The Battle of the Villa Fiorita written by Rumer Godden (1907-1998) is partly autobiographical. When her first marriage ended in divorce and she later remarried, there were difficulties between her two daughters and her second husband. This situation was fictionalised in The Battle of the Villa Fiorita. In this book, the two children of Fanny … Continue reading The Battle of the Villa Fiorita by Rumer Godden (1963)
Kingfishers Catch Fire was published in 1953 and was ‘compounded of three years’ living, thinking and perhaps dreaming in Kashmir.’It is said to be Rumer Godden’s most autobiographical novel and if you’ve read anything of her life you can find similarities between that and parts of this story. It’s interesting that Godden took the first … Continue reading Kingfishers Catch Fire by Rumer Godden
Although there are some similarities between Rumer Godden’s books, In This House of Brede (1969) and Black Narcissus (1939), the settings are poles apart. Both depict a community of nuns; the former in a traditional setting in a convent in England, and the latter, a small group in Mopu, a remote village in the Himalayas. … Continue reading Black Narcissus by Rumer Godden
According to the author, The Greengage Summer is true, or at least partly so. In 1923, when Rumer Godden was fifteen years old and her elder sister Jon nearly eighteen, their mother announced, “We are going to the Battlefields of France and when perhaps you see the rows and rows of crosses for those … Continue reading Reading Europe: The Greengage Summer by Rumer Godden (1958)
In This House of Brede is a quiet sort of book; reflective and introspective but lively and interesting at the same time. Philippa Talbot is a successful career woman who joins an order of contemplative Benedictine nuns at the age of forty-two.Self-possessed, capable, used to giving orders and making decisions, she enters her new … Continue reading In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden (1969)
I’m very annoyed with myself that I didn’t keep track of everything I read last year. I was just slack. My reading was fairly wide, a bit more nonfiction than usual and also more lighter books than I normally read. I felt a little run down after some bouts of flu, throat & ear problems … Continue reading My Reading in 2022
I hope those of you who have been reading For the Family’s Sake either for the first time or like me, re-reading it, have found it worthwhile. Feel free to add any thoughts on any of the chapters. Thanks to those of you who have commented here or have let me know your thoughts in … Continue reading For the Family’s Sake: Ch 14 – the end
2022 Art Book Reading Challenge Rebecca @ a humble place is hosting a 2022 Art Reading Challenge with seven categories. I’ve chosen the four options below: Rebecca has studied Art History and has written articles for the Common Place Quarterly. Check out her blog for details about the Challenge, information on the other categories, and … Continue reading Bookish Destinations 2022
Next month Brona @ This Reading Life will be hosting a Rumer Godden Reading Week to mark the author’s birthday. It will take place from Saturday 4th December to Sunday 12th December 2021. Two of her books I’m thinking of reading are ‘China Court’ and ‘The Black Narcissus.’ I especially liked her novel In This … Continue reading November Notes
My Pinterest Boards – It has links to books I’ve reviewed including those for AmblesideOnline books and other homeschooling books. If you are looking for specific book, author, or subject, try the search option on the sidebar. Reviews by Author Surname (in progress) Jane Austen Agatha Christie A.J. Cronin Charles Dickens A. Conan Doyle George … Continue reading Book Reviews
journey & destination 