A meandering sort of story, about Tonia's childhood, her eventual escape from her parents' house and her experiences during WWII - especially after she inherits her family's house in a Scottish town.

It reminded me, especially at first, of L.M. Montgomery's The Blue Castle. Tonia is neglected by her parents and escapes into daydreams.
However, Tonia grows up with the love and support of her older sister and their Nannie. (There are some other similarities, and some other differences, too.)

I was surprised by how bittersweet The Listening Valley is. The last book of D.E. Stevenson's that I had read had also been set and written during WWII, but I felt that The Two Mrs. Abbotts (1943) dealt with the war in an oddly light-hearted fashion, "focus[ing] more on the everyday interactions of people in a community, rather than worrying about those who have gone to war".

In contrast, The Listening Valley has a real sense of uncertainty - there's a happy ending, but no one is sure how long that happiness is going to last, or when the war will end.

But if only the war could end, thought Tonia, pressing her hands against the rough, wet surface of the weathered wood. If only something could happen now, this very minute, so that the war would be over and all the misery of it; so that you could enjoy the beauty of the world without this burden of sadness, this racking anxiety that turned your bones to water; so that you could go to bed and sleep in peace without wondering how many splendid men had been killed today, and how many more would meet their deaths tonight, and how many mothers and wives would be carrying hearts of lead in their bosoms.

There's something very comforting about D.E. Stevenson's writing. ( )

This is the 46th D. E. Stevenson book that I've read. It was very good, and I wish I'd found it years ago. I wasn't entirely satisfied with the ending, as I felt there was one issue in particular that should have been resolved. Most of the characters were very likeable, except for the unpleasant ones, who were very unpleasant.

But the jacket flap! It had one of the worst blurbs I've ever read. Not because it was misleading—oh, no, it certainly wasn't misleading. It told exactly what was going to happen. Beginning, middle, and end. It was all there. ( )

D.E. Stevenson can simultaneously break your heart and lift your spirits. The humble and quiet heroine of this book might be my favorite character of hers yet. A story of human truths and frailties and sweetness without any sex or saccharine. Sublime. ( )

This was a sweet story. I'm pleased it's being re-released. I thought this would be a story of two sisters, one gregarious the other very quiet, but it focused on the quietly timid sister. The story wasn't utterly predictable which was a pleasant surprise. The characters were very likable and led interesting lives. ( )

I found this one a little slow at the start, but once Tonia found her love and then got her own home I just fell into the book. I loved the atmosphere and the characters. I enjoyed the sweetness. I will keep looking for more by this author. I hope publishers will continue rereleasing her older titles. My other favorites of hers have been Mrs. Tim and Miss Buncle. I know there are others I should try. ( )