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The House on the Cliff
"Suddenly Glen Siddons turned his head and saw her . . . and smiled to her. He had smiled to her as if they two were alone in the world and she had fallen in love with him then and there." Elfrida Jane, accustomed to the energetic life of a small-part actress, finds life at Mountain Cross very different. At first her mother’s old cliff-top house seems lonely and bleak, compared to the glitter and bustle of the theatre. But Elfrida has plenty of courage and soon settles down to enjoy herself. Then, suddenly, her peace is shattered. To the house on the cliff come unexpected visitors from the world of the theatre – a world Elfrida thought she had left behind forever... The House on the Cliff is a delightful romantic story told by an expert in the field. D. E. Stevenson was born in Edinburgh, the daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter of civil engineers who designed many Scottish lighthouses. Her father was a first cousin of Robert Louis Stevenson. She was educated privately and travelled widely in France and Italy with her parents. She married a major in the Highland Light Infantry and moved with the regiment from place to place gaining valuable experience of life and people. Her first really successful novel, Mrs Tim, was published in 1933.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1966
About the author
D.E. Stevenson
68 books662 followersThere is more than one author with this name
Dorothy Emily Stevenson was a best-selling Scottish author. She published more than 40 romantic novels over a period of more than 40 years. Her father was a cousin of Robert Louis Stevenson.
D.E. Stevenson had an enormously successful writing career: between 1923 and 1970, four million copies of her books were sold in Britain and three million in the States. Like E.F. Benson, Ann Bridge, O. Douglas or Dorothy L. Sayers (to name but a few) her books are funny, intensely readable, engaging and dependable.
Dorothy Emily Stevenson was a best-selling Scottish author. She published more than 40 romantic novels over a period of more than 40 years. Her father was a cousin of Robert Louis Stevenson.
D.E. Stevenson had an enormously successful writing career: between 1923 and 1970, four million copies of her books were sold in Britain and three million in the States. Like E.F. Benson, Ann Bridge, O. Douglas or Dorothy L. Sayers (to name but a few) her books are funny, intensely readable, engaging and dependable.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 107 reviews
February 27, 2025
Another DES to love! She is absolutely one of my top 5 favorite writers. This is the sweet story of Elfrida Jane who lives a hand-to-mouth existence in London as a bit-part stage actress. She ends up inheriting her mother’s family’s property down in the west country by the sea and decides to live there. Her London friends thinks she’s crazy, but Elfrida Jane longs to be in the country and in her ancestral home. Luckily for her, an older couple called the Chownes are the caretakers of the property and welcome Elfrida Jane with open arms. (The Chownes are the best!!) She takes to her new home like a frog to a pond and the subsequent story of her first few months in the house is wonderful. There is a found family element, a romance, and some dubious characters in the mix too. And the most heart warming ending!
November 24, 2023
Read it again and want to live here so badly that I am giving it 5 stars now. Some books are not great but they touch me. That makes me love it.
March 20, 2015
This is a clean, sweet read and I enjoyed it very much. If you're ever looking for a feel good "palate cleanser " between books, D E Stevenson seems a good choice.
There's really not a complicated plot or even much in the way of twists and turns. I found it fairly predictable but I still enjoyed it. I was debating what to rate it...
Because of its simplicity I thought a solid 3. But you really can't compare apples to peaches. 'The House On the Cliff ' isn't trying to be 'War and Peace ' so you cant put them side by side and compare.
So for what this is: a sweet love story along the lines of "The Secret Garden" for grown-ups, it succeeds.
In a nutshell, a rather destitute orphan (hopelessly infatuated with her charismatic coworker) inherits her ancestor's old homestead and leaves everything in the city behind. Its a story of discovery. First, of oneself, second, where one belongs, and lastly who to share one's life with.
CONTENT :
SEX : None
VIOLENCE : None
PROFANITY : None
MY RATING : G
There's really not a complicated plot or even much in the way of twists and turns. I found it fairly predictable but I still enjoyed it. I was debating what to rate it...
