Gerald And Elizabeth by D. E. Stevenson

245 pages
Published 1969 by Holt, Rinehart & Winston
New York NY

As most of you know by now, I have been a fan of D. E. Stevenson novels for a couple years now. My introduction was was in the fall of 2009 when a friend sent me the link to a delightful book titled, Miss Buncle's Book. From the moment I picked up Miss Buncle and began reading I became a life-long fan of Ms. Stevenson and now I look forward to each new title I discover, pick up and read.

Thanks to Hope at Worthwhile Books, who passed on to me a ex-library copy of Gerald and Elizabeth earlier this year, I had the chance to read another delightful tale by one of my favorite authors.


The Plot:
Gerald Brown is young, good-looking, personable, but he holds himself aloof from the other passengers aboard the Ariadne, a small passenger ship returning to London from Cape Town, South Africa. In fact, his behavior is so extremely antisocial that he appears on deck only late at night, rarely venturing from his cabin during the day. Something is troubling him deeply, something that happened while he was working as an engineer in a Cape Town diamond mine that has left him spent and hopeless.

After the Ariadne docks in London, Gerald, desperately in need of a job, decides to contact his sister, the beautiful and famous actress, Elizabeth Burleigh, whose current play is the hit of the London theater season. As he reveals to her his haunting past in South Africa, he learns that she too is suffering, that behind her facade of gaiety and sophistication lurks a nagging suspicion about her mental health that is threatening to destroy her career and her love affair as well.

What are the forces that seem bent on these destroying these young people who have so much to live for? Can the mysteries surrounding their lives be solved -- and in time to prevent irreversible consequences? (Summary courtesy of the book dust jacket.)

My thoughts:
I must admit in spite of reading this jacket summary I was still surprised by Gerald and Elizabeth. I expected from the summary that I knew exactly how the story would turn out... and to a degree I did -- it had a happy ending -- but at the same time there was still plenty of surprises within this story and as a result I really did enjoy the read. It was a light and charming read with a touch of mystery and wit that kept me intrigued up to the end.

That said, I can't say that Gerald and Elizabeth was one of D. E. Stevenson's best works. It was enjoyable, but not a masterpiece. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't quite as good as some of her other books (i.e. Blue Sapphire, Mrs. Tim, Miss Buncle's Book, etc.). Nevertheless, a good Stevenson novel is still a worthwhile read and I recommend it to anyone looking for something new and different to read, particularly fans of Stevenson's novels.

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Related Links:

Happy Birthday D. E. Stevenson
Other D. E. Stevenson books reviewed

Biography - Wikipedia
All Things D. E. Stevenson

Crooked Adam by D. E. Stevenson

256 pages
Published in 1942, reprinted in 1970
by Holt, Rinehart & Winston


When it comes to books I love a good spy thriller and Crooked Adam by D. E. Stevenson is just that. Departing from her typical novel format that consists of romance, quaint English and Scottish neighborhoods, and the occasional family drama, Crooked Adam is set in Scotland during the early years of World War II and is a tale of espionage with a very unlikely hero; a young man called "Crooked Adam."

It is because of his limp that Adam was found unfit to join the King's military and must endure the war from the classroom of a boy's school. And it is because of this limp that Adam despairs he will never do anything to help his country... Until one day he discovers the war has come to his school's back yard when he uncovers a plot to steal a scientific invention that -- if built to full-scale -- could change the way the RAF defends the United Kingdom from enemy aircraft.

"Crooked Adam" may be an unlikely hero, but he is definitely the man for the job as he takes on the role of amateur detective and helps capture and close down the spy ring.

I thoroughly enjoyed Crooked Adam. The story is fast paced and kept me turning page after page to see what would happen next. In addition, there is a good amount of description and the dialogue is both interesting and witty. Although the ending might be a little predictable I still found the overall plot an excellent mix of mystery, adventure and romance and all-in-all another gem by D. E. Stevenson

For the reader looking for a different type of spy thriller I definitely recommend Crooked Adam. The only disappointment is that Crooked Adam is out of print. Used copies are available online, but prices are rather high ranging from $15-75 per book, which is why I opted for the ILL option. For those lucky enough, many libraries still carry a number of D. E. Stevenson's books and if your own library doesn't, you might be able to obtain a copy through their ILL program.

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Related Links: 


Happy Birthday D. E. Stevenson
Other D. E. Stevenson books reviewed

Mrs. Tim Flies Home by D. E. Stevenson

Published in 1952, reprinted in 1974
By Holt, Rinehart & Winston
New York, NY
284 pages

Mrs. Tim Flies Home is the final book in D. E. Stevenson’s four-part Mrs. Tim series. For those not yet familiar with the lovable Hester Christie, a.k.a. “Mrs. Tim” stop reading this review and go read my reviews of Mrs. Tim of the Regiment, Mrs. Tim Carries On, and Mrs. Tim gets a Job. Although the Mrs. Tim books can be read in any order I personally think they are best if read in order of publication. By doing so the reader’s familiarity with Hester and her friends and family grows just as the characters relationships grow and mature with time.

The Plot:
“Leaving Tim (now a colonel) in Kenya, Mrs. Tim flies home to her children for the summer in her beloved North Country. A stopover in Rome allows for the unexpected renewal of an old friendship with Tony Morely – a friendship regarded as highly suspect by fellow passenger Rosa Alston.

Once installed in The Small House in Old Quinings, a host of local characters – some familiar to followers of Mrs. Tim’s adventures – brighten and shadow Hester’s life. Tony Morely turns up, but so does Rosa Alston with her gossipy innuendoes. Mrs. Tim has a trying time with a singularly unpleasant landlady, but two young romances enliven the village, and Mrs. Tim closes her diary on a note of infectious happiness.” (The publisher, Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1974)

My Thoughts:
I had bitter-sweet feelings as I picked up Mrs. Tim Flies Home. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the series and I felt as though I was meeting with some friends for the very last time. And yet, as far as a final book in a series can go, Mrs. Time Flies Home was very enjoyable and tied up a few loose ends nicely and left a few to the imagination of the reader.

