The Child from the Sea [Hardcover]

Elizabeth Goudge (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Coward-McCann; 1st U.S edition (1979)
• ASIN: B000Z3FVLK
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,649,334 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical fiction that insists you believe every word!, November 27, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Child from the Sea (Hardcover)

Goudge depicts Lucy Walter as a warm, loving but wronged wife of Charles ll. We are led to belive throughout the novel that Charles truly adored his first "wife" and she was cast aside because of politics. The contents of the book have been denounced as historically inaccurate, however, that is insignifigant to the wonderful story-telling talents of Elizabeth Goudge. As an avid reader of historical facts and historical fiction, "The Child from the Sea" is the most well written account of a time long gone by. Truly, 'The Child From the Sea" is a novel that moves your heart while giving the reader a full account of life in 17th century London. You cannot afford to miss this one if you can find it!

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent Fictionalized History, June 19, 2008

By 

Meredith "Classicbookfreak" (Colorado Springs, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Child From The Sea (Hardcover)

I read this book a few months ago for the first time, and decided that I would purchase it as soon as I could find a good but not-too-expensive copy (being only a poor college student!) An avowed bookworm, I have read extensively in the different genres of fiction, including fictionalized history (a novel written about a real historical person) and historical fiction (set in history, can include real events and people but is not required to) and I can say unreservedly that The Child From The Sea is the best novel of either genre I've read. So many authors writing historical fiction fall into the trap of approaching historical events and people from a twenty-first century mindset. I have read so many books where medieval or renaissance or eighteenth century characters have all these modern ideas and mindsets, and even (and this is where I really cringe) talk like American teenagers in 2008! Elizabeth Goudge, however, has avoided both mistakes. She has written a book that rings true in every way; her characters are to the core of their time period. The story itself is fascinating, but it is the quality of the writing and the haunting beauty of the tone and setting that makes this book truly a masterpiece.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best, February 14, 2006

By 

Luna (New Hampshire, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Child from the Sea. (Hardcover)

I read this book for the first time almost 30 years ago as a teenager. It has remained my favorite book of all time and I also find myself re-reading it every few years. The character of Lucy Walter as developed by Ms. Goudge is one of depth and great feeling. I love her ties with the sea and the Welsh landscape. On a trip to Wales I could see Roch castle in the distance and felt so connected to it. I recommend this book for anyone who loves British cultural history and the land on which it evolved.