Because of its simplicity I thought a solid 3. But you really can't compare apples to peaches. 'The House On the Cliff ' isn't trying to be 'War and Peace ' so you cant put them side by side and compare.
So for what this is: a sweet love story along the lines of "The Secret Garden" for grown-ups, it succeeds.
In a nutshell, a rather destitute orphan (hopelessly infatuated with her charismatic coworker) inherits her ancestor's old homestead and leaves everything in the city behind. Its a story of discovery. First, of oneself, second, where one belongs, and lastly who to share one's life with.
CONTENT :
SEX : None
VIOLENCE : None
PROFANITY : None
MY RATING : G
October 28, 2023
Can't believe it's been more than 10 years now since I first read this book... Not sure how many years it's been since I first discovered DES.
Original review:
Very enjoyable story about a girl named Elfrida Jane, an actress of mediocre talent who finds herself alone in the world after the death of her mother. A friend sees an advertisement in the newspaper from someone who is looking for Elfrida or her mother. When Elfrida answers the ad, she finds that a lawyer stands ready to help her claim her inheritance-- her mother's family's ancestral home, an estate called Mountain Cross. Because of a family disagreement, Elfrida never met her grandparents and never visited their home. Now when she goes to survey it, she falls in love with it and determines to keep it, give up her career on the stage, and live there. This begins her journey to greater self-confidence and contentment. Along the way, she becomes responsible for a darling little boy, falls in love with a man of the nicest sort, and gains a feeling of belonging within her neighborhood. Extremely pleasant and relaxing read. More plot than some of D.E. Stevenson's books.
Original review:
Very enjoyable story about a girl named Elfrida Jane, an actress of mediocre talent who finds herself alone in the world after the death of her mother. A friend sees an advertisement in the newspaper from someone who is looking for Elfrida or her mother. When Elfrida answers the ad, she finds that a lawyer stands ready to help her claim her inheritance-- her mother's family's ancestral home, an estate called Mountain Cross. Because of a family disagreement, Elfrida never met her grandparents and never visited their home. Now when she goes to survey it, she falls in love with it and determines to keep it, give up her career on the stage, and live there. This begins her journey to greater self-confidence and contentment. Along the way, she becomes responsible for a darling little boy, falls in love with a man of the nicest sort, and gains a feeling of belonging within her neighborhood. Extremely pleasant and relaxing read. More plot than some of D.E. Stevenson's books.
March 22, 2019
I loved this story and the setting! It was a very light and satisfying read, enjoyed it but I found Elfrida to be a silly goose of a girl in some instances, which was in stark contrast to other brave moments of her life. Her hiding in the basement or in the woods from people, not knowing how to ride a bike or wanting to learn, or getting a car to visit her neighbors, just seemed strange to me, even though she was living without much income. She had a hard life up until the point of her inheritance and her luck gave her an envious lifestyle.
May 29, 2025
Even better the second time around!
Another delightful story from one of my favorite authors. A sweet, lovely story filled with romance, great characters, and yes, a very happy ending.
Another delightful story from one of my favorite authors. A sweet, lovely story filled with romance, great characters, and yes, a very happy ending.
January 13, 2020
D.E. Stevenson's books remind me a lot of Rosamund Pilcher. I wonder how much she was influenced by Stevenson.
I really enjoyed this simple, quiet story. It's not nearly so funny as Miss Buncle's Book, but it has the same sort of sweet charm. It's a story for a rainy day, with pleasant characters, a beautiful setting, and light romantic tension. No gritty realism here.
There are several of Stevenson's books available through the kindle unlimited library, including this one, so you can read it for free.
I really enjoyed this simple, quiet story. It's not nearly so funny as Miss Buncle's Book, but it has the same sort of sweet charm. It's a story for a rainy day, with pleasant characters, a beautiful setting, and light romantic tension. No gritty realism here.
