France

A curious book that straddles the border between juvenile and adult novel. Some passages are a bit shocking - at least I wasn't expecting them. The last few chapters are extremely exciting, and if the whole book had that kind of energy, it would have been more enjoyable, I think. It seemed, however, like things were spliced together. I was a bit disappointed by the sudden conclusion - just when things were getting interesting! - though it works quite well. Maybe I should read it again now that I grasp the whole picture better.

Loved the mood created by this book. The author beautifully captures the complicated feelings and experiences of children left unsupervised during a hot French summer. I loved seeing the adult world through the eyes of the 5 children (ages 4 to 16) with a focus on our narrator, a 13-year old girl named Cecil. It’s a coming of age story that turns into a mystery by the end with some high drama.

Five children are put up in a hotel in France after their mother falls desperately ill and is hospitalized. They are to name this time period, "Greengage Summer" after all the plums they ate in the hotel orchard.
Here at the hotel there is intrigue, mystery, love affairs and coming of age angst, as well as peaceful days of summer exploration.

While it seems like this is a book for kids, it's not really, as it deals with some rather adult themes. Nothing explicit but a child would be puzzled as to what is going on.

Also, if one knows French (I don't) there are French cuss words sprinkled throughout. I only know that because the dialog says that he cursed in French. It didn't really bother me because I didn't know the words anyway and just skipped over them.

Overall, another fine read from Rumer Godden.

I forced myself to pick this up before August ended because I knew it'd be a perfect summer read (and it was!!!), but I had NO idea I would love it as much as I did (I say this in every other review I write here but it's always such a pleasant surprise!).

I'm normally not a fan of coming-of-age novels or novels with children as the protagonists, but like "The Gypsy In The Parlor" by Margery Sharp (who has a very similar kind of lighthearted, subtle but potent humor I adore and CHERISH because it's actually kind of rare), it's told by the main character's older self.

Rumer's style of writing is so vivid and colorful and detailed that now I can basically tell my friends I went to France on vacation. The descriptions of Les Oeillets are absolutely gorgeous.

I was a bit surprised to see some people thought this book was "dark". In my opinion there were so many funny moments and it was written in such a charming, airy way (which by no means detracts from how well crafted it was), and one of the main reasons I enjoyed it so much. The scenes with boring old Uncle William, Hester and Willmouse (whose every line made me laugh out loud and whose name I might have to use for my future cat) were among some of my favorites, and even the darker moments weren't as dark as they'd be if written by a different author.

I also have to disagree with other people saying the first half of the book was too slow, because I actually preferred it to the more action packed second half - I loved exploring the hotel and seeing how it was run and walking through the town and meeting each and every character and going to French restaurants and churches - that honestly could've been the whole book for me and I'd still give it 5 stars. I also love the way Rumer weaved in Uncle William's commentary (whose every line, along with Willmouse, made me laugh - like when he introduces himself to the detectives with "My name is Bullock."). There was a lot of French in the book, which I don't speak, but the use of it here made sense to me, as almost all of the English characters didn't speak it either and it added to the fact they were outsiders.

I so look forward to reading more from Rumer Godden.

I feel so much joy when I find a perfect coming of age book that is quite interesting, entertaining and at the same time deep!

I had this on my radar for a long time, it’s good I remembered this when I was craving summer books. I am not disappointed at all.

I read Rodden’s children fiction, and liked a lot. I was reluctant to start this considering some authors, when excellent in one genre, lack something in other genres. This was the case with Judy Bloom. I love lover her children books, but her every coming of age or YA was 2 stars for me.

I’ve been to France for about 4 times, but my experience was nothing compared to the one these children had. This was a perfect french summer holiday (considering). I would love to go back in history, during that time period, have this french vacation in the small french town, be part of it.

This book had its magic, and I am glad I managed to be bewitched by that french summery spell.

PS my edition had a forward by the author telling about what really happened, as this was partial memoir, and it was interesting to see how a real life transforms into a fiction.

Note to anyone else who might want to read this. DON'T read the author's introduction until you've read the book. It contains spoilers. Unfortunately, I did, so I pretty much knew what would happen at the end before I really started the book. That said, it was well written, with very evocative descriptions, and it was possible to lose yourself in the place and time.

Not what I had expected, but pretty great.

I'm trying to come up with a definite time period for the setting of this novel. If Paul was a young child (perhaps five years old) when France was liberated (the summer of 1944) and assuming that he is around 18 at the time of the novel, then my best guess is that it would be set around 1957. It was published in 1958. Any further ideas?

2.5 stars. This book is a lot of things in under 200 pages—it’s a coming-of-age tale (we even get a first period), a mystery (not a very good one), an adventure of plucky orphans (at least situationally) and the adults they annoy, and a weird Lolita/young seductress creepy love triangle (quadrangle, really). The writing is quite evocative, however.

Rumer Godden spins words into gold.

The Greengage Summer is part coming-of-age story and part mystery. The descriptions of the old hotel and countryside of 1920’s champagne country in France were magnificent. The 5 Grey children are left on their own at an old French hotel when their mother becomes ill and must be hospitalized. The story is told from the point of view of 13-year-old Cecil. She is a clever girl and even though she has come from a sheltered background, has an intuitive understanding of the motives of the adults around her.
This is the third Rumer Godden book I’ve read, and they’ve all been extremely good. Rumer Godden had a fascinating life, living in both England and India and she wrote more than 60 books. I plan on adding more of her books to my TBR list!

Rachel bought me a new copy this week when I discovered to my shock that it was not on my shelves! How could I have lost it? I devoured it again in 48 hours - soothing my coughing nights. A truly idyllic description of crazy French holidays, and the revelation that I had not spotted (25 odd years ago when I first read this) that Willmouse was obviously gay. A re-read must. Now on to the Peacock Spring.