As I read I found myself once again marveling at how comforting the Mrs. Tim books are in spite of the simplicity of their plots. Mrs. Tim Flies Home is a charming story filled with witty tales of domesticity in post war (WWII) England. There’s something about the dialogue, narration, and characters that drive the story with the occasional plot twist or intrigue.

I confess my only regret, if I am allowed to have one, is that throughout the series many couples find true love and live “happily-ever-after” including Tim and Hester, but for Tony Morely. Tony was one of my favorite regulars in the series. I just loved his sense of humor and charm and I always hoped, right up to the last quarter of this book, that he would find a woman who could rival Hester for his admiration. But in the end I suppose Stevenson felt it far more romantic and much more Tony-like to leave him a bachelor who remains a very dear friend of the Christie family. In retrospect, I suppose I can accept that.

Overall I definitely loved the Mrs. Tim series. The first in the series was reprinted by The Bloomsbury Group Publishers in 2009. I heard a rumor that they may go on to publish the rest of the series. I hope it's true, because this is one series I definitely am happy to own and to recommend.

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Related Links:

Mrs. Tim of the Regiment - Reviewed
Mrs. Tim Carries On - Reviewed
Mrs. Tim Gets a Job - Reviewed

Tuesday Teasers: Mrs. Tim of the Regiment
Tuesday Teasers: Mrs. Tim Gets a Job
Tuesday Teasers: Mrs. Tim Gets a Job
Tuesday Teasers: Mrs. Tim Flies Home

Happy Birthday D. E. Stevenson

Other D. E. Stevenson books reviewed

Tuesday Teaser: Mrs. Tim Flies Home

"'Books are meant to be read. They like being read,' says my visitor seriously. 'I always feel sorry for books that are too valuable to be read -- books with uncut pages. I'm sure they would rather be just ordinary so that ordinary people could read them.'"

- Mrs. Tim Flies Home by D. E. Stevenson, Saturday, July 21. Pg 136-137

Happy (belated) Birthday to D. E. Stevenson!

Happy (belated) 118th birthday to Dorothy Emily Stevenson!

Dorothy Emily (Stevenson) Peploe was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on November 18, 1892. Although Dorothy Emily is best known by her pen name, D. E. Stevenson, which she used for the 40+ novels she penned from 1923-1970, she is not nearly as famous as her esteemed cousin, poet and novelist Robert Louis Stevenson. Still, for many readers D. E. Stevenson is synonymous with a good read.

You can read more about her here: D. E. Stevenson's biography or by checking out the related links below.

I am a fan of D. E. Stevenson and am planning to celebrate her birthday this weekend by reading the final novel in the Mrs. Tim series: Mrs. Tim Flies Home.

Curious to know more about Dorothy Emily's books? Check out my reviews of 10 of her novels that I have read and enjoyed:

Mrs. Tim of the Regiment (1932)
Mrs. Tim Carries On (1941)
Mrs. Tim Gets a Job (1947)

Miss Buncle's Book (1934, Reprinted in 2008)
Miss Buncle Married (1936)
The Two Mrs. Abbotts (1943)

Rochester's Wife (1940)

Celia's House (1943)
Listening Valley (1944)

The Blue Sapphire (1963)

Related Links:
Biography - Wikipedia
All Things D. E. Stevenson

Mrs. Tim Gets a Job by D. E. Stevenson

282 pages
Printed in the United States
in 1947 by J. J. Little and Ives Company
New York

It really says something about an author when they not only succeed in writing an enjoyable read the first time, but then go on to succeed in telling it further in a second and third installment. Such is the case with Mrs. Tim Gets a Job, the third story in the Mrs. Tim series by D. E. Stevenson.

The Plot:
"With Tim still with the Regiment in Egypt, Mrs. Tim begins to feel the need of something to occupy her time. But when she jokingly remarks to an acquaintance that perhaps she should "do something," that chance remark brings Mrs. Tim more than she had bargained for. She finds herself working for Miss Erica Clutterbuck whose English Border home has been turned into a small hotel. Here at Tocher House one amusing situations after another develops, with the incomparable Mrs. Tim always unhappily in the middle. Here too are new and entertaining characters that are welcome additions to the Tim circle. Like the earlier books, Mrs. Tim of the Regiment and Mrs. Tim Carries On, the story is told for Tim, and quite unconsciously it shows his wife the amusing, warmhearted, understanding person she is." (Summary courtesy of the publisher)

My Thoughts:
I've said it before, I love the Mrs. Tim books. They are a delight to read and always good for a laugh. With each book I feel as if I am returning to the story of a dear friend. Mrs. Tim Gets a Job picks up a few years after the the last novel, Mrs. Tim Carries On, ends. I was pleased that readers are given the chance to learn how various long-time friends of Hester's were doing since the second world war had ended. Such meetings include Hester's hilarious late night adventure with Pinkey and a surprise visit from my personal favorite, Tony Morely!

In addition readers are introduced to a handful of new characters and settings that add to the enjoyment of this read. I couldn't help but love the gruff Erica Clutterbuck. My favorite scene being when she's reading aloud from a supposed Jane Austen novel to the work party (a group of women sewing clothes for charity) on April 1st. Of course in keeping with April Fool's Day it's not really an Austen story, but none of the women, excepting Hester, realize this. What ensues makes for quite an amusing scene and would be appreciated by any Austen fan. All I have to say is well done Stevenson!

