Watching a book

    I've been watching the film From Time to Time - perfect Sunday evening viewing (half the cast of Downton Abbey is in it), a touching story, a lovely house* at Christmas, ghosts and more ... It's based on Lucy Boston's book The Chimneys of Green Knowe which I haven't read, but apparently it takes quite a few liberties with the story. Still, with Maggie Smith and a lazy Labrador at the heart of things, it's very enjoyable in its own right.

    It's a long time since I've read The Children of Green Knowe, the first of the series of which The Chimneys is the second, but as far as I recall it would make very good Christmas reading. Any fans amongst us?

*Lucy Boston's own house, in which she set her Green Knowe books is The Manor, Hemingford Grey.

Comments

[Mary]

I think the Manor is probably the most atmospheric house I've ever visited. But definitely worth reading the first two books before you go.

[LizF]

One of my all time favourite books and one that my children loved too especially junior daughter who reads it every Christmas.
I haven't read any of the follow-up books in fact I was an adult before I knew that there were any, but the magical world of Green Knowe was always a wonderful escape.
And I'm still looking for an ebony mouse of my own!

[Barbara]

The Green Knowe books are much loved and everyone who's been there says the house is wonderful. I've never been able to get on with the books. I'd say that was due to not having read them as a child, but there are authors I've read for the first time as an adult and loved. Possibly they are Marmite books.

[Ann]

This has brought back memories of delightful reading when young. Triggering instant images of how I saw the characters - isn't it amazing how that can happen?! I hope the film makes its way downunder soon.

[Deborah]

I read this post and all the excitement of reading these wonderful books came back. I think The Children of Green Knowe the perfect Christmas read - such a mystical, atmospheric treasure. And yes, the house lives up to all expectations. It is an extraordinary place, and the stories told by Diana Boston on her tour of the house, bring it alive. I can highly recommend Lucy Boston's autobiograhies that tell of her discovery of The Manor too.

[Teresa]

I adore this book and the BBC produced a series which was absolutely superb and was something I enjoyed with my children. There is a Facebook page where people are trying to get the BBC to release the production on DVD. I hope they eventually succeed. I did record the series on to a VHS tape (with the usual interruptions where someone recorded over it accidentally!) which I ought to have put onto a dvd. I am really not able to understand why the BBC makes such wonderful productions which they show us once and then they lost forever. Shameful.

[Sweetie Netts]

Does anyone remember the Green Know stories told on Jackanory way way back when (as early as the mid-late 1960s)...? The memories have stayed with me over the years....

[Cornflower]

I certainly have very happy memories of Jackanory - a lovely programme, and much missed.