Thursday, November 30, 2017

Book Beginnings: The Four Graces by D.E. Stevenson


Here is the beginning of "The Four Graces" by D. E. Stevenson: "The voice that breathed o'er Eden, That earliest wedding day, The primal marriage blessing, It hath not passed away." Matilda Grace was humming the words to herself as she played it on the organ. She enjoyed playing the organ in her father's church -- firstly, because she knew the instrument so well (it was a very old friend and possessed the faults and failings of an artistic temperament); secondly, because making any sort of music gave her pleasure; and thirdly (why not admit it?), because it really was rather amusing to see everybody without being seen."
This is the second of Stevenson's books I have read, the first was the wonderful "Miss Buncle's Book". The four Graces are the four Grace sisters, and the setting is an English village. The book was published in 1946.
D.E. Stevenson was born in Edinburgh in 1892 and she lived in Scotland her whole life. In her lifetime 7 million copies of her books were sold, in Great Britain and the USA. I like what the author wrote in a short preface explaining the humor the Graces display: The author has found that "All the best people have at least one bat in the balfry."
Rose City Reader hosts a Friday event where we are all invited to post the first sentence or two of a book we are reading.
I am adding this on Monday, Dec. 4. I quickly completed reading "The Four Graces" and loved it. It is charming, happy and all the characters are appealing, except for aunt Rona who barges in and hopes to live with them permanently and sets her cap for Mr. Grace. I ordered another of her books yesterday, "Miss Buncle Married", because this one was so good. Be sure and read "Miss Buncle's Book" before the one I have on order. Happy reading.

12 comments:

Angela said...

One of my favorite books- love it!

only slightly confused said...

Sounds like something I would enjoy.

The Weaver of Grass said...

I have never heard of that author - must look out for her.

Susan D said...

The Four Graces is one of my favourites of all of D E Stevenson's many books. But I like them all, of course. Go ahead. Read more of her books.

You might like to find out more at my DES website, www.destevenson.org

Read long and prosper.

happyone said...

I'll have to put this on my to read book list.
Thanks!

Jennifer said...

I shall look for it. Thank you!!

Blondie's Journal said...

The books sound delightful, Terra! A few of your commenters have heard of the author, so I really have to delve in!

I recently finished up a novel that is set in Scotland...I so enjoyed it, and I'll give it a little review in my next blog post.

Teresa Kasner said...

That looks like a gorgeous book! I'm reading the Cuban Affair by Nelson DeMille, it's interesting to learn about current day Cuba. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

NanaNor's said...

Great Review! Hope you are having a fun time with all the holiday events.
Hugs,
Noreen

Pamela M. Steiner said...

That sounds like a great book. I will have to see if it is in my library! Thanks for sharing this. I like books like that. Thinking of you in this Advent season, and sending my prayers and hugs your way. God bless you dear friend.

liparifam said...

Oh, thanks for the recommendation for something new! I ordered Miss Buncle's Book, The Four Graces, and Mrs. Tim of the Regiment...

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Just thought I'd come back and comment again. I could not find "The four Graces" in our public libraay, but I did find several others written by this author, and I truly enjoyed them. When I save up some extra fun money I will order The Four Graces from Amazon. I'm sure I'll like them since I liked D.E. Stevenson's other books! Thanks for sharing this with us!! Happy New Year!!