Yes, D. E. Stevenson has scored another winner with Mrs. Time Gets a Job. Her writing style is hilarious, witty, charming, sweet, and all around fascinating. Even the day-to-day tales kept me turning pages until late into the night. Mrs. Tim Gets a Job is another winner. Oh how I would love to get my hands on the complete set of this series. Bloomsbury Group reprinted the first in the series, Mrs. Tim of the Regiment in 2009 (now available in the US for under $10). I'm hoping they will go on to republish the rest of the series. (Pretty please!)

Up next the last installment of the Mrs. Tim series, Mrs. Tim Flies Home. Look for a review in the next month.

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Related Links:

Mrs. Tim of the Regiment - Reviewed
Mrs. Tim Carries On - Reviewed

Tuesday Teasers: Mrs. Tim Gets a Job
Tuesday Teasers: Mrs. Tim Gets a Job
Tuesday Teasers: Mrs. Tim of the Regiment

Other D. E. Stevenson books reviewed

Tuesday Teasers: Mrs. Tim Gets A Job

"Yes, I'm reading Emma -- for about the fifth time.'
'You are?' enquires Miss Clutterbuck with interest. 'I've read it oftener than that. There's nobody like Jane Austen to my way of thinking. I like the saltiness, the restrained satire. When I'm more than usually irritated and deived with the guests I get out Northanger Abbey or Persuasion or one of the others and have a good read. I find them soothing. Jane Austen had as little patience as I have with the vagaries of her kind.'" (Mrs. Tim Gets a Job by D. E. Stevenson, pg 75)

Tuesday Teasers: Mrs. Tim Gets A Job

A special treat today -- it's double teaser Tuesday!

"There is something rather alarming in the discovery that one's memory is so unreliable... the days slip by and are lost for ever..."

(Mrs. Tim Gets A Job by D. E. Stevenson, Chpt 1, pg 3)

"'I wish you wouldn't do that!' Exclaims Erica. 'You're always appearing suddenly where one doesn't expect you to be -- it's unnerving -- like a jack-in-the-box or something!' 'No,' objects Tony. 'Not like a jack-in-the-box, Miss Clutterbuck. He appears when you don't expect him, in my case the time and place equally uncertain.'"

(Mrs. Tim Gets a Job by D. E. Stevenson, pg 177-178)

Mrs. Tim Carries On by D. E. Stevenson

307 pages
Published by Holt, Rinehart and Winston
1941, reprinted in the United States 1973

I absolutely love the Mrs. Tim books by D. E. Stevenson!

Mrs. Tim Carries On is the second in a series of four books chronicling the day-to-day life and adventures of Hester Christie, wife to Captain Tim Christie an officer in a Scottish Regiment. As one might guess from the cover art of this book, the story is set several years after the first book (Mrs. Tim of the Regiment, a.k.a. Mrs. Tim Christie) leaves off. England is now in the midst of another war with Germany (it is the early years of World War II and America has not yet joined in). Throughout the novel Hester and her friends and family must make the best these dark and difficult times as they "do their part" and watch their loved ones, including Tim, march off to battle.

Although Mrs. Tim Carries On is a little darker than its predecessor it is appropriately so; one should expect nothing less of a novel set in the midst of World War II -- and yet, Stevenson struck a balance in this story between the real life struggles, hardships, and loss with the day-to-day normality and occasional adventure that a military wife and mother to two young children might encounter. Of course there is also plenty of witty dialogue, curious characters, and even a romance between two supporting characters to add to the enjoyment of this read. Mrs. Tim does indeed "carry on" in this novel and I found it to be a delightfully witty, interesting and all around charming read.

To add to the enjoyment factor is to learn that the Mrs. Tim books are actually based off D. E. Stevenson's own diaries! Apparently she was inspired to write the books when a friend requested Stevenson jot down some of her experiences as an officer's wife for her friend's daughter, a newlywed to an officer in a Scottish regiment. Stevenson sent over her diaries and the friend's daughter replied that they were so good they should be published.

One might think that books based on a diary wouldn't be that exciting and maybe in some cases that would be true, but not so with but D. E. Stevenson. In her Mrs. Tim books she has weaved fact and fiction together so seamlessly that it's hard to know where one leaves off and the other begins. I find the interesting little snippets of life in England during the early years of WWII absolutely fascinating and surreal. To imagine young children walking off to school with a gas mask slung over their shoulder is so foreign to me. And then there's the entertaining little bits, like when characters mention going to see a movie that recently arrived in the theater -- movies such as Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, and Rebecca!

The Mrs. Tim books are indeed worthwhile reads and a treasure to anyone who can get their hands on a copy. Thankfully the first book, Mrs. Tim of the Regiment is once again available ($8-$10), but readers looking for the rest of the series will either need to spend a good deal of money to obtain a used copy ($30+) or check with their library or library's Inter Library Loan program. I had to do the latter to obtain this read and any of the rest in the series, but in my opinion it was worth the trouble. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series, Mrs. Tim Gets a Job, which I will be reviewing here, so stay tuned!

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Related Links:
Mrs. Tim of the Regiment (Bloomsbury)
D. E. Stevenson Books

Related D. E. Stevenson Posts & Book Reviews:
Mrs. Tim of the Regiment
Miss Buncle's Book
Miss Buncle Married
The Two Mrs. Abbotts
Rochester's Wife
Celia's House
Listening Valley
The Blue Sapphire

Tuesday Teasers: Mrs. Tim of the Regiment
Tuesday Teasers: The Blue Sapphire
Tuesday Teasers: Listening Valley
Tuesday Teasers: Miss Buncle Married

Mrs. Tim of the Regiment by D. E. Stevenson

378 pages

Published in 1940

Farrar & Rinehart, Inc.

Printed in the USA

by J. J. Little and Ives Company, NY

I am particularly excited to share with you about my latest D. E. Stevenson read, Mrs. Tim of the Regiment.

