I was given The little white horse , as a present as a child 55 years ago. It was always my favourite book and I still treasure it today . Last year I came across Gentian Hill in an op shop and took it home in delight. - I devoured it and was immediately on the search for as many of her books as I could find. My husband is now reading them as well. We love the beautiful in the moment descriptions , her depth, her descriptive powers are outstanding and thf books are full of life , it’s stand out reading . Absolutely love everything we have read. , our favourites so far are Gentian Hill. , The Deans watch , Island Magic , Green dolphin Country. Hsve at least 6 more to read and constantly comb the net and op shops for others. Pure delight in a dark and very surface time that we currently live in.
So glad you found some of her adult books, Vicki! We read one each month together if you would like to join us! We are reading Island Magic in August and Green Dolphin Street (also titled Green Dolphin Country) in Sept, which are both set in Guernsey her mothers home. Love to have you along!
Years ago, a dear older friend from my church recommended Goudge’s books to me, and I’m sorry to say I neglected her advice for too long. Seeing your Substack come across my Notes feed, her name was brought back to my mind, and I’m looking forward to finally taking my friend’s recommendation. This post was very helpful to give me an idea of where to start. Thank you!
Exciting Darcy! Glad to have you along. If you like, we will be reading The Scent of Water this May together, and then The Little White Horse in June. Both are excellent books!
The Little White Horse was my first E Goudge read, and I loved it. It’s enchanting, and her animal descriptions are so sweet. I hope to read it to my young granddaughter someday.
Such a magical story! Sharing with your granddaughter sounds like such a lovely idea :) In case you haven't read them, I would recommend getting a copy of The Valley of Song and Henrietta's House too while they are still in print!
I am still making my way through Goudge, but my favorite so far is The White Witch! The history is so important to learn from, and there is so much to glean from the story itself! I know it will be a re-read where I learn something new each time!
It is a favorite for so many people! And it really is comforting. The most comforting I think, perhaps because it has both the infinite goodness of Grandfather and the bracing clarity of Grandmother. :) And seeing it through the eyes of the children is always a treat with Goudge.
I’ve just re-read The Rosemary Tree and am just finishing reading A City of Bells again. I have got too many favourites! The White Witch might be a good gateway book because of its historical setting.
The Rosemary Tree would have been one of the next on the list for me too. It contains some jarring scenes, but there is the goodness that follows when they are resolved. Harriet is a great forerunner to Miss Montague's character as well. Yes, I think that The White Witch is a brilliant book, and a really good story for Americans to consider as its a look at religious history we are very unfamiliar with and yet that is still very relevant today!
The Rosemary Tree deals so beautifully with shame and anxiety. I quoted a little from it in my latest letter. ‘How does one know if one lives? The capacity to offer something, if only your shame.’ It’s excellent!
Interesting that it's the same for you all! What a crazy time in British history. I love that Goudge points out that these periods of destruction of church art come back repeatedly.
Yes, she is so good at reminding us that whatever time we are living in, we are not alone and similar things have happened before. Such comfort! I will have to re-read that one too 😌
I was given The little white horse , as a present as a child 55 years ago. It was always my favourite book and I still treasure it today . Last year I came across Gentian Hill in an op shop and took it home in delight. - I devoured it and was immediately on the search for as many of her books as I could find. My husband is now reading them as well. We love the beautiful in the moment descriptions , her depth, her descriptive powers are outstanding and thf books are full of life , it’s stand out reading . Absolutely love everything we have read. , our favourites so far are Gentian Hill. , The Deans watch , Island Magic , Green dolphin Country. Hsve at least 6 more to read and constantly comb the net and op shops for others. Pure delight in a dark and very surface time that we currently live in.
So glad you found some of her adult books, Vicki! We read one each month together if you would like to join us! We are reading Island Magic in August and Green Dolphin Street (also titled Green Dolphin Country) in Sept, which are both set in Guernsey her mothers home. Love to have you along!
Years ago, a dear older friend from my church recommended Goudge’s books to me, and I’m sorry to say I neglected her advice for too long. Seeing your Substack come across my Notes feed, her name was brought back to my mind, and I’m looking forward to finally taking my friend’s recommendation. This post was very helpful to give me an idea of where to start. Thank you!
Exciting Darcy! Glad to have you along. If you like, we will be reading The Scent of Water this May together, and then The Little White Horse in June. Both are excellent books!
The Little White Horse was my first E Goudge read, and I loved it. It’s enchanting, and her animal descriptions are so sweet. I hope to read it to my young granddaughter someday.
Such a magical story! Sharing with your granddaughter sounds like such a lovely idea :) In case you haven't read them, I would recommend getting a copy of The Valley of Song and Henrietta's House too while they are still in print!
I am still making my way through Goudge, but my favorite so far is The White Witch! The history is so important to learn from, and there is so much to glean from the story itself! I know it will be a re-read where I learn something new each time!
Such a good book! So helpful for understanding the low church/ high church divide
A City of Bells (though there are so many I love) - the ultimate comfort read for me!
I agree! A City of Bells is still my favorite.
Such a cozy book :)
It is a favorite for so many people! And it really is comforting. The most comforting I think, perhaps because it has both the infinite goodness of Grandfather and the bracing clarity of Grandmother. :) And seeing it through the eyes of the children is always a treat with Goudge.
I’ve just re-read The Rosemary Tree and am just finishing reading A City of Bells again. I have got too many favourites! The White Witch might be a good gateway book because of its historical setting.
The Rosemary Tree would have been one of the next on the list for me too. It contains some jarring scenes, but there is the goodness that follows when they are resolved. Harriet is a great forerunner to Miss Montague's character as well. Yes, I think that The White Witch is a brilliant book, and a really good story for Americans to consider as its a look at religious history we are very unfamiliar with and yet that is still very relevant today!
The Rosemary Tree deals so beautifully with shame and anxiety. I quoted a little from it in my latest letter. ‘How does one know if one lives? The capacity to offer something, if only your shame.’ It’s excellent!
Ah! I will go over and have a look! Thanks for mentioning it :) Yes, that is a good observation on TRT - shame is a theme.
Yes, I learned a lot from The White Witch about English history. I never learnt about the civil war at school. It’s fascinating!
Interesting that it's the same for you all! What a crazy time in British history. I love that Goudge points out that these periods of destruction of church art come back repeatedly.
Yes, she is so good at reminding us that whatever time we are living in, we are not alone and similar things have happened before. Such comfort! I will have to re-read that one too 😌