Wednesday 30 April 2008

Thornyhold by Mary Stewart

When Gilly's witch aunt leaves Thornyhold to her, a house in the middle of the woods, Gilly finds that she has inherited far more than she realized. Along with the house comes a cat, a still room filled with herbs (and a missing recipe book), an attic chamber with carrier pigeons (who have secret messages), and an attractive neighbor whose young son offers the sacred and unique blessing of friendship. But Thornyhold possesses far more than even these simple offerings. The place itself seems to convoke otherworldly gifts as well: Gilly cultivates the abilities to heal and to foresee the future once she makes Thornyhold her home.

The story begins with Geilis as a young girl living with strict religious parents with not even a friend but, her aunt is her fairy godmother of sorts who keeps an eye out for her and of course, when she dies leaving her Thornyhold.

This was a lovely step back to England 60 years ago, the only books I have read by Mary Stewart was the Arthurian series (which I must read again!) so compared to that this was nowhere near as good bu, as very different stories its not even worth a comparison.

This was very easy to read of a love story with a witchy twist, a sweet read but, probably wouldn't read it again.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Sounds lovely. Like you I have only read her Merlin series. I am interested to see what the rest of her writing is like...