This is the first in a series of novels about Mrs. Tim (Hester) Christie, the wife of a British officer. These novels are somewhat unique in that they are written in the first person by way of diary entries and also in the fact that they detail the life and adventures of a military family living in Britain during the years leading up to (and during) the second world war.

Telling a story in the form of diary entries can be tricky. The author risks slowing the story down through limited dialogue or mundane day-to-day activities, but readers will find that is not the the case here. Mrs. Tim of the Regiment was extremely entertaining with plenty of action, detailed description, and witty dialogue cleverly woven throughout. Even what might be perceived as mundane was told in such a way that kept me interested and amused. It takes a definite type of humor to cause me to laugh out loud while reading and this book has plenty of it. While I've read some great reads this year, this one was by far one of the funniest. I'm already planning to request the next book in the series (Mrs. Tim Carries On) through my library's ILL program.

And that brings me to the other reason why I'm so excited about this book. Not only was it a delightful read, but it will soon be readily available for readers in the USA thanks to Bloomsbury Group who have republished the book in paperback form. Copies will be available in stores and online as of April 13, 2010 for as little as $9.45. (And yes, I am reserving a copy for my own personal library.) Maybe, if sales are good enough they'll reprint the entire series? Here's hoping!

In the meantime if you aren't certain about buying a copy then be sure to check your libraries collections and if they don't own a copy then ask your librarian if they can purchase a copy of Mrs. Tim of the Regiment. In my opinion, this is another must read by D. E. Stevenson.

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Related D. E. Stevenson Posts

Miss Buncle's Book
Miss Buncle Married
The Two Mrs. Abbotts
Rochester's Wife
Celia's House
Listening Valley
The Blue Sapphire

Tuesday Teasers: Mrs. Tim of the Regiment
Tuesday Teasers: The Blue Sapphire
Tuesday Teasers: Listening Valley
Tuesday Teasers: Miss Buncle Married

The Blue Sapphire by D. E. Stevenson

286 pages
Published in 1963
Holt, Rinehart and Winston
USA

The Blue Sapphire is another charming story by Scottish author Dorothy Emily Stevenson.

The Plot:
"Julia Harburn is engaged to the extremely proper Morland Beverly, and everyone expects them to marry and settle down {once he makes junior partner at his father's firm}. But an unexpected conversation with a handsome stranger on a London park bench has unforseen results that alter the course of Julia's life." (Summary courtesy of the publisher, 1977)

My Thoughts:
Although aspects of The Blue Sapphire make it a little predictable I still enjoyed the rich tapestry of characters, the beautiful settings, and the witty dialogue. I've now read several of Stevenson's novels and have enjoyed nearly ever one of them and yet... The Blue Sapphire stood out to me as one of my all-time favorites, so much so that I went out and found an affordable used copy (the book is out of print) to add to my personal library.

What is so special about The Blue Sapphire? I think it stems from the fact that it isn't just another romance. For starters, I really liked Julia as the heroine. Although she doesn't begin as a very strong character a series of unrelated events bring Julia to the point of knowing her own mind and learning to listen to her heart and do what is right no matter the pressures from those around her to do otherwise. By the stories end she is a strong woman with a very loving nature and Christian spirit. Also woven throughout the story are other threads that deepen the plot and captivated me as the reader like the mystery and drama of long held family secrets and the adventurous tales of sapphire mining in Africa. The latter Stevenson depicts in such a way as to impart the reader with a small education about sapphires and mining yet without losing the entertainment factor of the story.

The only complaint I had was that towards the latter third of the book (while Julia resides in Scotland) the story seems to lag. The reader knows the ending is still chapters away and full of answers, but it seems to take more time than necessary to get there. Still, I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone looking for a different kind of romance and adventure set in the mid 20th century.

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More of my reviews of D. E. Stevenson's books:

Miss Buncle's Book
Miss Buncle Married
The Two Mrs. Abbotts
Rochester's Wife
Celia's House
Listening Valley

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Tuesday Teasers:

Mrs. Tim of the Regiment
The Blue Sapphire
Listening Valley
Miss Buncle Married

Tuesday Teasers: Mrs.Tim of the Regiment

"Once more the good lady has missed my point. I begin to feel as if I were conversing in a foreign language or with somebody very deaf. There was an old gentleman at Hythe who prided himself upon his hearing. A conversation with him was always fraught with surprises. I remember asking him whether he had been for a long walk today, to which he replied smilingly, 'Yes, May is my favourite month too.' Decide that Mrs. McTurk suffers from mental deafness. She has ears but hears not -- at least I suppose she must have ears concealed under her rolls of mud-coloured hair or Mr. McTurk would not have paid a hundred and twenty pounds for diamond earrings for her." - (Mrs. Tim of the Regiment by D. E. Stevenson, Diary Entry: May 5, page 174)

Tuesday Teasers: The Blue Sapphire

"'No, he's at the other end,' said Uncle Randal, pointing. 'He's a bit shabby, poor fellow, but that's because he's read.'

'So, he doesn't mind being shabby,' said Julia, standing on tip toe to reach the shelf and bringing the well-worn copy of Pope's Poetical Works to it's owner.

'No he doesn't mind a bit,' agreed Uncle Randal, turning over leaves wit his long, thin fingers. 'To tell you the truth it always grieves me when I see a book that's never read. There's something a bit pathetic about its crisp leaves and immaculate binding. Poor thing! What's a book for if it's not to be read and enjoyed?'"

(The Blue Sapphire, by D. E. Stevenson, Chpt. 23, pgs. 149-150)

Listening Valley by D. E. Stevenson

256 pages

Published 1943, reprinted 1972

Farrar & Rinehart, Inc.

