Yes! That does add an extra layer of delicious. We are just getting to that part of the story now. They've just arrived at the pa and saved the chief's son.
It's so fun reading it with my daughter, almost as good as reading it for the first time. Maybe even better because I can anticipate her reaction.
It is a very long time since I read Green Dolphin Country. I think it is time for a re-read. I’m curious to know which of Elizabeth Goudge’s other books you have read? Also, I think you would enjoy Fifteen Wild Decembers, which is historical fiction telling the story of the Brontë family through the eyes of Emily.
The Scent of Water, Gentian Hill, and The Dean’s Watch. As well as Linnets and Valerians and The Little White Horse. I didn’t especially enjoy the latter two. Maybe I read them too late, but her children’s books didn’t have the magic for me that her adult novels have had.
Melanie, I believe I've told you this before but Green Dolphin Street (Country) is my favorite book. Ever. I've read it twice and have enough quotes from it in my commonplace journal to write another book, I believe.
I think it's wonderful you're reading it with your daughter; the picture that Goudge paints of marriage is a sturdy and God-centered one, if you ask me. Much needed in our "I'll quit when it gets hard" world.
Yes, one of the things I love best about Green Dolphin Street is its portrayal of marriage. I think fiction is indispensable to the conversation about what marriage is and should be and it the best tool through which to open up a conversation about marriage with teens.
I do know there's a film -- it always comes up in my google searches, and I'm a little curious about it, but I don't watch many movies and often don't enjoy movies made from books. However the casting of Lana Turner and Donna Reed seems pretty spot-on for Marianne and Marguerite.
Melanie, after reading your work for several months, I must say, you are an excellent literary critic! I aspire to be the kind of close and thoughtful reader that you are. I have put off reading Jane Eyre again, but you have made it clear that I would read it differently with more life experience.
Thank you, Katy. Writing literary criticism is one of my great passions. (And a way to actually use my English degrees.) I write it for myself first of all and when I hit publish I never am sure if anyone will want to read what I have to say. It's a thrill to have appreciative readers.
That older me would have a different appreciation for the great literature I read in college was something I kind of knew even as a college student, but the lived experience of re-reading the classics as a middle aged mother of teens is still somehow an unexpected delight. I really do read everything differently and appreciate it more. It makes me wonder what re-reading them in my 70s and 80s will be like.
This is beautifully written, Melanie. Jane Eyre deepens and develops more for me every time I read it. And now I need to go and buy a copy of Green Dolphin Street!
So much delicious dramatic irony in this passage when you know how Samuel and Tai Haruru's relationship ends too. Great parallel!
Yes! That does add an extra layer of delicious. We are just getting to that part of the story now. They've just arrived at the pa and saved the chief's son.
It's so fun reading it with my daughter, almost as good as reading it for the first time. Maybe even better because I can anticipate her reaction.
I read Goudge for the the first time recently. I may need to add Green Dolphin Street to my TBR.
I've only read four of her books so far, but everything I've read I've loved. Green Dolphin Street is my favorite.
It is a very long time since I read Green Dolphin Country. I think it is time for a re-read. I’m curious to know which of Elizabeth Goudge’s other books you have read? Also, I think you would enjoy Fifteen Wild Decembers, which is historical fiction telling the story of the Brontë family through the eyes of Emily.
The Scent of Water, Gentian Hill, and The Dean’s Watch. As well as Linnets and Valerians and The Little White Horse. I didn’t especially enjoy the latter two. Maybe I read them too late, but her children’s books didn’t have the magic for me that her adult novels have had.
I will have to look up Fifteen Wild Decembers. It does sound like my cup of tea.
Also, it’s lovely to hear from you, Kathryn.
Melanie, I believe I've told you this before but Green Dolphin Street (Country) is my favorite book. Ever. I've read it twice and have enough quotes from it in my commonplace journal to write another book, I believe.
I think it's wonderful you're reading it with your daughter; the picture that Goudge paints of marriage is a sturdy and God-centered one, if you ask me. Much needed in our "I'll quit when it gets hard" world.
You know there's a film that was made with Lana Turner? I've yet to be able to find it but here's a link: https://youtu.be/yfxtWl1dUUo?si=DVYUxOyhjiKUMy5p
PS you've inspired me to read Jane Eyre--only ever saw the film with Kiera Knightley--thank you!
Yes, one of the things I love best about Green Dolphin Street is its portrayal of marriage. I think fiction is indispensable to the conversation about what marriage is and should be and it the best tool through which to open up a conversation about marriage with teens.
I do know there's a film -- it always comes up in my google searches, and I'm a little curious about it, but I don't watch many movies and often don't enjoy movies made from books. However the casting of Lana Turner and Donna Reed seems pretty spot-on for Marianne and Marguerite.
Jane Eyre is so good! Enjoy!
Melanie, after reading your work for several months, I must say, you are an excellent literary critic! I aspire to be the kind of close and thoughtful reader that you are. I have put off reading Jane Eyre again, but you have made it clear that I would read it differently with more life experience.
Thank you, Katy. Writing literary criticism is one of my great passions. (And a way to actually use my English degrees.) I write it for myself first of all and when I hit publish I never am sure if anyone will want to read what I have to say. It's a thrill to have appreciative readers.
That older me would have a different appreciation for the great literature I read in college was something I kind of knew even as a college student, but the lived experience of re-reading the classics as a middle aged mother of teens is still somehow an unexpected delight. I really do read everything differently and appreciate it more. It makes me wonder what re-reading them in my 70s and 80s will be like.
This is beautifully written, Melanie. Jane Eyre deepens and develops more for me every time I read it. And now I need to go and buy a copy of Green Dolphin Street!
Thank you very much, Shannon. I hope you love Green Dolphin Street as much as I do.