There are several of Stevenson's books available through the kindle unlimited library, including this one, so you can read it for free.
January 4, 2016
Elfrida Jane Ware is a not-so-great actress with a hopeless crush on the leading man when she discovers that the grandmother she never knew has left her a house! Many years ago, Elfrida's mother Marjorie ran off with Elfrida's father much to the anger and dismay of her family, cutting them off for the rest of her life. Now all the family has passed on and only Elfrida is left. Elfrida has never had a place to call home, living her life in the theater and is delighted at the prospect of owning Mountain Cross. Her lawyer, Mr. Sandford, urges her to sell the crumbling old place because the land left can't support the entire farm. Mr. Sandford's junior partner and nephew Ronald Leighton provides such a beautiful picture of the old home in Devonshire that Elfrida is enchanted. When her landlady, Mrs. Martineau, learns of Elfrida's crush on Glen Siddons, she knows it is hopeless and urges Elfrida to go and live at Mountain Cross. Elfrida falls in love with the old place immediately and with the darling caretakers, Emma Chowne, a talkative but motherly woman and her silent husband who knew Elfrida's mother. Though shy, Elfrida finds the neighbors friendly and begins to work on her farm. Three potential love interests are introduced and one prevails at the end as Elfrida grows and learns to know herself better.
This is a very pleasant book much like Stevenson's other novels. This one is very similar to Listening Valley and features a cameo by Miss Martineau of The Blue Sapphire. I gave this book to my grandmother to read and she felt it was too slow and didn't want to continue. I encouraged her to read on, knowing that Stevenson's books always start slow. She ended up enjoying the book and remembering a trip she took with my grandfather. I didn't find it that slow to start. I got into it pretty quickly, wondering who her love interest was going to be. I enjoyed the descriptions of country life and instead of the usual gentry, here the characters are farmers. Elfrida must work her own land because there's no money. She has an arrangement with the Chownes to help out but she does a lot for herself. I liked the farming aspect. It added some humor to the story. There's also a little bit of color color. The romance kept me guessing but I did guess the key to the story right away. There isn't much plot in terms of an exciting story here. It's more about Elfrida's internal growth and a female coming-of-age story. The plot left me wanting a sequel.
I found Elfrida a little too good to be true but liked her anyway. I wanted her to succeed and I wanted her to be happy. I wasn't entirely thrilled with the romance angle though. Two of her three potential love interests seemed nice enough but only with one did she really connect. I was hoping for a little more conflict than there was.I did like Elfrida's growth and she experiences a lot in only a short time. The Chownes are very memorable secondary characters. They're quite opposites but suit each other very well. Emma is very dear and funny and Chowne reminded me of Matthew in Anne of Green Gables. The neighbors are not all that memorable. I had trouble remembering who they were. The most memorable secondary characters were Glen Siddons and Patrick. I have opinions about Glen I can't share without spoiling but I felt the same way about him that Elfrida did. Patrick is such a dear, charming boy. I felt sorry for him for his terrible childhood. I think he deserves a book of his own to show how he develops.
If you like Stevenson's other books or the Thrush Green series or Village School series by Miss Reed you will enjoy this book too.
This is a very pleasant book much like Stevenson's other novels. This one is very similar to Listening Valley and features a cameo by Miss Martineau of The Blue Sapphire. I gave this book to my grandmother to read and she felt it was too slow and didn't want to continue. I encouraged her to read on, knowing that Stevenson's books always start slow. She ended up enjoying the book and remembering a trip she took with my grandfather. I didn't find it that slow to start. I got into it pretty quickly, wondering who her love interest was going to be. I enjoyed the descriptions of country life and instead of the usual gentry, here the characters are farmers. Elfrida must work her own land because there's no money. She has an arrangement with the Chownes to help out but she does a lot for herself. I liked the farming aspect. It added some humor to the story. There's also a little bit of color color. The romance kept me guessing but I did guess the key to the story right away. There isn't much plot in terms of an exciting story here. It's more about Elfrida's internal growth and a female coming-of-age story. The plot left me wanting a sequel.