Listening Valley is a companion novel (not a sequel) to Celia's House by D. E. Stevenson. This is not surprising as most of Stevenson's novels are interlinked, although only a few are part of a series.

The story within Listening Valley opens in the early 1920 and 30s in northern England near the Scottish border and then some time is spent in London. Antonio Melville, a fragile and shy girl, is the heroine of the story.

In the unfortunate, yet typical Edwardian fashion of parenting Mr. and Mrs. Mellville turn over the care and grooming of Antonio (Tonia) and her beloved, but outgoing and adventurous sister, Louise (Lou) to the capable hands of a Nanny. It is a very lonely life for the girls and this eventually leads them to choose two very different ways of dealing with their emotions and two very different paths in life. Lou chooses her own course and finding love flees to the other side of the world. Tonia on the other hand finds solitude and happiness in what she comes to call her "listening valley" -- a place she cannot see, but only hear; a place within herself, within her mind. How Tonia breaks out of this "private cocoon" and what happens in her life is the subject and content that drives this story.

Listening Valley is a romance in typical D. E. Stevenson fashion, but likewise it in typical fashion it is more than just a romance. There is plenty of interesting historical and geographical details woven seamlessly into the story, there is adventure and drama and tragedy and comedy. Listening Valley is a truly entertaining, engaging, and pleasing read.

Because it is a companion novel and not a sequel it takes some time before Tonia runs into characters from Celia's House. And when she does it is really only two that take any real role in this story. Still it gives the reader of Celia's House a chance to find out what happens after the end of that novel.

There wasn't much that I didn't like about Listening Valley, it was such a good story. At the worst it is a somewhat predicable story at the best it has several glimpses of foreshadowing throughout the story, but this doesn't take away from the enjoyability of the book. One aspect that I didn't like was the cold and selfish way that Tonia's mother (and often her father) treated Tonia and Lou. To treat your child as if they were a burden rather than a blessing and joy in life is just so very sad! But Stevenson doesn't condone this behavior, rather she subtly tells it like it was (for some people) during the early to mid 20th century and then shows the problems and consequences of such relationships between parent and child and how despite this type of child-rearing a child can grow and mature and overcome their past. When Tonia reaches early adulthood she receives the attentions of a man old enough to be her father and while for some this might be creepy, I found it fit in well with the time, place, and story line of this novel. It was necessary for the sake of Tonia as a person and to help her reach her final destination as an adult.

Listening Valley is largely set during the early years of the second world war and from the local RAF base to the threat of German spies this novel is far more adventurous and suspense filled then Celia's House. It's a good companion story a worthwhile read and one I hope to add to my personal library. I would rate this one up at a 4 or 4.5. If you can't find this one at your local library or through your library's ILL program then try online. Used copies are available through some sources at fairly reasonable prices.

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What are other reader's saying?

Check out: Never Jam Today's review of Listening Valley

Tuesday Teasers: Listening Valley

"Most people, looking back at their childhood, see it as a misty country half-forgotten or only to be remembered through an evocative sound or scent, but some episodes of those short years remain clear and brightly coloured like landscape seen through the wrong end of a telescope."

(Listening Valley by D. E. Stevenson, Part 1, Chpt 1, page 7.)

Celia's House by D. E. Stevenson

256 pages

Published 1943, reprinted 1971

Holt, Rinehart and Winston

New York, NY

Having finished the Miss Buncle series I finally got a chance to pick up a completely different novel by D. E. Stevenson. Celia's House came highly recommended to me by cousins and book bloggers Noel and Marie De Vries.

The Plot:

"Celia's House... is the story of Dunnian -- a spellbindingly lovely family estate in Scottish Border country -- and of the generations of Dunne family that live in it and love it dearly. Beginning in 1905 with ninety-year-old Celia Dunne, it delightfully portrays the bustling life of her heir and grand-nephew Humphrey Dunne, and his family of five rambunctious children. It follows the family over forty years -- through their youthful antics merry parties, heartbreaks and loves and marriages, as each in turn comes to maturity and an understanding of the enduring satisfaction Dunnian gives to their lives." (Summary courtesy of the publisher)

My Thoughts:

I found Celia's House a romantic and entertaining read. Although the story was a little reminiscent of two other books I've read it was still uniquely different... if that can be possible, which I think it can.

For starters, I was happy to have finally found the story plot that I've been looking for. The story of an English/Scottish estate and the adventures and drama that surrounds the family ensconced in the great home over the course of several decades. To be quite honest this is the type of story plot I expected when I picked up Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh earlier this year. Of course once I started reading Brideshead I realized it was NOTHING like I had imagined, which proved a little disappointing. Not so with Celia's House! This time, without any preconceived expectations I found that very story plot within this novel. You can imagine my delight; it was a very satisfying read.

The other novel that Celia's House reminds me of is Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. While it only occurs as a small part of the story I did notice several similarities between Celia's House and Mansfield Park. (i.e. the beautiful, quarrelsome, yet devoted sisters; the quiet, loving, yet imposed upon cousin; the handsome and somewhat clueless eldest son; a set of conniving siblings who try to worm their way into the family; and even a play! Even though Mansfield Park is probably my least favorite novel by Jane Austen I still enjoyed this nod by Stevenson towards the Bertram family and Mansfield Park's unlikely heroine, Fanny Price.

Another aspect of Celia's House that I liked was how the story seemed to go full circle. It begins in the early 20th century as Miss Celia is about to pass away and leave Dunnian to the next generation complete with the laughter and tears of young children. The novel ends in the middle of the 20th century and the reader finds that once again Dunnian is being passed to the next generation, this time another Miss Celia.

