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Waynes of Wood Mount #3
Six Impossible Things
The village of Greenhurst, home of the Wayne family, is aflutter with excitement and festivity in anticipation of Miriam Arkwright's coming marriage to an Italian count.All the Waynes descend on brother Nicholas, including red-headed Julia, who had been sent to Italy to become a concert pianist, and returns home not quite sure what she wants to be. She is no longer the child Nicholas remembers, but is still enough of a scatter-brain to mix up her luggage...thereby involving Nicholas in the most wonderful love of his life.The luggage in question ends up in the hands of Elaine Morley, the most beautiful young woman Nicholas has seen in many a year. Elaine, however, to her increasing dismay, is already engaged -- to a most determined and quite nasty fellow who refuses to let her go...Julia, so intent on solving the romantic problems of others, suddenly realizes she has not one -- but two of her own. One is a new arrival in town; the other, Derek Arkwright, who has always seemed just the boy next door...And even Nicholas' rather formidable secretary, Miss Stoker, is caught up in he shower of orange blossoms.
253 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1961
117 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Cadell
103 books118 followersViolet Elizabeth Vandyke was born on 10 November 1903 in Calcutta, British Raj, daughter of British parents, Elizabeth Lynch and Frederick Reginald Vandyke, a colonial officer. During the Great War she studied music in London, but refused a musical career and returned to India where she married in 1928 Henry Dunlop Raymond Mallock Cadell, and they had a son and daughter. After she was widowed ten years later, she returned to England.
Elizabeth wrote her first book 'My Dear Aunt Flora' during the Second World War in 1946, there after producing another 51 light-hearted, humourous and romantic books which won her a faithful readership in England and America. In addition to England and India, many of her books are set in Spain, France, and Portugal. She finally settled in Portugal, where her married daughter still lived.
She died on 9 October 1989, aged eighty-five.
Elizabeth wrote her first book 'My Dear Aunt Flora' during the Second World War in 1946, there after producing another 51 light-hearted, humourous and romantic books which won her a faithful readership in England and America. In addition to England and India, many of her books are set in Spain, France, and Portugal. She finally settled in Portugal, where her married daughter still lived.
She died on 9 October 1989, aged eighty-five.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 28, 2021
The young Wayne family gets all squared away, matched up and futures well in hand in this third book in the series by Elizabeth Cadell.
Cadell shone at writing light hearted romantic stories in the 1950's and early '60s, where good young British people went out into the world for the first time, found heartache and trouble, but none of it life threatening and finally finding the love of their lives.
Just what post war England and Covid lockdown America needed to read.
Cadell shone at writing light hearted romantic stories in the 1950's and early '60s, where good young British people went out into the world for the first time, found heartache and trouble, but none of it life threatening and finally finding the love of their lives.
Just what post war England and Covid lockdown America needed to read.
August 8, 2024
I had eagerly ordered this right away after finishing number two in the series.....entranced with all the family and town resident's happenings etc, had to laugh at how quickly many fell in love (roughly a few weeks) enjoyed the dynamics with all the deep meaningful conversations that often occurred instead of just shallow chats. All quite a pleasure however the ending was rather abrupt; I said "Seriously?? Is that how it's going to end!?? Sigh"....... Oh well, interesting characters anyway, on to other writers next then.
March 2, 2024
I'm working my way through all of Elizabeth Cadell's books. I'm really sad because there are only about three left to go. The good news is that I will re-read some of them over and over again in the coming years. My top favorite is "The Fledgling" which I've already read twice. Coming in a close second are the three-part Wayne Family Books. They are heartwarming and funny and sweet with likeable characters and very satisfying endings. If you like Georgette Heyer, Rosamunde Pilcher, or Miss Read, I believe that you'll enjoy Elizabeth Cadell as well.
Update: Just finished listening to this. Lots of romance and romantic conversations, wonderful characters. Just a lovely story (sigh).
Update: Just finished listening to this. Lots of romance and romantic conversations, wonderful characters. Just a lovely story (sigh).
