I was a little concerned when I picked up Tryst by Elswyth Thane as this was a reread of a book that I had loved as a young girl. I was afraid that it hadn’t stood the test the time, but luckily I was once again swept up in the romantic story. Yes, it was a little dated and more than a little “sappy” but it was exactly how I remembered and hoped it would be.

Originally published in 1939 and set in the lovely English countryside, this is a romantic ghost story as Sabrina and her family arrive to take up a lease on the country home of Nun’s Farthing. Sabrina’s father is working on a book about prehistoric England, her aunt Effie runs the household and eighteen year old Sabrina is relaxing and learning about life outside of the school room. She becomes obsessed by the locked bedroom of one of the owner’s sons. Eventually she picks the lock and spends much of her time in this room wondering about the man who lives there. Meanwhile in India, the man in question, Hilary is dying after taking a bullet. Hilary longs to return home and feels a connection drawing him back to Nun’s Farthing. He soon realizes that Sabrina is the connection and would have been his wife if he had lived. Together they form a strong bond as his presence becomes her sanctuary.

I think I was around twelve when I first read Tryst so of course the story didn’t speak to me emotionally as strongly as it did when I was at that impressionable age. I am not sure what I would have thought of this book if this had been my first read but I suspect the old lady in me would have had more appreciation for Aunt Effie and her concerns. This time I did notice the number of fore-warnings that the author scattered throughout the story. The writing is simple and straightforward and she easily manages to pass her opinions on war, family and love to the reader. ( )

I absolutely loved this book. I can think of only one other book that made me cry. As soon as I finished my library copy, I ordered my own copy because I just HAD to own it.. I'm not sure why this one struck me as strongly as it did, but I suspect that at least part of it is its "fateful love even after death" theme. ( )

This is not a book that one can just run out to the local bookstore and grab off the shelf. It was last printed in wide release in the 70's, and is now available mainly used or through reprint services, so it requires a little tracking down. Nevertheless, I would argue that it will be worth the effort for most readers. The story starts out just after World War I and follows 17 year-old Sabrina as her father and aunt move her from their London flat to a leased house in the country. Sabrina immediately becomes fascinated by the locked room on the top floor and picks the lock, only to discover a room filled with books and mementos that looks as if the owner stepped out only recently. The room belongs to the owner's younger brother, who we discover is on a covert operation in India. Without giving too much away, I can tell you that the room's owner ends up returning to his room (under some unusual circumstances) and finds a kindred spirit in Sabrina. There are some aspects to this story that some people might criticize. It's sentimental, some of the characters are two-dimensional, and the social relationships reflect the book's 1939 publication date. To these people I would argue that "you're thinking too much!" This is a book to read on a lazy afternoon, or to stay up too late just so you can finish it, not a book for close reading and intense discussion. I will be keeping this book close. I'm certain that it will be one of those books that I read again and again: the written equivalent of comfort food. ( )

I read "Tryst" many years ago. It is a beautiful book in many ways. . . . well-written, and persuasive (unless you refuse to believe in ghosts). It is also powerfully sad. I wept when I read it the first time, and now, many years later, I still tear up. ~~~~To those who have not read it I say find it in library and spend a few hours engrossed in a gentle love story: I think you will be rewarded. ( )

Ex-lib. SDL ( )