There's very little that I didn't like about this book. The only thing that comes to mind is a two weird scenes at the beginning of the story when it seems Ms. Stevenson is hinting at the presence of the ghost... although Celia's House is the farthest thing from a ghost story. I wasn't entirely certain if she intended to make a point with the two scenes, but I soon forgot it as the story carried me away from the past and in to the future of the characters. If asked I'd have to say my favorite characters were Mark (It was fun to watch him grow from a little boy to an established and respected gentleman.) and Debbie (I wasn't sure I would like Debbie when she first entered the story, but it didn't take long before I was cheering for her in the story.) Oddly enough, though the story is titled Celia's House I never felt attached to either Celia in the story. Perhaps I will feel differently after reading the novel's sequel, Listening Valley.

On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Celia's House a 4.5. While some may argue that Celia's House is more a romance than a classic, I still say it's definitely worth owning, especially if you are a fan of Mansfield Park or coming-of-age family sagas. Some good news for readers of D. E. Stevenson is that Celia's House is relatively easy to find. Stat with your local library and if you find they don't own a copy then check the ILL system. I'm betting there's a god chance you'll find it this way. If you are like me and want to own a copy then you should be able to find a reasonably priced copy online thanks to the fact this book was reprinted several times until the late 1970s.

As for the sequel, Listening Valley, I am hoping to get my hands on a copy, so stay tuned because if I do I will be posting a review in early 2010.

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Curious to hear what other readers think? Check out the following reviews:

Fireside Musings (April 2008)

No Jam Today (January 2008)

The Two Mrs. Abbotts by D. E. Stevenson

282 pages
Copyright 1943
Farrar & Rinehart, Inc.
Printed in the United States of America
by J.J. Little and Ives Company
New York, NY

Another Miss Buncle book? Yes!

The Two Mrs. Abbotts is a new story about the unique Miss Buncle. War has brought external changes to the small English town of Wandlebury and to its inhabitants. But they are external changes only. Barbara Abbott, the former Miss Buncle, still attracts people to her like flies, drawn by her simple honesty. Although her methods of dealing with their problems are never orthodox, they are highly successful. Barbara's niece, whose husband is serving overseas, has a major part to play in the story, and in her own way manages to complicate matters in a thoroughly diverting manner. To tell the story would be to spoil part of the joy of reading it. It is enough to say The Two Mrs. Abbotts has excitement, humor and romance. (Summary courtesy inside front dust jacket cover.)

My Thoughts:
I have thoroughly enjoyed the Miss Buncle series. Although each of the three books in the series are connected by characters and each story builds upon the last, they are yet almost unique unto their own. If asked I still think I'd claim Miss Buncle Married as my favorite of the three, but at the same time they are each so different that I find them difficult to compare.

Still, I really enjoyed The Two Mrs. Abbotts. It was just as entertaining and witty as the previous books. The adventures and quirky characters are new, but still keep the plot moving. One definite difference between The Two Mrs. Abbotts and the two previous books in the series is the setting of the story. As the book opens the reader finds themselves once more in the home of Barbara Abbott (nee Buncle), but it is several years after the end of Miss Buncle Married and England is in the midst of war with Germany. Because of this setting the story does have some darker moments, but nothing that weighs the reader down.

A nice little surprise for readers and fans of Miss Buncle's Book is the appearance of Sarah Walker from Silverstream, one of the few loyal friends Barbara had while living there and writing as John Smith. I thought Stevenson used this little side-story to tie together Barbara's past and present quite nicely, which resulted in bringing the stories almost full circle, which was a fun surprise to me the reader.

Not to long ago I read another blogger's review of The Two Mrs. Abbotts where the reader lamented that there wasn't enough of Barbara in the story. I didn't find this to be the case at all. While it is true that Barbara is not as central as she was in Miss Buncle Married, I didn't find her any less of a presence than she was in the first book, Miss Buncle's Book. Although the story revolves more around the other Mrs. Abbott I didn't mind because it was giving me a chance to get to know more about Barbara's extended family and friends without leaving Barbara completely out of the story.

Although The Two Mrs. Abbotts is technically the last in the Miss Buncle series, I've been told that several of the characters appear in various other books by D. E. Stevenson, particularly The Four Graces, which is on my TBR list. I find this whole connectivity of the characters very fascinating. While several of Stevenson's books are stand alone novels and several are grouped in specific series there are overlapping people and places, which makes her fictional world seem all the more real-life. I love it!

Ever since I began reading the Miss Buncle series I have been puzzled as to why such a delightful set of books could fall out of print. I recently read something that might prove to be the answer. Apparently during World War II there was a paper shortage which meant publishers could not quickly or easily reprint books when they sold out. This resulted in a small number of books being available to purchase and eventually to the point we are now where those copies available for purchase are quite expensive and rare. Thankfully, as I mentioned before Persephone has chosen to republish Miss Buncle's Book. It is now my hope they will one day continue on to republish the entire series.

But in the meantime, if you've started to read the series and can't afford to purchase the rest of the books I encourage you to check out your library's ILL program. It was through mine that I was able to get my hands on the entire series and I believe they were worth the small trouble and wait. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate The Two Mrs. Abbotts a 4. I truly enjoyed this story and hope to one day include in my personal library.

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Other D. E. Stevenson reviews:
Miss Buncle's Book
Miss Buncle Married
The Two Mrs. Abbotts

Rochester's Wife

Miss Buncle Married by D. E. Stevenson

Published 1936, reprinted 1947
Grosset & Dunlap Publishers
by arrangement with Farrar & Rinehart, Inc.

Miss Buncle Married is the second in a series of Miss Buncle stories by Scottish author, Dorothy Emily Stevenson (a.k.a. D. E. Stevenson). Like me, fans of the first novel, Miss Buncle's Book, will not only feel a sense of personal satisfaction in finding out the rest of Barbara Buncle's story, but also a personal connection to the sequel as Miss Buncle Married was dedicated by the author to "those who liked Miss Buncle and asked for more." So what if I wasn't alive when D. E. Stevenson penned these books. If I had been I'm sure I would have been amongst those clamoring for more and thus the dedication is meant for me as well as those living at the time.