August 3, 2016
There are a number of Elizabeth Cadell's books I enjoy going back to - The Greenwood Shady in particular - so I was looking forward to this story. Unfortunately, it's dated rather badly for me, and the "hero" is not terribly attractive as a result. The romance is laconic rather than heartfelt, and the incidental goings-on which form the rest of the book (nothing so substantial as a real plot) didn't draw me in. A miss, unfortunately.
January 31, 2018
A worthy conclusion to the Wayne family trilogy bolstered by some laugh out loud scenes (The Proposal), a few pages of mystery and suspense (the Disappearing Bridegroom), nice character arcs (Marian and Lady Templesby,) and an evil villain to love to hate (Kenneth.) I was disappointed that Simon, my favorite character in The Lark Shall Sing, did not make an appearance. However, this was Julia's story, as well as Nicholas, and I liked her almost as much.
February 3, 2024
Sadly, I enjoyed this conclusion of the Waynes of Wood Mount series even less than the second volume. Clearly the author had run out of gas.
The action takes place a decade after the end of the previous book, The Blue Sky of Spring. Nicholas, the senior Wayne male, is in his early thirties and still unmarried after his heartbreak in the previous installment; the three youngest children have grown up. The youngest daughter, Julia, is returning from two years studying with a piano maestro in Rome, having decided that the life of a career musician is not for her. As he meets her at the airport, Nicholas casts his eyes over another woman there and likes what he sees, but she is engaged to a bully who threatens Nicholas over a trivial misunderstanding.
Naturally, the likable woman and the bully fiancé, though met by chance, must come back into the Waynes’ sphere. And Julia must have two suitors because there this author thinks in triangles. And other characters who have had roles in previous stories have to get involved, and have to have romances of their own. The result of all this tidying is a big, sprawling mess of a story.
The woman seen at the airport gets the worst of it: her personality veers all over the map depending on the plot needs of the moment. She is a nonentity but her future gets settled in less than a week. The personalities of the recurring characters mostly get short shrift; either the author takes it for granted that you know them, or she alters them radically for the sake of the plot on the excuse that they’ve now grown up. Altogether, there’s too much going on, but somehow it feels slow and tedious because it’s all told in chapters that go on forever and are full of people analyzing their feelings aloud while other characters listen to them.
There’s a brief spurt of action at the end, utterly unmotivated by logic, and by that time it’s too late. I loved the first book in the series, but give the rest a miss.
The action takes place a decade after the end of the previous book, The Blue Sky of Spring. Nicholas, the senior Wayne male, is in his early thirties and still unmarried after his heartbreak in the previous installment; the three youngest children have grown up. The youngest daughter, Julia, is returning from two years studying with a piano maestro in Rome, having decided that the life of a career musician is not for her. As he meets her at the airport, Nicholas casts his eyes over another woman there and likes what he sees, but she is engaged to a bully who threatens Nicholas over a trivial misunderstanding.
Naturally, the likable woman and the bully fiancé, though met by chance, must come back into the Waynes’ sphere. And Julia must have two suitors because there this author thinks in triangles. And other characters who have had roles in previous stories have to get involved, and have to have romances of their own. The result of all this tidying is a big, sprawling mess of a story.
The woman seen at the airport gets the worst of it: her personality veers all over the map depending on the plot needs of the moment. She is a nonentity but her future gets settled in less than a week. The personalities of the recurring characters mostly get short shrift; either the author takes it for granted that you know them, or she alters them radically for the sake of the plot on the excuse that they’ve now grown up. Altogether, there’s too much going on, but somehow it feels slow and tedious because it’s all told in chapters that go on forever and are full of people analyzing their feelings aloud while other characters listen to them.
There’s a brief spurt of action at the end, utterly unmotivated by logic, and by that time it’s too late. I loved the first book in the series, but give the rest a miss.
August 24, 2014
Sometimes I love light novels from the late 50s/early 60s but this book didn't work for me. Generally dull.
June 26, 2024
- But your past is you (...)