I found Elfrida a little too good to be true but liked her anyway. I wanted her to succeed and I wanted her to be happy. I wasn't entirely thrilled with the romance angle though. Two of her three potential love interests seemed nice enough but only with one did she really connect. I was hoping for a little more conflict than there was.I did like Elfrida's growth and she experiences a lot in only a short time. The Chownes are very memorable secondary characters. They're quite opposites but suit each other very well. Emma is very dear and funny and Chowne reminded me of Matthew in Anne of Green Gables. The neighbors are not all that memorable. I had trouble remembering who they were. The most memorable secondary characters were Glen Siddons and Patrick. I have opinions about Glen I can't share without spoiling but I felt the same way about him that Elfrida did. Patrick is such a dear, charming boy. I felt sorry for him for his terrible childhood. I think he deserves a book of his own to show how he develops.
If you like Stevenson's other books or the Thrush Green series or Village School series by Miss Reed you will enjoy this book too.
January 6, 2015
Recommended by Bree, Dorcas and Hannah--Thank you all!
The House on the Cliff is the sort of charming, easy read that's a perfect refresher in between big, serious classics or non-fiction books. It is a lovely story, gently told.
When we first meet Elfrida Ware she is standing outside a lawyers office, debating whether to go in. Elfrida is twenty, but thin, worn and tired. She has come through a terribly difficult time, having just lost her beloved mother. Her stage career is going nowhere. Her relationship with the genuine star of the show is also on a path to nowhere. She has moved into a rooming house where one of the stains on the ceiling reminds her of an elephant. Elfrida has plenty of common sense and knows just how lost she is.
Elfrida's kindly landlady, Mrs. Martineau, an avid reader of the news, has discovered a notice from the law offices of Riggs, Sandford and Wilkins seeking news about Marjory Thistlewood, Elfrida's mother and has encouraged Elfrida to respond. To her astonishment, Elfrida learns that she has inherited a house on a cliff by the sea in the West Country--the ancestral home of Marjorie's long-estranged parents. There is not much money to go with the house, but Elfrida knows her mother loved it and, against advice, she decides to move to Mountain Cross.
As spring comes to Mountain Cross, Elfrida discovers the land and herself, gaining strength and joy during her long walks of discovery. "For the first time in her life Elfrida was enjoying the peace and security of a settled home in which--wonder of wonders--everything belonged to her....Miss Martineau had told her that she was...made of different stuff." Now she has found her place in the world.
When an old flame from Elfrida's theater days comes to visit, Elfrida gradually starts to see him in a new light. Their scenes together are full of keen observations on human nature, as well much gentle wisdom. I loved seeing how much Elfrida has matured.
To tell much more would be to spoil the reader's enjoyment of this quietly unfolding story. It is full of humor, small discoveries and surprising insights--and the very happy ending for Elfrida is well earned.
This is my first D.E. Stevenson and it won't be my last--I am definitely a new fan. Fortunately, she was very prolific, so I should have plenty more to choose from.
Content rating: G. A clean read.
The House on the Cliff is the sort of charming, easy read that's a perfect refresher in between big, serious classics or non-fiction books. It is a lovely story, gently told.
When we first meet Elfrida Ware she is standing outside a lawyers office, debating whether to go in. Elfrida is twenty, but thin, worn and tired. She has come through a terribly difficult time, having just lost her beloved mother. Her stage career is going nowhere. Her relationship with the genuine star of the show is also on a path to nowhere. She has moved into a rooming house where one of the stains on the ceiling reminds her of an elephant. Elfrida has plenty of common sense and knows just how lost she is.
Elfrida's kindly landlady, Mrs. Martineau, an avid reader of the news, has discovered a notice from the law offices of Riggs, Sandford and Wilkins seeking news about Marjory Thistlewood, Elfrida's mother and has encouraged Elfrida to respond. To her astonishment, Elfrida learns that she has inherited a house on a cliff by the sea in the West Country--the ancestral home of Marjorie's long-estranged parents. There is not much money to go with the house, but Elfrida knows her mother loved it and, against advice, she decides to move to Mountain Cross.
As spring comes to Mountain Cross, Elfrida discovers the land and herself, gaining strength and joy during her long walks of discovery. "For the first time in her life Elfrida was enjoying the peace and security of a settled home in which--wonder of wonders--everything belonged to her....Miss Martineau had told her that she was...made of different stuff." Now she has found her place in the world.
When an old flame from Elfrida's theater days comes to visit, Elfrida gradually starts to see him in a new light. Their scenes together are full of keen observations on human nature, as well much gentle wisdom. I loved seeing how much Elfrida has matured.
To tell much more would be to spoil the reader's enjoyment of this quietly unfolding story. It is full of humor, small discoveries and surprising insights--and the very happy ending for Elfrida is well earned.
This is my first D.E. Stevenson and it won't be my last--I am definitely a new fan. Fortunately, she was very prolific, so I should have plenty more to choose from.
Content rating: G. A clean read.
February 18, 2019
After a cluster of mournful books, I turned to a light novel to cleanse my palate. (My go to authors in this genre are D. E. Stevenson, O. Douglas, Miss Read; I still need to try reading Angela Thirkell.) Granted, it's not high literature. The plot is predictable and the characters are facile.
But when a girl needs an easy read full of Briticisms, literary references, a charming vocabulary, and a most gentle romance (the R word), this book is couthie and comfy.
Samples of the wondrous words:
dotard = old person, especially weak or senile
swot = one who studies hard, maybe too much
cresset = a container of oil used for a torch or beacon
congé = unceremonial dismissal
wangle = to obtain by persuading others
Samples of fantastic phrases:
A howling success
Soonest begun, soonest done
Big issues hang on small pegs
When I first came, I was very small beer.
I'm all behind, like a cow's tail
But when a girl needs an easy read full of Briticisms, literary references, a charming vocabulary, and a most gentle romance (the R word), this book is couthie and comfy.
Samples of the wondrous words:
dotard = old person, especially weak or senile
swot = one who studies hard, maybe too much
cresset = a container of oil used for a torch or beacon
congé = unceremonial dismissal
wangle = to obtain by persuading others
Samples of fantastic phrases:
A howling success
Soonest begun, soonest done
Big issues hang on small pegs
When I first came, I was very small beer.
I'm all behind, like a cow's tail
March 21, 2014
A novel about an orphaned actress who inherits a house in Devonshire and instead of selling it makes the less practical decision to move in. 1966.
Full review (and hand-picked reading recommendations!) at Another look book
Golly, did I forget to review this one! It's particularly painful to admit because it's a wonderful book. One of my favorite DES reads so far. Lovely, true-to-life types of characters and some small but profound messages you wouldn't expect from this genre of book. Also, unlike, say, Katherine Wentworth, this DES does not lag in the middle--it flows easily but compellingly all throughout. A sweet, happy read.
Full review (and hand-picked reading recommendations!) at Another look book
Golly, did I forget to review this one! It's particularly painful to admit because it's a wonderful book. One of my favorite DES reads so far. Lovely, true-to-life types of characters and some small but profound messages you wouldn't expect from this genre of book. Also, unlike, say, Katherine Wentworth, this DES does not lag in the middle--it flows easily but compellingly all throughout. A sweet, happy read.
March 25, 2019
Elfrida Jane is a struggling to make ends meet. Her mother has just passed away and she discovers that her mother's parents (who had disowned their daughter upon her marriage to an actor) have died and left their home to her. The story is built around what she decides to do with the old house.
