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JennGM
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My library has only a few books by her. I have loved every book I've read by Rumer Godden, but would love some recommendations so I can purchase a few more of her books.
Wikipedia has a list of works.
I've read and loved:
In This House of Brede
Candle for St. Jude
Five For Sorrow, Ten For Joy
The River
Children's Books:
The Story of Holly and Ivy
The Kitchen Madonna
To be Read Children's books:
Saint Jerome and the Lion
The Doll's House
So what else can you highly recommend?
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Karen T
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I'm glad you started this topic. I'm in the same boat. I originally got In This House of Brede through ILL, and then couldn't get any others, and didn't know what to buy to begin with. I finally got Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy and loved it too! Those are the only two "adult" books of hers I've read, but I have Episode of Sparrows and A Time to Dance, No Time to Weep in my stack of "to-reads" - maybe on our vacation in late August?
in the children's books, I've read
Holly and Ivy
The Doll's House
Mouse House
Impunity Jane
I loved Mouse House and The Doll's House the best of those.
I wonder why so few of her books are in libraries?
Karen T
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marihalojen
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I really liked Prayers from the Ark which she translated from French. The original author was Carmen Bernos de Gasztold whom Rumor Godden met in a Benedictine Abbey. Wikipedia shared this poem from the book:
The Prayer of the Butterfly
Lord!
Where was I?
Oh yes! This flower, this sun,
thank You! Your world is beautiful!
This scent of roses...
Where was I?
A drop of dew
rolls to sparkle in a lily‘s heart
I have to go...
Where? I do not know!
The wind has painted fancies
on my wings.
Fancies...
Where was I?
Oh yes! Lord,
I have something to tell you:
Amen
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The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
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Mamamoon
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my daghter and i loved miss happiness & miss flower. too cute!
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LeeAnn
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We have Holly & Ivy, Four Dolls (a compilation), The Doll's House, Miss Happiness & Miss Flower, Little Plum and In this house of Brede, as well as her translation of Prayers from the Ark. Her books are hard to find though. Little Plum is a sequel to MH&MF and I paid over $30 for a vintage copy (eek!), it's long out of print, for my then-10 year old's birthday. She loooves all the doll books.
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my four children are 17, 15, 11 & 8 - all now attend public school - we read many 4Real recommended books at home
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Natalia
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I read this one China Court. BTW, I love the site I just linked.Lots of authors to explore.
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Leonie
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I read "In This House of Brede" every year. It is such a spiritually moving book for me. Love it.
I first read "An Episode of Sparrows" when I was 15, at school. It was one of my first introductions to the Catholic Church, one of the first things that helped light a little flame that later grew and drew me towards being Catholic.
I also LIke "Black Narcissus".Dark but thoughtful.
And when I first read "China Court", I really wanted to copy the school and activity schedules for my then young children. 
Goddens' two part autobiogrpahy is excellent - she describes using Charlotte Mason's curriculum with her children and also tells of her journey towards Catholicism.
Can you tell I'm a bit of a Rumer Godden fan? 
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Leonie in Sydney
Living Without School
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JennGM
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Leonie wrote:
And when I first read "China Court", I really wanted to copy the school and activity schedules for my then young children.
Goddens' two part autobiogrpahy is excellent - she describes using Charlotte Mason's curriculum with her children and also tells of her journey towards Catholicism.
Can you tell I'm a bit of a Rumer Godden fan? |
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Ooooh, this is so great, Leonie! I didn't know she used Charlotte Mason. I like her even more!
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Lisbet
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Okay, am I missing something?? I have been trying to get into "In This House of Brede" for the past few weeks, and it's just not grabbing me. 
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
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Karen T
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Lisbet, how far are you into it? It's been a few years since I read it but I do remember it being rather slow at first. If you can persevere, I think it will grab you at some point.
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hylabrook1
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Similar to Lisa, I can't get into An Episode of Sparrows, although I enjoyed In This House of Brede.
Peace,
Nancy
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SuzanneG
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Bumping this for fun! I was here tonight searching for that perfect 2010 Rumer Godden book!
Anyone read anything more or want to list your favorites if you haven't already?
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Suzanne in ID
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Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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Natalia
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Over Christmas break I read Kingfishers Catch Fire, It is the story of a "free spirited" woman that, after the death of her husband, decides to go live among the poor peasants in Kashmir.It is a great book. The story is written in a such a beautiful way!
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Karen T
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The only two I've read are In This House of Brede and Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy. I loved both of them, not sure which would be my favorite. I have A Time to Dance, No Time to Weepon my bookshelf, intending to read it one of these days!
and I've read several of her children's books too.
Karen T
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Mare
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I've been avoiding the Book Club so I don't add anymore to my already huge list but Edith Stein and Rumer Godden pulled me in.
I enjoyed In This House of Brede and A Time to Dance, No Time to Weep. It now looks like I'll be adding some more title to my list. Thanks, Ladies. 
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JennGM
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JennGM wrote:
My library has only a few books by her. I have loved every book I've read by Rumer Godden, but would love some recommendations so I can purchase a few more of her books.
Wikipedia has a list of works.
I've read and loved:
In This House of Brede
Candle for St. Jude
Five For Sorrow, Ten For Joy
The River
Children's Books:
The Story of Holly and Ivy
The Kitchen Madonna
To be Read Children's books:
Saint Jerome and the Lion
The Doll's House
So what else can you highly recommend? |
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So I have to update this list. Our library has very few books by Rumer Godden, so I have to find through used book sales and extra money with online purchases.
When I first heard of her from this forum, I had no idea she converted to Catholicism. Her autobiographies read like her novels -- gripping, fascinating stories. There are so many underlying messages and thoughts that are so delightful to mull over when I have to tear myself away and put the book down.
But as I was reading her autobiographies, I kept wondering if she was going to convert, because she was definitely pointing towards Catholic thought. I was just thrilled to read it in her second book -- it made all the pieces of the puzzle fit.
So, these are the books I've read so far. There is an official website Rumer Godden
The River
Black Narcissus
A Candle for St. Jude
China Court
In This House of Brede
The Peacock Spring (reading right now)
Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy
A Time to Dance, No Time to Weep: A Memoir (autobiography vol.1)
A House With Four Rooms (autobiography vol. 2)
Children's books:
The Doll's House
The Old Woman Who Lived in a Vinegar Bottle
The Story of Holly and Ivy
St Jerome and the Lion
Miss Happiness and Miss Flower
The Kitchen Madonna
I most recently read "China Court". I think it's a bibliophile's dream book. The whole book is based on the traditional Hours for the Breviary or Divine Office, so each chapter is one of the hours. Two aspects I loved about this book -- looking at the family history in one house almost all in present tense -- the way I think God looks at humankind, everything all present.
And without putting a spoiler, I'll just say it's wonderful to put so much respect in old books.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Christine
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Miss Happiness and Miss Flower was one of my favorite childhood books. My daughters have reread it a few times.
Others that we (or I) have enjoyed are:
The Story of Holly and Ivy
The Kitchen Madonna
The Doll's House
A Candle for St. Jude
I read In This House of Brede, but I didn't really like it.
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Christine
Mommy to 4 girls, 5 boys, & 2 in God's care
Memories of a Catholic Wife and Mother
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Marcia
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I have the Dragon of Og and also A Dark Horse by her. (juvenile)
If you want to see a movie of her try out
The River. It was re-released. Very eye opening.
movie
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donnalynn
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I had picked up Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy from the library before Christmas but I could not even start it when I realized it was about prostitiutes - I guess I could not wrap my head around the idea of reading this book during Advent.
Maybe I should give it another try now that we're leaving the Christmas season?
I'm not sure why I had such a negative reaction.
I did enjoy The Kitchen Madonna so much.
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JennGM
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donnalynn wrote:
I had picked up Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy from the library before Christmas but I could not even start it when I realized it was about prostitiutes - I guess I could not wrap my head around the idea of reading this book during Advent.
Maybe I should give it another try now that we're leaving the Christmas season?
I'm not sure why I had such a negative reaction. |
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I put Rumer Godden in the same category of Flannery O'Conner, giving some shock in her writings to make you think. At first I didn't understand the beginning of the book, but then when you understand the message of God's forgiveness and mercy....well, I was just crying by the end of the book. It is powerfully moving, at least to me.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Family in Feast and Feria
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4Real Forums : Book Club
Topic: Let's Talk Rumer Godden