- Your past isn’t you; it’s just what piles up to make the present-day you
I found Julia's doubts touching and real. The whole book was, more or less, about changing, growing up, etc. And as such, it was interesting.
Then you suffer—and then what? Nothing. A sort of memory, and pretty dim at that. So next time you find yourself swooning off, what do you say to yourself? You say: Here it is again,
I also liked that Miriam, the character "of the background" in the whole series, found her courage and happiness.
but seeing something or somebody constantly made one blind to the fact that they might be changing, developing
But I was rather disappointed in Elaine Morley, her story didn't convince me fully, and her constant crying was a bit annoying.
It is sad, that there are no more books about the family. I was so enchanted by Dominic and Simon in the first book, that I would really like to see more of them.
[3-3.5 stars]
January 19, 2025
This was a nice ending to the Wayne family trilogy. It takes place ten years after book two, The Blue Sky of Spring, and I was glad to see what happens to Nicholas and Julia. (I would have liked a neater ending to Joey’s story, but opted to assume the best.)
The title was appropriate (and is what drew me in immediately since I recognized its nod to Alice in Wonderland) because many of the storylines in this novel would have never happened in real life. But I could say that for the previous two novels as well.
Julia comes back from two years in Italy where she had been studying piano under the famous “Albano”. She is unsure about her future. Nicholas, her older brother, fails to see how she has bloomed from an awkward youngster into a charming young woman and the story is about their growing understanding of each other. Of course, there are a few romances thrown in. I loved the emphasis on community and the ties that bind people together who have known each other all their lives (even the unpleasant neighbors).
As I said in previous reviews, there is some occasion light swearing, but that did not keep me from thoroughly enjoying spending the last two weeks reading the saga of the wild and wonderful Waynes.
The title was appropriate (and is what drew me in immediately since I recognized its nod to Alice in Wonderland) because many of the storylines in this novel would have never happened in real life. But I could say that for the previous two novels as well.
Julia comes back from two years in Italy where she had been studying piano under the famous “Albano”. She is unsure about her future. Nicholas, her older brother, fails to see how she has bloomed from an awkward youngster into a charming young woman and the story is about their growing understanding of each other. Of course, there are a few romances thrown in. I loved the emphasis on community and the ties that bind people together who have known each other all their lives (even the unpleasant neighbors).
As I said in previous reviews, there is some occasion light swearing, but that did not keep me from thoroughly enjoying spending the last two weeks reading the saga of the wild and wonderful Waynes.
December 9, 2013
See my review of The Lark Shall Sing for views on Elizabeth Cadell in general.
Six Impossible Things is the sequel to The Lark Shall Sing. This story takes place a bit more than 10 years later. Two of the Wayne siblings are just mentioned in the story: Lucille & Robert are happily married & have children; Simon is a veterinarian in Yorkshire. Small roles to Derek - graduated from university and Roselle - married to Jeff & mother to a brood of boys. The major players in the story are Nicholas, now 32, and Julia, who is returning home after 2 years studying piano in Italy. A chance encounter at the airport with a lovely young woman and her brutish fiancé leads to romance for Nicholas. Alas, the path to true love ne'er runs smooth. A film crew in Greenhurst for Miriam Awkright's wedding to an Italian count means romance is in the air for Julia as well as one of the crew members falls for her, but will his suit be successful when a friend of the family, Miriam's brother, Derek, is always there also?
A fun, feel-good piece of whimsy.
Six Impossible Things is the sequel to The Lark Shall Sing. This story takes place a bit more than 10 years later. Two of the Wayne siblings are just mentioned in the story: Lucille & Robert are happily married & have children; Simon is a veterinarian in Yorkshire. Small roles to Derek - graduated from university and Roselle - married to Jeff & mother to a brood of boys. The major players in the story are Nicholas, now 32, and Julia, who is returning home after 2 years studying piano in Italy. A chance encounter at the airport with a lovely young woman and her brutish fiancé leads to romance for Nicholas. Alas, the path to true love ne'er runs smooth. A film crew in Greenhurst for Miriam Awkright's wedding to an Italian count means romance is in the air for Julia as well as one of the crew members falls for her, but will his suit be successful when a friend of the family, Miriam's brother, Derek, is always there also?
