Product Description
In THE BLUE HILLS, Elizabeth Goudge takes us back to her beloved cathedral town of Torminster in the early years of this century.

It is the day of young Hugh Anthony's birthday picnic. A procession of landaus and victorias, plus one motor car, are bound for the Blue Hills and Hugh's picnic.

Whatever the reason, each vehicle gets mysteriously lost on its way to the Blue Hills, and by the time the travelers meet again over tea and iced birthday cake, they have had such adventures. Adventures such that none of them is the same person. They are wiser, nicer and much happier. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Terrible Edition, Lovely Story
This is a lovely, fairy-tale-like story.But I had to return this edition (blue hardcover).I could have excused the frequent blurry printing, but not the missing pages!For example, in one section of the book the pages are numbered 111, 83, 113, with page 112 and its contents nowhere to be found. Find a used copy and get the entire story.

thoughtful but funny
At turns thoughtful, and at others funny (so much so that you will laugh aloud), this book is a great read for a parent and a child with a vivid imagination. It is not for realists, but for those who can lose themselves in a good tale.

Return to enchanting Torminster
This is the third of Elizabeth Goudge's books to be set in Torminster (Wells) at the turn of the last century.It features the same cast of characters as A City of Bells and Sister of the Angels, romatic, artistic Henrietta, practical, self-satisfied Hugh Anthony, saintly Grandfather and sharp Grandmother, irresponsible poet Grabriel Ferranti, gentle Jocelyn and hsi vivacious wife Felicity, the haughty Dean, eccentric Mrs Jameson whose husband was eaten by cannibals, and an assortment of elderly clergymen and their wives.Going on a birthday picnic for Hugh Anthony, the principal characters all get lost and have very strange adventures, encountering (possibly) supernatural beings and having life-changing experiences.Being a children's book, the atmosphere is much lighter than in A City of Bells, and everyone's problems are resolved rather more easily than they would otherwise have been (mrs Jmeason is cured of her sazdness over her husband's gruesome end by acquiring a music box with a singing bird),but the characters are just as lovable and interesting as they are in the other books, and there is a lot of humour, as there is in all Miss Goudge's books.

Nice nostalgic read
I've loved Elizabeth Goudge ever since my childhood when I discovered her in worn editions in the local library. This is okay, kind of sweet and pastoral--Goudge is anti industrial revolution/automobile/modernity. She gets in her usual little digs on Protestantism and the dispossession of the monasteries by Henry VIII, but one gets used to this with her. This book is also called "Henrietta's House" in the English editions. It's a fast read, and all the characters are virtuous--what more can one ask?

Nice nostalgic read
I've loved Elizabeth Goudge ever since my childhood when I discovered her in worn editions in the local library. This is okay, kind of sweet and pastoral--Goudge is anti industrial revolution/automobile/modernity. She gets in her usual little digs on Protestantism and the dispossession of the monasteries by Henry VIII, but one gets used to this with her. This book is also called "Henrietta's House" in the English editions. It's a fast read, and all the characters are virtuous--what more can one ask? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Evocative
This is a beautifully evocative novel that is lyrical in places, contemplative, and altogether lovely. Goudge's sense of place is wonderfully explored through her writing style. Her religious philosophy is laid out with a deft hand, but is never heavy handed. I loved her characters, especially her depiction of the gypsy peoples. Most of her characters were multi-layered, and you always felt like they were more then just black and white, but all the shades of grey that make up the human condition.

I would have liked it better except for the fact that I felt Goudge got off track with her depictions of battles. Personally, I'm not a fan of reading battle scenes, and I felt that she took the emphasis away from the main story of Froniga when she diverted the plot away from the main character.

Otherwise, a wonderful novel. I will be reading more Goudge.

although author did her research...
The White Witch, a historical novel brings to life the times of Charles I and the English Civil Wars of the 1640s. Elizabeth Goudge does a wonderful job with the gypsy and Puritan characters throughout the book.However, some of the plot seems rather unbelievable and unlikely.I mean, would the Parson stay at a black witch's cottage after his house is burnt to the ground, when he's friends with the white witch throughout the novel? Goudge tends to write beautiful descriptions but I found the plot suffered because of this fact. By the novel's end, I was tired of reading redundant descriptions of the same forest and flowers. More action please! The characters although plausible don't seem to speak in the language of the times and their actions often contradict who they are supposed to be. Goudge,however,did her research on the occult, healing herbs and the gypsies.

The White Witch
Elizabeth Goudge's later books are full of wondrous historical fiction, and this is one of her shining ones.It is a rare author who can so explicitly portray characters on so many levels.This is one of my favorite books.It leaves us thinking for many years, and it fills those blank spots that history leaves out...