This was classic D.E. Stevenson with its good dialogue, friendly lovers and the rootedness of place/home. I enjoyed watching Elfrida grow from a timorous, insecure heroine into a courageous woman who knew her mind.
Delightful.
This was classic D.E. Stevenson with its good dialogue, friendly lovers and the rootedness of place/home. I enjoyed watching Elfrida grow from a timorous, insecure heroine into a courageous woman who knew her mind.
Delightful.
January 18, 2022
I had to give this lovely little novel four stars because it contains my favourite theme in literature, a woman inherits an old house. And of course, she falls in love with it and will do everything in her power to keep it. Her romance is sidetracked briefly by a charming cad, but she is clever enough to realize her own folly and switch her affections to the genuine article. The author has a lovely way with colloquialisms and minor "characters' in the full sense of the word.
August 11, 2014
I have read almost all of D.E. Stevenson's books. She was related to Robert Louis Stevenson and is a very good writer. Her books are set in the 30s, 40s, and 50s and have really good characterization. I wish I could find other books with the same flavor. Pure romance, no bad language, explicit sex, etc.
August 11, 2016
Completely charming, cozy and vintage.
Who wouldn't want to inherit a centuries-old house on the cliff?
:D
Who wouldn't want to inherit a centuries-old house on the cliff?
:D
February 12, 2019
First published in 1966
This was 'of its time' - sweet and honest and dated, but nevertheless contained some lovely thoughts that are sometimes missing in modern romance. The 'decent' men treat women with respect, no one ever forces a kiss on a woman, the elderly and handicapped are likewise treated with respect and there was absolutely no sexism, ageism, sizeism in this book.
A delightful 'comfort' read. Yes, its old-fashioned, but that is where its strength lies.
This was 'of its time' - sweet and honest and dated, but nevertheless contained some lovely thoughts that are sometimes missing in modern romance. The 'decent' men treat women with respect, no one ever forces a kiss on a woman, the elderly and handicapped are likewise treated with respect and there was absolutely no sexism, ageism, sizeism in this book.
A delightful 'comfort' read. Yes, its old-fashioned, but that is where its strength lies.
March 25, 2025
This was a topsy-turvy charming story with an evil villan and many more very sweet characters. I loved the ending! :)
June 27, 2021
The House on the Cliff Is a simple sweet story of how a girl out of place finds her place. Young Elfrida has been drained by being in the wrong profession, infatuated with the wrong man, and by the death of her beloved mother. When she inherits a lonely house on the Devonshire seaside, she recovers her spirit and her health and finds the right man for her.
What makes it compelling and charming is it’s sense of place and time, and the deft characterizations including the growth of our shy heroine. She is challenged by a greedy relative, gentile poverty, and the re-emergence of the heartthrob she had a crush on in London. This guy turns out to be a real piece of work and is one of the most interesting if hiss-worthy characters in the book. What rescues it from a run of the mill light romance is an overlay of the sadness of lost opportunity and the fate of an emotionally abused and ill-treated young boy. The happy ending has few remaining wisps that could have been incorporated into a sequel. I would have loved to read about young Patrick 10 or 12 years down the road.**3.5 stars**
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings....
What makes it compelling and charming is it’s sense of place and time, and the deft characterizations including the growth of our shy heroine. She is challenged by a greedy relative, gentile poverty, and the re-emergence of the heartthrob she had a crush on in London. This guy turns out to be a real piece of work and is one of the most interesting if hiss-worthy characters in the book. What rescues it from a run of the mill light romance is an overlay of the sadness of lost opportunity and the fate of an emotionally abused and ill-treated young boy. The happy ending has few remaining wisps that could have been incorporated into a sequel. I would have loved to read about young Patrick 10 or 12 years down the road.**3.5 stars**
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings....
February 2, 2016
1966. I can't really put this book in the category/shelf I did for real. Except that she began her writing career in 1923 and this book has the same feel with just a few more modern trappings such as telephones IN the house and black Jags.