The Plot:
The story of Miss Buncle Married begins nine months after the end of Miss Buncle's Book. Barbara Buncle has left behind Silverstream and the scandal and commotion that her two novels caused; she has given up her home and her surname, moved to London, and married her publisher, Arthur Abbott. While Arthur and Barbara are enjoying the bliss of newlywed life, they aren't exactly happy with the pace of life required of those who reside in town.

After a brief discussion Arthur and Barbara realize the only solution to their "problem" is for them to pack up and move to the country. But where in the country? They cannot return to Silverstream, nor does Barbara wish to. Thus begins an intense search by Barbara for a suitable country home; somewhere she and Arthur can enjoy life in peace and solitude. After several weeks Barbara finally finds the ideal location in the small town of Wandlebury. Although her initial visit is met with some peculiar circumstances this doesn't stop her from falling in love with the charming town and the dilapidated, yet promisingly homey Archway House. Barbara convinces Arthur to purchase Archway House and before to long the Abbotts have fixed it up and made it a home.

The rest of the story in Miss Buncle Married revolves around the various characters who make up the town of Wandlebury, including a budding romance, and the humorous scrapes that Barbara gets herself into. As was the case in Miss Buncle's Book, Barbara never intends to get mixed up in the matters of those around her, she just falls into situations which always result in a story filled with humorous and intriguing plot twists.

My Thoughts:
I almost think I liked Miss Buncle Married better than its predecessor. For starters, while I loved Miss Buncle's Book it was really more of a story about the people of Silverstream and their connection with Barbara's book than it was a story about Barbara Buncle herself. I enjoyed the story, but didn't feel that I really got to know Barbara very well. This problem was fixed in Miss Buncle Married. Although it does contain some side stories, most of the novel is about Barbara, her husband Arthur, and his nephew, Sam. Miss Buncle Married really rounds out Barbara's story and left me, the reader, satisfied.

For those curious, John Smith does return in this story in the form of a third novel that Barbara writes. Although this new novel titled There's Many A Slip promises to be her best novel yet, Barbara unfortunately (or rather fortunately for Arthur and their beloved Archway House) decides not to publish it and instead turns her attention to new adventures. Still, the reader gets to enjoy the best parts of There's Many A Slip, so I am glad it was included in Miss Buncle Married.

As I mentioned, there are some side stories, mostly about the towns people of Wandlebury who, like the towns people of Silverstream, are a mix of characters -- some quirky, some despicable, and some quite delightful. Personally I didn't like Barbara's next door neighbors, the Marvels, particularly the children. I found them irritating and well... spoiled brats. I was thankful that their part in the story was minimal and nearly absent in the latter half of the book so I only had to put up with their mischief for a few chapters.

On the other hand, I enjoyed the character of Sam who starts of as a lazy young man, but because of true love becomes a better man. Did I mention Miss Buncle Married is a romance? It is, in fact, it's actually a dual romance. The first romance the reader encounters is that of the older more matured love between Arthur and Barbara. The second is the new and budding love between Sam and a local young woman. While Sam's romance and some of the story's plot might be a little predictable for some readers, it is still enjoyably told and thus makes for an enjoyable read.

In Summary:
Overall I found Miss Buncle Married entertainingly witty with interesting characters, and a clever and fast moving plot. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Miss Buncle Married a 5; a book that is worth the time to locate and read. Note: Miss Buncle Married is out of print and used copies run on the high end. However, readers should not get discouraged. I was able to find a copy through my local library's state Inter-Library Loan system. If your library doesn't own a copy be sure to check if the book can be obtained through your library's ILL system.

Related Reads: (If you liked this review you might also be interested in...)

Miss Buncle's Book by D. E. Stevenson
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson
The Making of a Marchioness by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell

Rochester's Wife by D. E. Stevenson

320 pages
Published: 1940, reprinted 1967
Buccaneer Books
William Collins Sons & Co Ltd

After thoroughly enjoying Miss Buncle's Book (reviewed) I knew I had to read more of Scottish author, D. E. Stevenson's works. However I've learned that most of her books are connected either in a series or through characters that make reading the books in order of publication definitely preferable, if not a must and since nearly all of her books are out of print I found myself at a loss of which book to read next. After some digging I decided to read Rochester's Wife. It was available at my local library AND it was a stand-alone story.

The Plot:
Rochester's Wife is a story about a young doctor, Kit Stone, who returns to England after years abroad. Upon Kit's return his brother Henry and Henry's wife strongly encourage Kit to settle down somewhere nearby. They've even got a job possibility lined up thanks to Mrs. Rochester, the wife of one of Henry's business partners.

Initially Kit is hesitant, but agrees to try the job as assistant to a country doctor for thirty days. He heads to the town of Minfield and immediately feels at home in the town and with his boss, Doctor Peabody and forms a special bond with Peabody's imaginative and joyful young grandson, Jem.

The plot thickens when Kit meets Mrs. Rochester, the woman who recommended him for the job. Kit wonders why would a woman he'd never met be so determined that he get the job?Although the answer to that question remains a bit of a mystery Kit does discovers for himself a special bond with Mardie Rochester and before he knows it he has found himself in love with the woman... who appears to be unhappily married. But after a chat with Doctor Peabody Kit decides to take the honorable route and not confess his feelings to Mardie.

It is only after it is learned that Mardie's husband, Jack Rochester, is actually insane and mysteriously disappears that Kit and Mardie find themselves admitting to each other their feelings and struggling to do what is right. And yet Kit maintains his honorable position and does not push Mardie to begin a relationship with him. His desire is for Mardie's happiness above all, even if that means the possibility of Jacks' return.