A fun, feel-good piece of whimsy.
June 13, 2008
Again, one of the books I read once a year. It is the sequel to "The Lark Shall Sing". Moves forward 10 years after the 1st book, where a mixup at the airport leads to frustration and complications of all concerned during the wedding of Lady Templeby's daughter. Light, humorous reading.
November 5, 2021
I usually love Elizabeth Cadell, but couldn't really enjoy this. Awfully dated.
November 29, 2021
A fitting end.
This is one of those stories where you feel like you're catching up with old friends. The Wayne's are a charming family, and it was a pleasing end to their story.
This is one of those stories where you feel like you're catching up with old friends. The Wayne's are a charming family, and it was a pleasing end to their story.
March 10, 2017
Love Elizabeth Cadell, and this is my favorite series of hers. If you like vintage, wholesome country family series, you'll love this.
June 10, 2024
2 1/2 stars
October 9, 2010
Need to read the Lark Shall Sing first.
June 27, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyed trilogy as a summer read but second 2 volumes never come up to the first more repetitive same predictable attachments and disappointments
July 4, 2020
I was a bit disappointed with book 2, but this one made up for it. Romance crops up everywhere. Mayhem crops up everywhere. From the airport scene at the beginning to the Miriam Arkwright wedding to the count at the end, I was amused and enthralled. Nicholas wakes up to the possibility of romance after ten years, Julia (now grown up) has two young men falling for her, and the whole town is in chaos over the impending nuptials of a local girl. I loved it!
September 1, 2023
The last of the trilogy, set 10 years after Book 2. This was a little disappointing, as I wanted to hear about everything that happened to the characters I had come to care for in Books 1 and 2. But it was a satisfying read nonetheless, although once again it was a bit bizarre that this English village attracted so many famous people.
May 7, 2025
this was intruiging. the plot was awesome and the characters just :chefskiss:
as a kid i basically THREW THIS ACROSS THE ROOM saying "boring".
but i am glad i picked this up after 5 years LOL. elizabeth has earned another fan (but probably not hardcore XD)
as a kid i basically THREW THIS ACROSS THE ROOM saying "boring".
but i am glad i picked this up after 5 years LOL. elizabeth has earned another fan (but probably not hardcore XD)
January 10, 2021
I love this series, and the ending was such fun!
December 22, 2023
This is the third of a three-book series by Elizabeth Cadell about the Wayne family and their friends, focusing on relationships, with light romance thrown in. The publishes states that these books stand alone, but I feel that they should be read together, in order, to best appreciate the characters. Spoiler free reviews of all three follow.
The Lark Shall Sing (1955) 4/5 stars
The Blue Sky of Spring (1956) 4/5 stars
Six Impossible Things (1961) 3/5 stars
In the first book, The Lark Shall Sing, the Wayne family of six siblings (aged 24 down to 7) is introduced. They've been orphaned, and were scattered around the country for a year. Lucille, the eldest, has decided to sell the family home, Wood Mount, and her two sisters and three brothers are horrified. They descend on Lucille, to beg to stay at Wood Mount as a family. What follows is a sweet tale of family relationships, lightly romantic, gently humorous, and fully enjoyable.
The Blue Sky of Spring follows the oldest brother, Nicholas, the woman he loves, and an American stranger. Again, it's a gentle book about relationships -- friendship, romance, family -- with an interesting and not fully predictable plot. The Waynes are charming and their situations heart-touching, and the book is completely entertaining.
In Six Impossible Things, Julia, the youngest sister, returns from studying abroad, a local friend is getting married, and a stranger involves the Waynes in her attempt to break up from a controlling and vindictive fiancé. The result is an appealing, mostly lighthearted story of romance, friendship, and connections, but one not as substantial and griping as the previous two in the series.