Didn't find this one as thoughtful as "Celia's House" or "Listening Valley." I would guess one's motives might change when the time of living through two world wars has long passed.
The house given to the poor, tired-of-life, London girl motif is still going strong. Really, this is a great house. I want my eccentric Auntie even more. (Except here it was a grandmother, and a grandfather who had bought very valuable stamps as a way to safely invest and get the money to the right person). That would be a wonderful find.
Still, a charming read. Some fun characters (I liked the Chowne's quite a bit).
Didn't find this one as thoughtful as "Celia's House" or "Listening Valley." I would guess one's motives might change when the time of living through two world wars has long passed.
The house given to the poor, tired-of-life, London girl motif is still going strong. Really, this is a great house. I want my eccentric Auntie even more. (Except here it was a grandmother, and a grandfather who had bought very valuable stamps as a way to safely invest and get the money to the right person). That would be a wonderful find.
Still, a charming read. Some fun characters (I liked the Chowne's quite a bit).
November 10, 2023
After ghost stories and dystopia, I was ready for some sweet, quiet, all-natural comfort food! Two DES titles have come out in audio since I finished my binge of all her available books a few months ago. I'm going to save the other one since someone suggested it for one of my book groups, but this one was fair game. I listened way too late last night and picked it up again this morning. The romance angle was predictable, the solution to the money problem was obvious, the characters were simplistic, and that was all just fine by me! Probably would be a three-star review under normal circumstances, but it was just so perfectly emotionally satisfying at the moment that I'll give it a subjective bump up to four.
Narrator was good.
Narrator was good.
June 4, 2026
A sweet and serviceable Stevenson about an introverted city girl inheriting an old house on the Devonshire coast. Lots of nice characters make up for the narcissist character, who, if he doesn’t quite get his comeuppance, is at least banished.
Note: a large number of DE Stevenson novels are available on KU, and also quite cheaply priced at only a few dollars per ebook if you want to keep them.
Note: a large number of DE Stevenson novels are available on KU, and also quite cheaply priced at only a few dollars per ebook if you want to keep them.
August 9, 2020
What can I say? I just love D.E. Stevenson and wish there were more of her books in the form of ebooks around. The House on the Cliff is not her best novel. But it is definitely a light and pleasant read.
June 19, 2022
I am most grateful to have D.E. Stevenson’s books to enjoy.
Elfrida was an impoverished, not-so-very-good actress who had no family left when she discovered after her mother passed that she inherited her mother’s family estate. That’s just the beginning of a great story with a happy ending.
Elfrida was an impoverished, not-so-very-good actress who had no family left when she discovered after her mother passed that she inherited her mother’s family estate. That’s just the beginning of a great story with a happy ending.
December 31, 2019
I love stories about a girl and a house. Gothic stories about a girl and a creepy house. And sweet stories (like this one) about a girl and a cozy house.
The romantic ideal that a home can be an anchor, that salty sea air can soothe wounded hearts, that a little farm (complete with a happy milk cow and sweet little pigs) can be restorative, and that a peaceful forest can change one’s life…I embrace it, heart and soul. Somebody, please, sign me up for ALL of it.
Time was no object here; she had all the time in the world at her disposal. She wandered vaguely, half dazed with delight, making new and interesting discoveries wherever she went. Birds flew from the hedges as she approached…. There were little animals, too; a field mouse, balancing precariously on a slender stem of flowering grass; a squirrel sitting on the branch of a tree, chattering with annoyance at being disturbed by a human wanderer; a hedgehog running across the path and curling into a spiky ball at the sound of a human footstep…. She would take a couple of sandwiches in her pocket and stay out all day, returning at tea-time tired and happy and drowsy with the sweet air, to sit by the log fire in the parlour and enjoy tea and cakes and read poetry.
