Celia’s House
By: D.E. Stevenson
Rating: 5 of 5
I read many of Ms. Stevenson’s books when I was a child and teenager. As it turned out, I had not read this particular one, “Celia’s House” previously. As with other of her books that I have read, the author presents a charming face to the story but then goes a little deeper and gives us a look at some of the turbulence that is brewing below.
In this story, there is also the very slightest touch, really just a whisper, of the paranormal. Tiny clues that allow the reader to make what they will of what is being told. For me, in my reading of Ms. Stevenson’s books, this was a little out of the ordinary. I don’t usually read books that embrace the paranormal, but this touch was just enough for me to enjoy.
The book is the story about a house and members of the Dunne family who previously lived there, currently live there, and those who just may live there in the future. Thoughts of the house influence the characters and their life decisions.
The book is set Scotland from the period prior to WWI and ends in the midst of WWII (1905 to 1942). The book was also originally published during WWII (1943.) There is a bit of fatalism about the stringency of rationing and war effort that strikes harsh today but probably was the reality of the time. Otherwise, the book presents a charming picture of a bygone time but with people whose characters (including flaws) are recognizable today.
I am very pleased that Sourcebooks is making many classic Women’s Literature books available again as so many have been out of print for so long. I was thrilled with their publishing of Georgette Heyer’s books, now D. E. Stevenson, and I am hoping that Elizabeth Cadell will be an author we see in the future by this publishing house.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark, via Netgalley.
I read many of Ms. Stevenson’s books when I was a child and teenager. As it turned out, I had not read this particular one, “Celia’s House” previously. As with other of her books that I have read, the author presents a charming face to the story but then goes a little deeper and gives us a look at some of the turbulence that is brewing below.