Customer Reviews

Linnets and Valerians

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The phrasing and descriptions may be from another era, but the charm remains forever! The idea that children and adults can work together with respect and politeness is, I fear, completely foreign to today's society. It has become an "us" vs. "them" proposition. Won't you do your children a favor and read this book, or another of Goudge's, aloud to them one night?

I have yet to find any "contemporary" books that can compare to the innocent spirit and adventure of this, and other, Elizabeth Goudge books. It is a tragedy that they are so difficult to find today--I had to do an inter-library loan to get a copy to read.

Delightful escape from the brutal reality of our lifestyle of today, do yourself a favor and try to track down a copy. It will lift your spirits and make your day brighter every time you read it.

I first read this enchanting book as a child, and over the years have read it many more times with my daughters. Linnets & Valerians is a magnificent story about the adventuring spirit of childhood and the restorative power of the natural world. In a lush, appealing, way it presents the empowering advantages of higher learning and the great moral value of living an honest and kind life. Linnets and Valerians is also a deeply romantic story about the mystery of family lost and family found. From the first reading I thought this book would one day stand next to J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan and Aurther Ransom's Swallows and Amazons series. And while I found Harry Potter a delightful read, that recent best seller certainly pales next to the world of Goudges's Linnets & Valerians; a place in which good relationships between children and adults foster the growth of those children into wise and responsible adults themselves. I own one copy of this book but had hoped to obtain newer copies for my daughters when they were grown. I have found, to my grief, that this book is out of print. I would love to see Linnets & Valerians rediscovered in my library as Aurther Ransome has been, thanks largely to new paperback edtions with appealing cover illustrations. With the many glowing reviews on this site, won't some publisher consider re-issuing this book soon!

Okay I'm not sure about the pets. But this is a great story, I love kids stories like Wolves of Willoughby Chase, books by Edith Nesbit (The Enchanted Castle) and Tom's Midnight Garden. I especially love old fashion books like this one. The children are charming, their adventures full of wonderful characters like the grouchy uncle and the cheery gardener. Their search for a missing family is touching and sweet, and in the best of traditions, ends well with a hint of sadness.

I love the beautiful passages in this book - "It was a small silver bell, but it rang out in a marvellous manner, clear and sweet and loud, as though it were ten times its size, and echoes woke up in the house and answered it, ringing and ringing away and away like birdsong in the wood." The whole book is not like this, obviously, it's quite readable. But there are enough gorgeous passages with beautiful descriptions - I especially love the old-fashioned food and frequently force my husband to listen to my ravings about it.

I read this book almost 30 years ago. I so loved it that I kept thinking of it as a Disney film. My mother encouraged me to write to Disney about it, I did and actually received a reply. I have been trying to locate this book for years and refuse to give up! I have two daughters who need to read it!

Another one of those hidden library treasures that doesn't seemto exist on the bookstore shelf. I loved this story of 4 children whorun away from their strict grandmother's house to find themselves at their grandfather's(?) Lovely book. FOr all of those who lament this books dissapearance, there was an abridged version published(in the UK) as "the runaways", so sdon't despair. While not as wonderful as the original it is something.

I loved Linnets and Valerians. I reccomend it to anyone of any age. Was there ever a more innocent and caring character than Nan? Or a more charming and staight-forward character as young Betsy? And the boys were to be as expected in such a book -- fine brothers.
Linnet's and Valerians casts a magic spell over any who read it. Just looking at the cover gives you an idea what a enchanting book it is. I highly reccomend it! Anyone of any age would thoroughly enjoy it.

I first read this book as a pre-teen. Then reread it again and again until the cover began to shred off. The only other books I have read more often are Jane Austin's novels. It is a charming, magical tale, meant to please young children who truly believe in good witches, and the protective nature of bees.

Runaway children, a crusty old uncle, and guardian bees. A gentle adventure story with a satisfying end. Elizabeth Goudge writes as wonderful tales for children as she does for adults.

I have owned and re-read this book for years without realizing it is now rare and out-of-print. I read it when my life is too hectic, and am carried away by the magic and the age-old struggle of good people reaching for the light while being afraid of the darkness. And, of course, it all comes out well in the end...

I have been reading and re-reading this book for some 20 years now. Every time I read it I find it more mystical and enthralling. I look forward to reading it to my children and watching them get the same joy I experience every time I pick up this book. I would love to find a hardcover copy of this if anyone knows of one available as my paperback is becoming more and more used looking