Linnets and Valerians

Rating:
Summary: I read this as a child and loved it.
Review: Do all children love the dreamy side of life? I counted on books to take me to that magic place. I've looked for this books for the last 30 years in 2nd hand bookstores and never found it. I hope children in this day will still enjoy it.

Rating:
Summary: A Rich World of Childhood Enchantment
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: still wonderful
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: Enchanting and Magical...
Review: 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...

Rating:
Summary: I Adored Linnets And Valerians!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Like finding a long-lost best friend
Review: I read "Linnets and Valerians" over and over as a child, captivated by the magic of a great story. I finally lost my copy of it about 12 years ago, and heart-brokenly discovered that it was out of print. I had the best birthday ever this past year when my sister and mother located a copy in a Denver thrift store. Since then, my mother has seen it several times, so copies are out there if you're willing to look!

Rating:
Summary: beloved book
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: My sister and I have loved this book since we we were children. Some 30 years ago. Now my daughter age 12 and I read it every summer. It is one of the best books written

Rating:
Summary: uplifting and wonderful fantasy for kids of all ages
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: I Adored Linnets And Valerians!
Review: This charming children's story takes place in pre-WWI England. The Linnet children sent to live with their grandmother after the death of their mother. Their father is off in Egypt, serving as an officer in the army. But the children can't accept the rigid rules and structured life that Grandmother lays down for them and they escape from the house in a stolen pony cart. The pony leads them to the house of a gruff but kindly old gentleman who grudgingly allows them to stay overnight. They don't know it, but the formidable gentleman is their very own uncle, who is a vicar and bachelor. And also a scholar and famous educator. They are allowed to stay only under the condition that they be educated. And here begins a magical adventure, with spells with the somewhat bewitching and ancient Emma Cobb, the folk-wise Ezra, who is the vicar's sexton and factotum, a mysterious hermit who can't talk and an old lady who walks in her mansion garden only by moonlight. The Linnet children absorb the difficult classical Greek education of their scholarly uncle every morning, and have adventures in the afternoon. Eventually, they unravel the mysteries that surround them and everyone lives happily ever after.

This is a lovely story and filled with love, good natured fun and a bit of fairy tale. If you like the Potter books, this story is one you will also enjoy with your kids.