sense, a preparation for the even more unusual animal characters to come, such as Wrolf and Zachariah.
Ah, I first read Little White Horse in a first edition copy from my library in Maine when I was a child - and now I only have the Amazon copy - no illustrations - and I miss them! Thank you so much for the clear images of the end papers of your first edition - really takes me back! I would so love to get my hands on a first edition!
I only had a modern copy until three weeks ago when I spotted a 1967 edition at a charity shop. The illustrations are by Walter Hodges and are a delight! They do add to the picture you conceive in your mind. My favourite so far is of Digweed hanging off the end of the bell as they enter the tunnel.
It is a lovely book, and I'll share many more illustrations this month from here and other editions. I found this one on EBAY after many years of looking.
This is the first Elizabeth Goudge book I read earlier this spring. Now I'm trying to remember just what prompted me to choose to read it, sending me down this rabbit hole that led to me joining your book club.
I was also fortunate in finding a copy with the Walter Hodge illustrations. This is my first reading and I am just two chapters in but am already enchanted by the book. Having now read several of Goudge’s books I am fascinated by recurring images within them. In The Scent of Water we read about an Adam fireplace and a well with little holes in which to keep butter cold - and both reappear here in The Little White Horse. On one page early in chapter 2 I was pleased to see descriptions of a garden, with striking colours, (amethyst, chrome and rose), a list of birds and another of trees, all of which are favourite themes for Goudge. The same page has a description of seagulls, flying and crying out, which I seem to remember from early in one of the Eliot trilogy books. I really enjoy reading these details and I get the feeling that Goudge really enjoyed imagining and writing them. How rich these novels are.
Beautiful book. Never forgotten once read. Still hold onto my childhood copy. Nature narrative immediately relatable as I grew up in Devon.
Wonderful! Glad to have you here with us, Tamsin.
I now have a copy with Walter Hodges' illustrations and am enjoying his interpretations very much. Pretty close to what I imagined when reading my paperback copy all those years ago!
🙌📖❤️☺️
What a treasure you have. ❤️
I have the exact same illustration of the Moonacre kingdom in the front of my edition Julie. How interesting that The Gilberts have Sir Walter Raleigh in their number as he is in "The Towers in the Mist" isn't he? I like the idea that Elizabeth went off exploring and found inspiration for her work, needing that escape into the story and the fantasy to help her with her daily round of caring. The geraniums have caught my attention, as expected, and I remember that there is a mystery attached to that room and the flowers and that it is important. I have also been struck by the description of the relationship between Miss Heliotrope - oh the name - and Maria and how the love had to be forced at first. I rather like the honesty of that admission. Much to look forward to.
The relationship between Maria and Miss Heliotrope is one of my favorite things in the book. I love this bit especially: "she herself had been whipped for her peccadilloes within an inch of her life, Miss Heliotrope caring now not two hoots whether Maria liked her or not, if only she could make the child a fine and noble woman. This is true love and Maria had known it". Many authors could, I think, have written that first sentence, but somehow I feel only Elizabeth Goudge (or perhaps George MacDonald) could have added "This is true love and Maria had known it". And that's a perfect example of what makes Goudge so special.
I also found that moving, the part about why it was true love because she never hesitated to act for Maria’s best interests but also that Maria never resented it. Goudge has a magic touch all of her own.
Julie, my second hand copy (from Buccaneer Books in New York) was purchased in 2010 and languished on my shelf until I read it in 2018. I have sooooo many passages underlined and am grateful for the chance to read it again.
Glad you can join us! Definitely not just for children, as you say! It’s connections to St Francis are fascinating, so looking forward to talking about that later this month.
This is a book that I first gave to my daughters to read. It wasn't until a couple of years later that I read it myself. It is exactly the kind of book that I like to read, so I'm not sure what took me so long! I think this reading will be my third or fourth time through it.
There are so many things to read in this world, so I can understand! Glad you can join us this month 💕📖☺️
I love the way Wiggins is first described to the reader, near the start of the first chapter. Elizabeth Goudge isn't known as a comic author, but that passage is so funny.
I remember reading the first couple of pages thinking that Wiggins was a human, to be suddenly caught off guard that he is a dog! Very funny indeed :)
Yes, and the bit which says that it would be impossible to describe his virtues, because he didn't have any... although from what I know of them, it would be highly unusual for a spaniel to have that kind of temperament; they are actually highly devoted to their masters, or so I understand. But you have to give the author some latitude when she's clearly aiming for comic effect; and of course it is a fantasy - her depiction of Wiggins is, in a sense, a preparation for the even more unusual animal characters to come, such as Wrolf and Zachariah.
And Wiggins provides us a non-heroic perspective.
Ah, I first read Little White Horse in a first edition copy from my library in Maine when I was a child - and now I only have the Amazon copy - no illustrations - and I miss them! Thank you so much for the clear images of the end papers of your first edition - really takes me back! I would so love to get my hands on a first edition!
I only had a modern copy until three weeks ago when I spotted a 1967 edition at a charity shop. The illustrations are by Walter Hodges and are a delight! They do add to the picture you conceive in your mind. My favourite so far is of Digweed hanging off the end of the bell as they enter the tunnel.
Oh yes, I love that illustration!
It is a lovely book, and I'll share many more illustrations this month from here and other editions. I found this one on EBAY after many years of looking.
I found a first edition at the library in Mckeesport of all places! So I will be able to do my reading from that and I am very pleased!
Exciting!
This is the first Elizabeth Goudge book I read earlier this spring. Now I'm trying to remember just what prompted me to choose to read it, sending me down this rabbit hole that led to me joining your book club.
This is a wonderful book to begin a Goudge-ian journey :) Glad you can join us this month as well!