One of the best books I've ever read
If I could give this book more than five stars, I would."The White Witch" is like an onion; there are so many levels to the story. The uppermost involves the English civil war between Charles II and the newly developed Puritans, Catholics and Protestants and how the new religion affects one particular family.Robert Haselwood turns to the Protestants due to his relationship with one of the leaders - this causes conflict in his family, who enjoyed the lavishness of living under the rule of Charles II. One member of the his family has a background in the gypsies and this is a different "skin" - Froniga tries to live her life suspended between the two cultures.Her gypsy background is at "war" with her gorgio background and this affects her dealings with members of both families.Two men, both working for the king, drift in and out of the lives of the Haselwoods and Froniga, and each other.Then there is the battle between Good and Evil. Froniga uses her "white witch" gypsy medicinal talents to heal and comes to realize that crossing over to the dark practices is a very fine line.Elizabeth Goudge has such a wonderful way of dealing with the buiding up of the motivations (not really the work I'm looking for), emotions of the characters and painting word pictures that soar with beauty.This has been one of my favorite books for years; I've gone through three copies.This book is hard to come across and really should be reissued.

A wonderful read!
It's been years since I've read this book but the feel of it lingers still. It is the struggle between the evil and good of a dark witch and a white witch in old England. These witches are really almost ordinary womencaught in the times they live in where the dark witch is old and filledwith the dark thoughts that life can bringwhile the white witch lookstowards the light. There is a struggle between their forces which one cansee as how life iswithout understanding and reaching out between people.Elizabeth Goudge wrote with that wonderful sense that gives you the taste,touch, feel, and vision of how things must have been. I would love to readthis book again as well as others she wrote. I hope her books will berediscoverd as Edith Whartons were and republished for future generationsto enjoy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

memories of her life
Elizabeth Goudge wanted to answer questions from her friends and readers about her life. So many details on her family and the places where she lived, photos, and details on her books, the ones she loved, and mainly this period of time, when she was young, which seems so far away. It is marvellous to discover the persons the loved, for example her maternal grandma and how she depicted her in the book "the arch in the tempest". When pationnate by E.G.'s writings, this is just a wonderful book and such a gift. ... Read more

Product Description
When the four orphaned Linnet children are sent to live with their nasty grandmother, they decide at once that their new life is unbearable-and run away. Making their way through the English countryside, they first charm the gruff but lovable Uncle Ambrose and his gardener, Ezra, then stumble upon the eccentric Lady Alicia, who seems to have lost her family.And then the real fun begins! The Linnets start their search for the missing Valerians-but will they be thwarted by the witch Emma Cobley and her magic cat?

"Elizabeth Goudge writes with the gentleness and good humor that have long endeared her to adult readers . . . blending fantasy and fact with the sure touch of the born storyteller." (The New York Times Book Review) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Still my favorite after all these years
I found the Linnet children on the shelf in a Cambridge bookstore 30 years ago, and it immediately became my favorite story. I was a quiet child who saw secret magic in everyday things, much like the magic Goudge portrays in this story, and it struck a powerful chord that still echoes all these years later. The character of Nan was particularly resonant; it is so rare to see a quiet and sincere personality portrayed as a strong leader.

I kept my copy, and last year I shared it with my children (9 and 7 at the time). It immediately became their favorite; every few months they ask to read it as a family again. I was gratified to see how quickly the story was integrated into the household; for example, the kids' stuffed animals now routinely "return to the Parthenon" when they misbehave. (!!)

When my 2 year-old son (now 10) began petting bumblebees, his father panicked - but I was thrilled to find I had an Ezra in the family!

A Wonderful, Warm Story

This is an absolutely charming story set in England before the war. The Linnet children are sent to live with their staid grandmother after their mother dies and their father is away in the army. Grandmother is too strict to abide, so the children steal a pony cart to make their escape. And so their adventures begin, when the pony "delivers" them to the home of an old, grumpy man who agrees to let them spend the night.

This wonderful story is the very first book I ever owned and I never forgot the feelings of magic and wonder that I experienced reading it for the first time.Even now, as a grandmother sharing the story with grandchildren, I SO want to believe that Ezra talks to bees and that all can be right with the world.

I highly recommend this book to young and old alike!

Delightful Literature for Children
This enjoyable tale is about 4 children who, separated from their father by war, end up spending the summer with an elder, bachelor, uncle. At the home of their uncle they have frightful adventures that ultimately lead to the redemption of the entire town. The book is well-written and could be appealing to both girls and boys. The book might require approximately a [...] reading level. It is a relaxing, entertaining read for those who enjoy Children's Literature.

Engaging Story
Beautifully done story that starts off with the Linnet children running away. The story has an air of mystery and magic to it, that might or might not be.

Inappropriate themes for a children's book
This book begins as a delightful Victorian-style children's adventure.However, about halfway through the book, it turns to witches and witchcraft, evil spells, and an oblivious or helpless clergyman.I am glad that I proofread it before I was going to read it to my children.I will definitely be getting rid of this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

"He was born to shout for his gloves and have a servant bring them, but I was born to find my own gloves underneath my own chaos
Goudge's novel is a romanticized version of the life of Lucy Walter, long-time mistress to Charles Stuart (or was she his wife?), before he ascended the throne of England and mother to the Duke of Monmouth. Raised at Roche Castle in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Lucy is a bit of a tom-boy who loves the sea, although her parents eventually become estranged and she must leave her beloved home and start a new life with her mother in London. As a child, Lucy meets Charles by chance and a friendship of sort is born and when they meet again at sixteen love blossoms and they marry in secret although they only have a couple of days of bliss at Roche castle before Charles must return to his family and their struggles with the Parliamentarians.