The Lark Shall Sing (1955) 4/5 stars
The Blue Sky of Spring (1956) 4/5 stars
Six Impossible Things (1961) 3/5 stars
In the first book, The Lark Shall Sing, the Wayne family of six siblings (aged 24 down to 7) is introduced. They've been orphaned, and were scattered around the country for a year. Lucille, the eldest, has decided to sell the family home, Wood Mount, and her two sisters and three brothers are horrified. They descend on Lucille, to beg to stay at Wood Mount as a family. What follows is a sweet tale of family relationships, lightly romantic, gently humorous, and fully enjoyable.
The Blue Sky of Spring follows the oldest brother, Nicholas, the woman he loves, and an American stranger. Again, it's a gentle book about relationships -- friendship, romance, family -- with an interesting and not fully predictable plot. The Waynes are charming and their situations heart-touching, and the book is completely entertaining.
In Six Impossible Things, Julia, the youngest sister, returns from studying abroad, a local friend is getting married, and a stranger involves the Waynes in her attempt to break up from a controlling and vindictive fiancé. The result is an appealing, mostly lighthearted story of romance, friendship, and connections, but one not as substantial and griping as the previous two in the series.
March 28, 2024
Quite nice and ties everything up
November 26, 2024
Not much plot but revisiting the characters is enjoyable enough that I finished it.
January 31, 2025
3rd in the Wayne family trilogy, mostly Julia's and Nicholas' stories. Good to revisit the children of the first book
March 19, 2023
And they all lived happily ever after. Really? Who were they? How did they do so? Actually, I am leading you astray; one man leaves town quite unhappily. Count the impossible things. Are there really six?
January 27, 2022
The final book of the Waynes of Wood Mount trilogy. This is about 10 years after the first one which introduced the family. Now Nicholas is alone in the house - Lucille and Roselle have moved elsewhere with their husbands and are busy producing babies. Simon is learning to be a vet, Dominic is at Oxford, and Julia has been studying piano in Rome. She arrives home at the beginning of this book, much improved in looks and sophistication, which everyone but Nicholas can see - he still pictures her as his twelve-year-old sister. There is a luggage mixup at the airport, and a beautiful woman at whom Nicholas has been staring turns out to have an obnoxious fiance, who tries to start a fight over whose airline bag is whose. When Nicolas and Julia arrive home, they discover that they still have the wrong bag, which contains two books, and the other couple has Julia's bag, which contains her underwear. The town is all astir planning for Miriam Arkwright's wedding to an Italian count, and they forget to do anything about it. Until one night, when the beautiful Elaine shows up on Nicolas's doorstep and confesses that she switched the bags on purpose in a convoluted plot to get rid of her obnoxious boyfriend, who is now going to get the police after Nicolas because there was also money in her bag. She and Julia become friends and get more involved in the wedding plans. Joey Helyon reappears to make a movie of life in the town, and begins to court Nicholas's secretary, Miss Stocker. At the last minute, the bridegroom disappears, and Nicholas, Elaine, and some other friends go in search of him while Miriam is waiting at the church. Funny portrayals of ham-handed courting, and a send-up of Nicholas's blindness when it comes to his sister and his past love, and several romances enliven the story. An enjoyable read.
March 2019 - re-reading, since I just reread the first two books.
Janueary 2022 - re-reading again.
March 2019 - re-reading, since I just reread the first two books.
Janueary 2022 - re-reading again.
November 22, 2016
Much better than book two. Ten years later but all questions answered from the earlier books so it can stand alone but also be read as part of the series. The pacing is a bit slow for today's readers, and the point of view switches a great deal, but it's an enjoyable, "sweet" romance.
September 2, 2022
Last of the Wayne trilogy. Loved the return of certain characters (no spoilers here!) and getting to see them as they've matured. Most enjoyable, and I appreciated how a couple of under-appreciated characters from the other novels receive happier fates here.
November 23, 2016
Accidentally posted my review on my other Goodreads page, as Kaitlyn Dunnett (my pseudonym).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews