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View Full Version : The Greengage Summer by Rumer Godden



kelby_lake
08-03-2010, 08:01 AM
Compelling and underrated novel about a group of English siblings' experiences over one summer spent in France under the care of a charming Englishman called Elliot when their mother is taken ill.

The novel is told through the eyes of Cecil, the second eldest sister, who is thirteen when the novel takes place. As Cecil chronicles their experiences living in a French hotel, gorging on greengages (a type of fruit), she also tells of her 16 year old sister Joss's ability to entrance men- in particular Elliot- and her own transition from girl to woman.

However things take a sinister turn

A compelling coming of age story about the loss of innocence, subtly written by Rumer Godden (it's never clear how far Joss and Elliot's relationship has gone, since it's all told by Cecil).

kasie
08-03-2010, 08:55 AM
Thank you for reminding me about Rumer Godden, kelby. I read several of her books with great pleasure some time ago but not Greengage Summer. I think it was made into a film, way back when, the 60s or maybe even the 50s. I shall look out for it and in the meantime dust down my copy of Kingfishers Catch Fire, part of which is set in Kashmir, a part of the world I think Godden knew well.

qimissung
08-04-2010, 11:51 PM
I love Rumer Godden, although it's been years since I've read her books. I have read "Greengage Summer" and I think "Kingfisher Catch Fire" has a similar plot. I don't think anybody's better at loss of innocence.

kelby_lake
08-19-2010, 02:25 PM
agreed :)