Charles eventually flees to Europe and a heartsick Lucy follows him, although Charles is now a poor refugee living on the charity of his royal relatives and Lucy can only be acknowledged as his mistress - never his wife. Charles soon finds Lucy entirely inappropriate as a wife in his new role as King of England, and needing a wealthy heiress to fund his efforts oust Cromwell forces conspire to discredit Lucy and the marriage and to take her child from her.

And that's as far as I go. If you know Lucy's history you know what happens, and if you don't you won't want me to spoil it for you. Taking a person of whom very little is known about gives Goudge a lot of creative license to craft a lovely tale of what may have happened and the consequences of youthful indiscretion. My only quibbles are that this novel, original published in1970 could easily lose 200-300 pages and lose none of its potency, and I suspect many of today's younger readers will give up too soon. Skim the first parts if you must, it's worth it. Too much time is spent on Lucy's childhood relationships and descriptions of the Welsh countryside but other than that her writing was lovely - and ohhhhhh that ending - tissue worthy.

Enthralling read
I loved this book! It's an all-time favorite.The reviewer prior to myself pretty much said it all.I will add that I was also most impressed with myself to reach the end of it to find a note from the author addressed to "those who persevered!"The book is enormous, which is an absolutely fine thing since a good story well written can never be too long.I highly recommend it!

Magnificent Fictionalized History
I read this book a few months ago for the first time, and decided that I would purchase it as soon as I could find a good but not-too-expensive copy (being only a poor college student!) An avowed bookworm, I have read extensively in the different genres of fiction, including fictionalized history (a novel written about a real historical person) and historical fiction (set in history, can include real events and people but is not required to) and I can say unreservedly that The Child From The Sea is the best novel of either genre I've read. So many authors writing historical fiction fall into the trap of approaching historical events and people from a twenty-first century mindset. I have read so many books where medieval or renaissance or eighteenth century characters have all these modern ideas and mindsets, and even (and this is where I really cringe) talk like American teenagers in 2008! Elizabeth Goudge, however, has avoided both mistakes. She has written a book that rings true in every way; her characters are to the core of their time period. The story itself is fascinating, but it is the quality of the writing and the haunting beauty of the tone and setting that makes this book truly a masterpiece.

Compelling, if highly romanticised ...
I read this book over and over as a teenager. The last time would have been about 30 years ago but it made such an impression, I still remember most of the plot and large chunks of the text. It's beautifully constructed and written with lots of skilfully-drawn and believable characters. I highly recommend it to anyone with a romantic nature who's not too concerned with historical accuracy. But who knows - maybe Charles II really did marry Lucy and the Duke of Monmouth was the rightful heir to the throne after all ...

startling and surprising on every page.
This is a premiere work of historical fiction.I'll say it again: this is historical fiction at its best.The landscape leaps into being with a few well-chosen words; the characters seem to live and breathe.The prose peers into a long-lost time and evokes it in astonishing, true-to-life detail, showing how the broader sweeps of political fortunes and indeed the fates of nations stem ultimately from choices arising in the conflicted human heart. This book is breath-taking.After reading Goudge I judge all other works of historical fiction by this one, and when the imaginations of other authors disappoint, I come back to Goudge to be refreshed. ... Read more

Product Description
Written by the author of "Island Magic" and "Green Dolphin Country", which won a special prize from Louis B.Mayer of MGM as well as a Literary Guild Award, this is another romantic novel. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A masterpiece!
Elizabeth Goudge is my favorite author.In this book she combines historyand all the many types of love ( love for God, selfless love, romance,etc.) to make a book that I just hated to leave!It takes place inCornwall, but also takes us to France, to see the devastation in the wakeof the French Revolution from the eyes of two people.I felt like I wasthere! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book!!
I read this book when I was in high school (about 45 years ago). It's just as good as it was then, and perhaps more interesting from an adult point of view. The history is accurate regarding the conflict between the Cavaliers and the Roundheads and Ms Goudge makes the period come alive. This book influenced my interests in herb lore, herb gardening and herbal and alternative medicine integrated with main stream medicine. For a good story and a look at England in the time of Charles I, and to learn a little, too, read this book! ... Read more

Product Description
The Linnet children run away and find a pony which carries them to their uncle Ambrose's house. This kindly man educates them and encourages them to explore Dartmoor. But the village is under the spell of evil Emma Cobley - can the children lift the spell and restore happiness to the villagers? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Same book as Linnets & Valerians
For the Goudge completist, don't be quick to order this book thinking it's a newly discovered work.It's simply "Linnets & Valerians" with a new title.A wonderful book, but if you already have L&V, you don't need this! ... Read more