"A captivating story filled with English charm, luminous wisdom, and astounding spiritual insight"

Goudge's singular gift is the depth and insight she brings to her characters. Mary Lindsay is a born and bred Londoner who has enjoyed her city life--a prestigious job, and friends with whom she takes in the city pleasures of theatre, art and music. But fleeting memories of a childhood visit to her father's elderly cousin out in the country are revived with the news that the woman has willed her home, the Laurels, to Mary. She makes an uncharacteristically sudden and life-changing decision to leave London for the country. The gradual unfolding of her understanding of herself, of the now-deceased woman who has bequeathed her home to Mary, and of the people of Appleshaw, all weave together in a most memorable story of love's redemptive power.

While there were a few shining moments in this book, overall it failed to hold my attention due to its tendency to keep the reader at arm's length from many of the scenes. Instead of taking me through a scene and allowing me to experience it with the characters, there was often just a summing-up of an afternoon or evening's events.
I enjoyed the setting and the premise, but it grew way too contemplative and, dare I say, even metaphysical. I wasn't totally on board with all of it, though I wanted to like it. ( )

Just as beautiful the second time around.
( )

And Goodreads strikes again--- somehow deleting a perfectly good review.

As usual, Goudge does a wonderful job at traveling through different classes(which definitely existed in this time period and location), relationships, mental illness, and ages. I loved her focus and exploration of reconciliation, perspective and healing here, though I never was interested in the journal entries. Possibly because I knew the outcome of that particular story?

I also loved the last line. A lovely little metaphor that sends you out into the world with something to ruminate about during the quiet moments. ( )

A dreamy, understated sketch of village life in England with an old-fashioned way of life. Characterisations are strongly drawn but the narrative rather frequently lacked enough tension to hold my interest. ( )