Henrietta’s House by Elizabeth Goudge

Henrietta’s House was written in 1942. I’m always amazed that there were so many women writing ‘domestic fiction’ during the war years. I read that the stubborn heroism of the civilian population was a necessary "military weapon" to stand against the demoralisation and capitulation of the British people, especially during the Blitz.  Henrietta’s House is a … Continue reading Henrietta’s House by Elizabeth Goudge

The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry (1990) – The William Monk Series #1

I’ve finished reading the first three books in Anne Perry’s William Monk series which are set in Victorian London. The first book is The Face of a Stranger. William Monk is a police detective and the story begins with him waking up in a hospital. He’d been unconscious after a severe accident where he was … Continue reading The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry (1990) – The William Monk Series #1

A Daughter of the Land by Gene Stratton Porter

A Daughter of the Land was published in 1918. It’s a little different - you might say darker - than some of her other novels and doesn’t seem to be as well-loved as some of her other books. It is less sentimental than Freckles or Girl of the Limberlost, and its protagonist, Kate Bates, isn’t … Continue reading A Daughter of the Land by Gene Stratton Porter

Reading & Listening in January

The Pensive Reader by Mary Cassatt, c. 1894 Reading The Salzburg Connection by Helen MacInness (1968) I read this years ago and enjoyed it & it's just as good second time around. Bill Matheson, a lawyer working for a publishing company in the USA, is sent to Austria about a supposed contract for a photography … Continue reading Reading & Listening in January

Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh (1903-1966)

I caught him, with an unseen hook and an invisible line which is long enough to let him wander to the ends of the world, and still to bring him back with a twitch upon the thread.   The Innocence of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton   Brideshead Revisited was written during 1943 and 1944 while … Continue reading Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh (1903-1966)

Five Windows by D.E. Stevenson (1953)

Five Windows follows the life of David Kirke beginning with his childhood growing up in a Scottish village. The author looked at David’s life through five different windows which represented the five places where he lived during his life up until he was in his early twenties. Starting off with his early years with his father, … Continue reading Five Windows by D.E. Stevenson (1953)