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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
I'd forgotten how much I loved Mary Stewart as a teen. This book checked all my 'comfort-read' boxes and I foresee that the summer of '22 might well be The Summer of Mary Stewart.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I got this book from a free little library and was glad for it! It's a cozy 1940's fantasy-fiction that centers around a sad MC women who's "fairy godmother" aunt who passes and leaves her the title Thornyhold house. It was low stakes and the atmospheric descriptions made for a lovely cozy read. It lost some stars for me as it was a bit boring at parts at the romance in it felt a little silly but it wasn't a dealbreaker. If you like cozy nature witchcraft themed books, definitely give this short book a whirl.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Sexism
This was such a gentle read. I call them “garden reads” but in this case it’s practically literal.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The perfect cosy, autumn, a little bit witchy read.
Geilles Ramsey, inherits her cousin Geillis' house, right when she needs it. A lonely child, Gilly has a connection to her aunt, and when she inherits the house, she also inherits her cousin's reputation as a white witch and herbalist.
Local intrigues, some witchy happenings, and a budding romance with writer and widowed Christopher Dryden, as well as a friendship with his son, William, form the background to this cosy, witchy romance, written in Mary Stewart's later writing years.
Mary Stewart really is the queen of writing mystery, romance, plus with a heavy side of mystical and cosiness. This book is also a little biographical and perhaps echoes some of Mary Stewart's own childhood. It really is an enjoyable read, full of healing, hope, a little witchiness, and of course romance.
If you are looking for a nice comfortable read, I highly recommend it (along with all of Mary Stewart's work).
Geilles Ramsey, inherits her cousin Geillis' house, right when she needs it. A lonely child, Gilly has a connection to her aunt, and when she inherits the house, she also inherits her cousin's reputation as a white witch and herbalist.
Local intrigues, some witchy happenings, and a budding romance with writer and widowed Christopher Dryden, as well as a friendship with his son, William, form the background to this cosy, witchy romance, written in Mary Stewart's later writing years.
Mary Stewart really is the queen of writing mystery, romance, plus with a heavy side of mystical and cosiness. This book is also a little biographical and perhaps echoes some of Mary Stewart's own childhood. It really is an enjoyable read, full of healing, hope, a little witchiness, and of course romance.
If you are looking for a nice comfortable read, I highly recommend it (along with all of Mary Stewart's work).
3 1/2 probably but ... i wish i could remember where i'd heard about this book; maybe it was on here? on the comfort reads list, which is what i was hoping this book would be? either that or some random blog i cannot now locate. wherever it was, it was mentioned along with some longstanding favorites, so i'd hoped that i'd be able to add it to my personal list of comfort reads. it doesn't quite make it, but it was still a lovely and enchanting little jaunt. very quick reading, english cozy romance with a dash of witchcraft. i've never read mary stewart before, although i gather she's got quite a following. might be worth peeking at some of her others.
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A lovely, quiet daydream about a young woman gaining the autonomy she needs (via fairy godmother Cousin Geilles) to build a contented, self-sufficient life. The magical elements are left to the reader to assess, as most are given plausible earthly causes, but do add a bit of intrigue. The romance is very light, basically a reward for Gilly's stoicism. Comforting.
I forgot how well Mary Stewart wrote. Loved her Merlin books. This is more of a contemporary romance with a bit of fantasy. Quick read, nice change of pace if you want something light and positive.
I skipped along through Thornyhold by Mary Stewart in one day. The cover was a bit embarrassing and looked vaguely like a Christian romance or something, which is quite misleading: a good chunk of the book is about the heroine’s childhood, and while something like a romance does eventually develop, the fellow doesn’t even put in an appearance until more than halfway through the book. The rest is an introspective look at the way the heroine’s personality was formed and how it changes as a result of the mystery in which she finds herself. The book is not a classic, perhaps, but Stewart’s works possess considerably more depth than they are given credit for, I think. I read this while in the throes of moving and unpacking, and it was just the ticket for an enjoyable, moderately light read after a hard day.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty