Christine Rawlins's Blog
June 28, 2017
Gotta have it?
"There is no wealth but life. Life, including all its powers of love, of joy, and of admiration."
John Ruskin said that. He was born in 1819 and died in 1900, the year Elizabeth Goudge was born. He had a great admiration for art and beauty and the natural world - and Elizabeth in her turn admired his work: "partly because he could paint a skyscape in words as it seemed to me that no one else could do."
In a society where celebrities draw our attention to the latest (yet another) shade of lipstick, perhaps we should take notice of the colours in the sky instead? And live the truth of Ruskin's words: that our admiration should really be focused on Life itself, its love and its joys. That's the only wealth.
John Ruskin said that. He was born in 1819 and died in 1900, the year Elizabeth Goudge was born. He had a great admiration for art and beauty and the natural world - and Elizabeth in her turn admired his work: "partly because he could paint a skyscape in words as it seemed to me that no one else could do."
In a society where celebrities draw our attention to the latest (yet another) shade of lipstick, perhaps we should take notice of the colours in the sky instead? And live the truth of Ruskin's words: that our admiration should really be focused on Life itself, its love and its joys. That's the only wealth.
April 24, 2017
The birthday of the Cathedral Close novel
Today we celebrate the creation of two delightful cathedral towns in literature: Barchester (Anthony Trollope, 24 April 1815) and Torminster (Elizabeth Goudge, 24 April 1900). Barchester was the product of Trollope's literary imagination, for he had a London childhood, overshadowed by debt, and in 1834 began his 33 year career with the Post Office. (It is thanks to Trollope that Britain has its red pillar-boxes for mail.)
In the creation of Torminster, on the other hand, Elizabeth Goudge was writing about her own childhood. She was the daughter of a distinguished clergyman, and actually lived in Wells (Torminster) for the first eleven years of her life, in close proximity to both the ancient cathedral (consecrated in 1239) and the mediaeval houses of the Close.
In the creation of Torminster, on the other hand, Elizabeth Goudge was writing about her own childhood. She was the daughter of a distinguished clergyman, and actually lived in Wells (Torminster) for the first eleven years of her life, in close proximity to both the ancient cathedral (consecrated in 1239) and the mediaeval houses of the Close.
April 20, 2017
And April is the Literary month, too
April 23rd is the date chosen by UNESCO as World Book and Copyright day... because it's the death day of both Cervantes and Shakespeare. [Wikipedia lists the fascinating fact that although both died on 23rd April 1616, Cervantes actually pre-deceased Shakespeare by ten days ... because Spain followed the Gregorian Calendar, and England the Julian.]
That sounds like a great excuse for a lazy Sunday this weekend, curled up with a good book ... thank you, UNESCO!
And what an appropriate date for Elizabeth Goudge to have, as the eve of her birthday. Not only can you find numerous references to both these great writers in her work, but she too was personally responsible for getting people reading across the world... her many books translated into umpteen languages.
So perhaps I'll make it a favourite Elizabeth Goudge for my lazy Sunday ... The Little White Horse? The Dean's Watch? A City of Bells? ... spoilt for choice!
That sounds like a great excuse for a lazy Sunday this weekend, curled up with a good book ... thank you, UNESCO!
And what an appropriate date for Elizabeth Goudge to have, as the eve of her birthday. Not only can you find numerous references to both these great writers in her work, but she too was personally responsible for getting people reading across the world... her many books translated into umpteen languages.
So perhaps I'll make it a favourite Elizabeth Goudge for my lazy Sunday ... The Little White Horse? The Dean's Watch? A City of Bells? ... spoilt for choice!
March 27, 2017
April is the loveliest month
Full of blossom and spring flowers... and Elizabeth Goudge's birthday on the 24th. To celebrate, there are ten signed giveaway copies of Beyond the Snow on offer to UK readers. Good luck! Elizabeth Goudge