Meanwhile, Mardie, believing her husband is still alive and will come home some day, heads to her homeland in the Scottish Highlands where she will wait for Jack's return and hope that Kit will forget her and move on with his life.

What unfolds is a story of romance, mystery, and the day to day adventures of an English country doctor during the early 1940s.

My Thoughts:
When I first began reading Rochester's Wife I was reminded of two very different books. First, the whole concept of a young doctor coming to a country town to work with an older doctor reminded me a little of the All Creatures Great and Small series by James Herriot. (Yeah he was a vet, not a doctor, but still there was a very fine connection that I couldn't help but notice.)

The other book was Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. In that story there is a Mr. Rochester who falls in love with the protagonist of the book, Jane Eyre, but can't marry her because of his marriage to Mrs. Rochester, who happens to be insane.

Although it deals with some serious topics I found Rochester's Wife still an entertaining read. There were parts of the book that were very funny, especially where Jem was involved. He was my favorite character -- a cross between Davie Keith and Paul Irving in Anne of Avonlea (reviewed). His personality is to lively, so imaginative, and says the funniest things. As for the serious aspects, I felt that Ms. Stevenson handled them tactfully and yet realistically.

Overall I enjoyed Rochester's Wife. It was hard to put down. For a while I thought it might be an inverted take on Jane Eyre, as I mentioned above, but in the end it wasn't. The ending to the story is bittersweet and realistic, which for some readers might make it a bit disappointing. But one thing is for certain, the ending is not predictable.

On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Rochester's Wife a 3.5 to a 4. I liked the book, but didn't really like how D. E. Stevenson wrapped up the story. It might sound a bit arrogant for me to say this, but if I had written the book I'd have chosen a different ending. Still, I am glad I read it and look forward to reading other works by the author.

Miss Buncle's Book by D. E. Stevenson

335 pages
Published 1934, reprinted 1947
Grosset & Dunlap
New York, NY
by arrangement with Farrar & Rinehart, Inc.

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I first learned of Miss Buncle's Book by D. E. Stevenson through my friend and fellow bibliophile, Alison. Uncertain at the time whether it was worth dropping $20+ for my own copy I chose instead to borrow an older copy through my local library's Inter Library Loan program, which was free. The book arrived a week later and I nearly dropped everything that even in order to make time to read.

The Plot:
From the beginning I was intrigued and excited by the story's plot. Barbara Buncle, a "spinster" in her mid 30s lives in the small and close-knit English village of Silverstream. Finding herself in need of a new source of income, Miss Buncle, passes over the idea of raising chickens or taking in borders and instead writes a novel. The book, eventually titled Disturber of the Peace, tells of the every day drama and adventures of the towns people in the small close-knit village of Copperfield. Although Miss Buncle hopes to make some money by selling her fictional novel she has no idea how much her life is about to change.

For starters, her novel is bought by the first publisher she sends it to, imagine that! Then when it becomes an instant bestseller she discovers the story has turned life upside down when some of her neighbors recognize themselves within the novel! What ensues is a story of romance, comedy, and drama that reminds the characters as well as the reader that truth can sometimes be stranger than fiction.

My Thoughts:
"The theme was unusual and intriguing. Mr Abbott had never before read a novel about a woman who wrote a novel about a woman who wrote a novel -- it was like a recurring decimal, he though, or perhaps even more like a perspective of mirrors such as tailors use, in which the woman and her novel were reflected back and forth to infinity. It made your brain reel if you pursued the thought too far, but there was no need to do so, unless you wanted to, of course. So much for the main theme." (Miss Buncle's Book, Chpt. 24, pgs. 297-298)

Miss Buncle's Book is indeed unusual and intriguing. It is exactly as Miss Buncle's publisher Mr. Abbott observes, a novel written by a woman (D. E. Stevenson) about a woman (Barbara Buncle) who writes a novel about a woman (Elizabeth Wade) who writes a novel about a woman who writes a novel... But it's not only unusual and intriguing, it is also charming, witty, and romantic with a rich tapestry of quirky, lovable, and even despicable characters. As one might guess from the title, Miss Buncle's Book is more about the book and its influence on the people of Silverstream than it is just a story of Barbara Buncle... And yet, it is a story of Miss Buncle too. When the story begins she is a drab timid woman living a rather dull life, but by the end she has blossomed into a sparkling and beautiful woman whose life is filled with excitement, adventure, and love.

Written in 1934, Miss Buncle's Book was the fourth novel by D. E. Stevenson (a.k.a Dorothy Emily Stevenson). And although to readers in the 21st century she is not as famous as her cousin, Robert Louis Stevenson, she was, during her lifetime, quite a popular and prolific author, penning 45 novels in nearly as many years.

It is indeed an unfortunate fact that all but one of her books are now out of print. Thankfully such programs like Inter Library Loan exists allowing a new generation of readers to read Ms. Stevenson's stories of light romance. And also thanks to a small UK publishing company called Persephone Books, this same generation can own a reasonablly priced copy of Miss Buncle's Book (2008).

On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent, I would rate Miss Buncle's Book is a 5. It is a MUST read, especially for those who have read and enjoyed Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day or The Making of a Marchioness. And if you were to ask me, I'd say skip borrowing and go buy a copy for your personal library. I've already requested the sequel Miss Buncle Married from my local library's ILL system and am hoping to track down the third in the series after that. And yes, in case you are wondering, I am saving up my book money so I can buy a copy from Persephone to add to my personal library.

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If you like Miss Buncle's Book you might also enjoy:

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson (reviewed)
The Making of a Marchioness by Frances Hodgson Burnett (reviewed)
Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell (reviewed)
A Weaver of Dreams by Myrtle Reed (reviewed)