The Herb of Grace

[callmemadam]

I have an on-off relationship with Elizabeth Goudge. Some of her books, like Henrietta's House I can read anytime; others, like Valley of Song, I can't read at all. I was looking for an escapist, happy read and I picked The Herb of Grace (1948), the second of three books about the Eliot family. It's just as wonderful as I remembered it; I don't think anyone did slightly magical comfort better. It's set in Hampshire, near Buckler’s Hard and is about two houses: Damerosehay, presided over by Lucilla, and The Herb of Grace, an old pilgrim inn or Maison Dieu. (I think this was published in the US as Pilgrim Inn?) The house is a character in itself, a place of healing for members of the large Eliot family and for those who visit it. The beautiful old inn and the lovely countryside nearby are lyrically described; this must have been just what people wanted after the war. It's still utterly delightful today for those in the right mood for it, as I was.

Comments

[scarletts-web.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed The Little White Horse as a child, and I'm sure I read Valley of Song - is it about shipbuilding and a magical land? It must be 25 years since I last read it and I can't find any reviews on the internets.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

The Little White Horse is lovely; I wonder what the film will be like? The Torminster books are nice, based on Wells, where EG grew up.

Yes, Valley of Song is about shipbuilding (the Hard again) and a way through into a magical land. I find it too much for me although I accept the magic in other stories. It's quite a scarce title now.