Pick up an Elizabeth Goudge novel and from the first page you will feel your shoulders drop. Miss Goudge clearly had a great gift for joy and it shines through every passage and gives comfort and confidence to the reader: you know where you are with her, you know that all will be well and the greater good will be served - even at some personal sacrifice - but 'right' will triumph in the end.
The Bird in the Tree, set in the Autumn of 1938, is the first of three books about the Eliots of Damerosehay, an idyllic Hampshire house presided over by doughty matriarch Lucilla. In terms of plot, suffice to say that there is an act of wrong-headedness, a confession, and a crisis of conscience, and I'll leave all the details for you to discover, but beyond that there is typical Goudge delight in the natural world, specifically an enchanting garden and a wild, seaside setting, a lightly handled touch of the supernatural, an interesting assembly of characters, and an appreciation - tempered with modesty and dignity - of beautiful things.
There's little more to say other than to urge you to read EG if you haven't already done so and are in the mood for something to satisfy, soothe and uplift.
Edited to add: I think my favourite Elizabeth Goudge so far (though it's hard to choose) is this one.
I love Elizabeth Goudge. And oh, to have a house like Damerosehay ...
Posted by: Lory @ Emerald City Book Review | 04 September 2018 at 11:37 AM
Oh goody. I'm definitely in the market for a doughty matriarch called Lucilla. It might stiffen my backbone. She could even be my alter ego. It would only take one letter change!
Posted by: Lucille | 04 September 2018 at 12:17 PM
Wouldn't that be wonderful!
Posted by: Cornflower | 04 September 2018 at 12:18 PM
Lucille, you must also have a sidekick in the shape of an ancient maid called Ellen, and Obadiah the occasional gardener!
Posted by: Cornflower | 04 September 2018 at 12:22 PM
Elizabeth Goudge was one of my mother's favorite authors. I kept some of her books, but the only one I've read is The Dean's Watch. I liked that one. I desperately need some reading that makes my shoulders drop!
Posted by: Joan Kyler | 04 September 2018 at 01:31 PM
If you do turn to her, Joan, I hope EG will work her magic.
Posted by: Cornflower | 04 September 2018 at 02:49 PM
I was delighted to find my library has a copy of The Bird in the Tree. I've requested it and look forward to it greatly. I'm a huge fan of The Little White Horse and Green Dolphin Street.
Posted by: Mary Ronan Drew | 04 September 2018 at 04:00 PM
Super, Mary! I've yet to read the two books you mention, though I'm sure we have a copy of The Little White Horse.
Posted by: Cornflower | 04 September 2018 at 04:17 PM
I think I'll chime in with: I loved Green Dolphin Street. Found it in the library while at Uni, and it just clicked. So different from where/when I lived at the time.
At your recommendation, I'll see if the library has The Bird in the Tree.
Posted by: rj | 04 September 2018 at 06:56 PM
Mmmm I do like The Bird in the Tree...but MY favourite is The Scent of Water. I re read so many of them every so often to just visit that world
Posted by: diana | 04 September 2018 at 07:08 PM
Elizabeth Goudge is my favorite author! And The Bird in the Tree is my favorite of the Eliot chronicles:)
Posted by: Julie Witmer | 05 September 2018 at 12:40 AM
Do!
Posted by: Cornflower | 05 September 2018 at 08:20 AM
That's another I haven't read yet but plan to - thanks, Diana.
Posted by: Cornflower | 05 September 2018 at 08:21 AM
She is so refreshing, isn't she Julie?
Posted by: Cornflower | 05 September 2018 at 08:22 AM
Oo I've been meaning to read this one (and have HAD this one) for so long. I've only read The Middle Window, and really liked it, and apparently it's far from her best.
Posted by: Simon T (StuckinaBook) | 05 September 2018 at 09:34 AM
Haven't read that one, Simon.
Lovely to see so much affection for and interest in EG, here and on Twitter and IG; she seems to stay in people's hearts.
Posted by: Cornflower | 05 September 2018 at 10:23 AM
I've just ordered this (and a couple more of her books) following your excellent review.
I am in need of a lovely reassuring read. Thank you!
Posted by: Sam | 07 September 2018 at 04:02 PM
You're welcome, Sam; I hope you'll enjoy it thoroughly!
Posted by: Cornflower | 07 September 2018 at 07:04 PM
I'm enjoying the book but have taken a violent dislike to Lucilla.
Posted by: Lucille | 17 September 2018 at 08:35 AM
Thank you - I'd heard of EG but never read her. Being in need of an old fashioned read I checked out The Bird in the Tree and it was just what I needed to escape our Washington DC antics...
I want to review it on my blog Bookbarmy.com and may I use the following quote from your blog?
"Pick up an Elizabeth Goudge novel and from the first page you will feel your shoulders drop"
I will of course credit Cornflower Books w/ the quote and link your blog throughout.
Posted by: Deborah | 10 October 2018 at 12:13 AM
By all means, Deborah! So glad you enjoyed the book.
Posted by: Cornflower | 10 October 2018 at 08:00 AM
Harewood House, the house Elizabeth Goudge set her Damerose Hay books on, became a hotel, fell into poor state, was demolished in late 1970’s and replaced by 12 houses in a culdesac ‘Harewood Green’, Keyhaven. Hampshire U.K. The area ambiance remains much the same and is valued highly by we residents fortunate to live here. Biddy B.
Posted by: Biddy Brown | 06 February 2022 at 09:58 PM
That is very good to hear, Biddy - thank you!
Posted by: Cornflower | 07 February 2022 at 09:26 AM