Thornyhold [Hardcover]

MARY STEWART (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1988

To Gilly Ramsey, during her lonely childhood, the occasional brief visits of her mother's cousin Geillis were a delight, appearing to the unhappy child like the visits of a fairy godmother. Years later, when Geillis was dead, and had willed her house, Thornyhold, to Gilly, the latter discovered that "fairy godmother" was indeed apt. For cousin Geillis, with her still-room and her herbalist's practice -- and her undoubted powers -- had long been known to the locals as a witch. And Gilly, inheriting "the witch's house," inherits, too, in spite of herself, her cousin's reputation. She is approached by neighbors, some innocent, some not so innocent, but all assuming that she, too, is a witch, and a possible addition to the local coven. There is some truth in this, for Gilly, to her own surprise and discomfort, finds that in difficult moments she can call on a kind of power; it is as if Cousin Geillis is still somewhere in house and garden, weaving her own spells. Mary Stewart has written a twentieth-century love story, delicate in its perception of a young woman's falling in love, delightful in its portrayal of the English countryside, and skilled in its creation of a world where the magic casements open upon peril, but also upon hope and happiness.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 188 pages
• Publisher: THE LEISURE CIRCLE; 1 edition (1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0747257957
• ISBN-13: 978-0747257950
• ASIN: B000NUJL5C
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,033,150 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mart Stewart, one of the most popular novelists writing today, was born in Sunderland, County Durham, England. After boarding-school, she recieved a B.A. with first class honors in English Language and Literature from Durham University and went on for her M.A. Later she returned to her own University as a Lecturer in English. She married in 1945. Her husband is Sir Frederick Stewart, who is Chairman of the Geology Department at Edinburgh University, and a Fellow of the Royal Society.Mary Stewart's career as a novelist began in 1954 with the publication of Madam, Will You Talk? Since then she has published fifteen successful novels, including The Last Enchantment, the third book of the magical trilogy about the legendary enchanter Merlin and young Arthur. Her books for young readers, The Little Broomstick (1971) and Ludo and the Star Horse (1974), quickly met with the same success as her other novels. In 1968, she was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts. In 1971, the Scottish Chapter of the International PEN Association awarded her the Frederick Niven prize for the The Crystal Cave. In 1974, the Scottish Arts Council Award went to Ludo and the Star Horse.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loneliness Finds Love, June 6, 2002

By 

Diana F. Von Behren "reneofc" (Kenner, LA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thornyhold (Hardcover)

My first response to this novel, when it was originally published, was to compare it negatively to Mary Stewart's earlier thrillers. I thought the plot trivial, the heroine insipid and overall wondered if the author, always one of my favorites,was losing her magical touch that had inspired me for over 20 years. Now, upon listening to the audio book version read by the talented Jane Asher, I believe my first impressions was wrong.

Granted Geillis Ramsey is not Mary Stewart's typical heroine: the career girl on vacation or on the new job who through a set of odd happenstances literally must fend for her life. Geillis is reflective. While Ms Stewart's other heroines, report and record the vivid locales through the sense-provoking medium of the author's glorious prose, Geillis Ramsey revels in it. She is an older contemplative Ms Stewart telling of her love of home, relating small yet monumentally beautiful occurrences of her own life, set in the green splendour of the UK. At the same time, she weaves these "little things" into a feasible fictional story of a lonely girl who with the help of an older unorthodox cousin finds her special niche in terms of self, community and finally love. The elan of witchcraft interjects a minor touch of the old Stewart suspense, but, on the whole, I believe this is Ms Stewart's tribute to life, love, and nature.

Lyrically beautiful and highly recommended.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Magical Place To Go, January 23, 2000

By 

lou greulich - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thornyhold (Mass Market Paperback)

I've been reading Mary Stewart since high school, which was a long time ago. I've always been taken with her ability to evoke a sense of place and atmosphere. In THORNYHOLD she does this superbly. In STORMY PETRAL and ROSE COTTAGE I, very sadly, felt her advanced age was affecting her writing. I was afraid I'd read my last really good Mary Stewart book. However, THORNYHOLD is wonderful; a lovely place to escape to when you need a break from this hectic modern world, and feel the need to spend some time in a romantic cottage full of magic. I recommend you visit soon and often.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Being a witch has never been so lovely!, October 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Thornyhold (Mass Market Paperback)

I thought this book was the one of the best I have read in a long time. You could curl up by a fire and read for hours. It's like a fantasy world. I'm sure everyone has dreamed of being a witch one or twice in there life,But, fore Gellis it has come true. If you like Gothic and you like a romantic witch story this is the book for you!