Thanks so much to Alisha for the great recommendation! :)
The romantic ideal that a home can be an anchor, that salty sea air can soothe wounded hearts, that a little farm (complete with a happy milk cow and sweet little pigs) can be restorative, and that a peaceful forest can change one’s life…I embrace it, heart and soul. Somebody, please, sign me up for ALL of it.
Time was no object here; she had all the time in the world at her disposal. She wandered vaguely, half dazed with delight, making new and interesting discoveries wherever she went. Birds flew from the hedges as she approached…. There were little animals, too; a field mouse, balancing precariously on a slender stem of flowering grass; a squirrel sitting on the branch of a tree, chattering with annoyance at being disturbed by a human wanderer; a hedgehog running across the path and curling into a spiky ball at the sound of a human footstep…. She would take a couple of sandwiches in her pocket and stay out all day, returning at tea-time tired and happy and drowsy with the sweet air, to sit by the log fire in the parlour and enjoy tea and cakes and read poetry.
Thanks so much to Alisha for the great recommendation! :)
October 25, 2023
Restful, simple and charming.
May 27, 2026
Simple and heartfelt, a happy ending, and some keen insight that is so light you could almost miss it - exactly what I hoped for.
March 27, 2025
Reread as audiobook.
November 3, 2013
Elfrida is an actress in London and she is really sad because 1) her mother/best friend died and now she is alone in the world, and 2) she is madly in love with the charismatic lead actor and it's depressingly one-sided. Elfrida's terrible life changes when she inherits the majestic Mountain Cross in Devonshire from her estranged grandmother. Despite objections, Elfrida moves into Mountain Cross because her mother loved it so much. She is still poor because her grandfather was bad at Business (one of those complicated man things not explained to Elfrida) but now at least she lives in a mansion.
Elfrida undertakes some light farming, explores the bay and cliffs, befriends local toff Lucius Babbington and his sister Mary, and is fed delicious meals of broiled chops, bread and butter puddings, and baked apples with fresh cream, and maybe falls in love (spoiler: she does). Oh, and adopts a child. Totally normal and instead of people being like, wut., they are all, "OF COURSE you are informally and probably illegally adopting this child whose father is still living and currently starring in the Hollywood blockbuster The Sheik's Dilemma! Also you're twenty-one!" But Elfrida is happy and becomes the person she was born to be: a tweed-and-pearl-wearing mansion-owner in Devonshire.
Most of the drama comes in the form of an evil Canadian cousin and -- I am dead serious -- a stamp collection. That is how wholesome this book is. Yet despite the fact that I am basically Darth Vader to Elfrida's Malibu Barbie, I didn't hate it. It was all sweetness and light and sometimes that's okay.
Elfrida undertakes some light farming, explores the bay and cliffs, befriends local toff Lucius Babbington and his sister Mary, and is fed delicious meals of broiled chops, bread and butter puddings, and baked apples with fresh cream, and maybe falls in love (spoiler: she does). Oh, and adopts a child. Totally normal and instead of people being like, wut., they are all, "OF COURSE you are informally and probably illegally adopting this child whose father is still living and currently starring in the Hollywood blockbuster The Sheik's Dilemma! Also you're twenty-one!" But Elfrida is happy and becomes the person she was born to be: a tweed-and-pearl-wearing mansion-owner in Devonshire.
Most of the drama comes in the form of an evil Canadian cousin and -- I am dead serious -- a stamp collection. That is how wholesome this book is. Yet despite the fact that I am basically Darth Vader to Elfrida's Malibu Barbie, I didn't hate it. It was all sweetness and light and sometimes that's okay.
July 31, 2023
This was a read-aloud reread with my daughter. I have lost track of how many times i have read it. I probably reread it once every two years or so. A young girl, alone in london, who takes bit parts on stage, finds that she has inherited her mother's family home - a large stone house on a cliff by the sea. Reading the book is like going on vacation to a house by the sea, and i like to visit often.
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