Elizabeth Goudge (1900–1984)

I read a newer print of the edition with illustrations by [a:Margot Tomes|402448|Margot Tomes|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]. I believe the reproduction of the art may be faulty, as there is potential for charm but it seems all blurry.

The story charms, though. It's definitely magical, like so many Christmas stories, especially the short ones meant to shared by the family together. I loved it even though I'm an atheist who does not celebrate Christmas (and read it in February). I will consider more by the author.

And it instructs about the Wise Men's gifts:

"Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Their wealth, their prayer, their death. Three good gifts."... "When he put his fingers on the table Balthasar left myrrh. His death, you understand, to enrich their life."

I'm off to research that now, as I've never heard that. Though I have wondered what the gifts meant, and read some more trivial explanations.… (more)

When orphaned young Maria Merryweather arrives at Moonacre Manor, she feels as if she's entered Paradise. Her new guardian, her uncle Sir Benjamin, is kind and funny; the Manor itself feels like home right away; and every person and animal she meets is like an old friend. But there is something incredibly sad beneath all of this beauty and comfort--a tragedy that happened years ago, shadowing Moonacre Manor and the town around it--and Maria is determined to learn about it, change it, and give her own life story a happy ending. But what can one solitary girl do?… (more)

I started off semi-excited about reading this. I enjoyed The Little White Horse and was looking for something light and "storyish". It took awhile to get into, then I started liking it a bit in the middle, then the last third or so was just not good at all and I found myself liking it less the more I read on.

The plot twist was predictable but sweet in places, and I did appreciate the themes of forgiveness and the mercy of God. Unfortunately, the author has no problem mixing in all kinds of pagan traditions about Christmas, Christianity, walking out the Bible, etc. and treats it all rather flippantly and on the same level. Poetic portions that are meant to be supernatural end up sounding pagan and humanistic.

This extremely imaginative author often makes one wonder to what audience she is writing. The child/teen characters are, in the author's own words, extraordinarily mature. Ugh, yes, and not at all believable. The John and Rosalind storyline was distracting and the "big revelation" was extremely anticlimactic. This was not one of my favorites, for sure.

I did learn quite a bit, though. Mummers = play actors who put on a Christmas pageant show. Bullroarer = an obnoxious but common primitive noise maker. Shipmen are usually portrayed with a scarf tied around their heads because they used it to help stifle the sound of the guns. I'm also quite curious about the planting chant and plan to research that a bit.

Favorite quote: "It's not the mark of a good patriot to hate the enemy...it's the mark of a patriot to love his country."… (more)