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

[(Anonymous)]

Sounds delightful. I keep meaning to read Green Dolphin Country but it's such a long book. Never finished The Little White Horse, I must try again, I believe it inspired JK Rowling. Nicola

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

If you like reading about houses and furniture and what people wear and if you can tolerate a little magic in the woods, then it's delightful.

See comments above: Green Dolphin Country is not only long but hard to get through. The Little White Horse is a pretty universal favourite so I'm surprised you didn't finish that. It's also very pretty, with the C Walter Hodges illustrations.

[geraniumcat.livejournal.com]

I loved Green Dolphin Country when I was young - a book to get lost in! The Herb of Grace is probably my favourite of the Eliot books, but I love Towers in the Mist, too, and the Wells books. Actually I like most of her writing, but I haven't read The Valley of Song, and I did think The Middle Window was a bit grim.