I always wanted to know more about Hermione, which of course was not even her real name. Every time I read this book she appeals to me a little more, she is revealed a little more. She seemed to be such a typical presentation of a country lady - the Squire's wife - but you knew that beneath those tightly controlled corsets and manners, there was a flesh and blood person. The way that Goudge made her annoying and manipulating of the locals who could not say no did make her less approachable as a character, I think. As for wanting to visit any particular place, it would be the little neat cottage of the couple who cared for Cousin Mary and then Mary Lindsay, the bodger and his wife whose names escape me right now as I type. They intrigue me. They also seem very private.
Yes, this time I caught more of what James Anderson and Mary say about Dolly when they come to condole with her in the end, and it tells us that she is a woman who has learned to love, even if she looks ridiculous doing it. In a way, she is as taken in by Mr Hepplewhite as Valerie is by Charles, and yet because he was the one she gave her heart to first, she is not found a fool in her loving as Valerie is. Her husband comes to a "bad end" by his character and choices to ignore the good in himself, but we get the idea that her love is part of what will save him and be faithful to him in the end.
Thank you for the Chesterton quote - that's one of my favorites.
I find myself wishing that Elizabeth Goudge had lived during the Victorian era, when novels were longer and more leisurely paced. This book is very rich, so rich that it's rather overwhelming - something like eating a meal which is all protein and no fat. I found myself struggling to digest it! Are all of her novels like this?
It is a thick pudding in this book, for sure! Worth turning right back around and rereading it again. I think that this one is particularly thick.
Goudge's books are all so different in some ways, as she wrote them over more than 40 years of her life. But if you are interested in reading her more "Victorian" then I would highly recommend joining us for The Little White Horse in June! I have heard people say that it was more like a victorian children's story, and it is set in that time. It is a fantasy tale, set in Devon, but be prepared to still encounter loads of quotable material :)
Thank you for this interesting read! I have often wondered about Goudge’s own spiritual experience with doors. I have had dreams about doors, too, and her writing coincided amazingly with one recently. It was the city of bells with the green door! I have ‘come to believe there is a door’ too. ♥️
A City of Bells was set in Wells, so the same door in question! That is so cool! I actually had a dream one time when I was reading this book of walking in the wood near the well...
I always wanted to know more about Hermione, which of course was not even her real name. Every time I read this book she appeals to me a little more, she is revealed a little more. She seemed to be such a typical presentation of a country lady - the Squire's wife - but you knew that beneath those tightly controlled corsets and manners, there was a flesh and blood person. The way that Goudge made her annoying and manipulating of the locals who could not say no did make her less approachable as a character, I think. As for wanting to visit any particular place, it would be the little neat cottage of the couple who cared for Cousin Mary and then Mary Lindsay, the bodger and his wife whose names escape me right now as I type. They intrigue me. They also seem very private.
The Bakers do seem an intriguing couple!
Yes, this time I caught more of what James Anderson and Mary say about Dolly when they come to condole with her in the end, and it tells us that she is a woman who has learned to love, even if she looks ridiculous doing it. In a way, she is as taken in by Mr Hepplewhite as Valerie is by Charles, and yet because he was the one she gave her heart to first, she is not found a fool in her loving as Valerie is. Her husband comes to a "bad end" by his character and choices to ignore the good in himself, but we get the idea that her love is part of what will save him and be faithful to him in the end.
Thank you for the Chesterton quote - that's one of my favorites.
I find myself wishing that Elizabeth Goudge had lived during the Victorian era, when novels were longer and more leisurely paced. This book is very rich, so rich that it's rather overwhelming - something like eating a meal which is all protein and no fat. I found myself struggling to digest it! Are all of her novels like this?
It is a thick pudding in this book, for sure! Worth turning right back around and rereading it again. I think that this one is particularly thick.
Goudge's books are all so different in some ways, as she wrote them over more than 40 years of her life. But if you are interested in reading her more "Victorian" then I would highly recommend joining us for The Little White Horse in June! I have heard people say that it was more like a victorian children's story, and it is set in that time. It is a fantasy tale, set in Devon, but be prepared to still encounter loads of quotable material :)
I have read Little White Horse, it is a delight for certain! Definitely look forward to joining in the discussions.
Thank you for this interesting read! I have often wondered about Goudge’s own spiritual experience with doors. I have had dreams about doors, too, and her writing coincided amazingly with one recently. It was the city of bells with the green door! I have ‘come to believe there is a door’ too. ♥️
A City of Bells was set in Wells, so the same door in question! That is so cool! I actually had a dream one time when I was reading this book of walking in the wood near the well...
Love it!
Lovely post, Julie.
Thanks Carolyn! :)
https://elizabethgoudgebookclub.substack.com/p/becoming-like-a-child
I appreciate your lifting out pivotal points for our learning.
The doorway opening this morning, which I walk through, indicates these things I pick up from The Scent of Water:
There is a blessing and a curse in everything.
Little Things are important.
Nothing is lost.
Living water is offered.
Thanks.
YES! Mary. Thank you. I will add some others that came to me:
Slow down.
Look. Listen. Watch. Wait.
Delight in being a child.
Trust.
Beauty and joy are weapons against despair
Stupendous! Thanks!
Thanks Jeanne!
Love your digest Mary! Thats lovely.