The Lark Shall Sing

Waynes of Wood Mount #1

by Elizabeth Cadell

The six Waynes, with no parents to guide them, are six violent individualists ranging in age from nine to twenty-four. Head of the household is Lucille, red-headed, forceful, determined to make this family a going concern.

As a year’s experiment, Lucille parcels everyone out, while she herself takes a job as companion to an old lady. Eleven-year-old Simon and nine-year-old Dominic go to an aunt and uncle. Ten-year-old Julie is popped into convent school. Nicholas is finishing off his army service and gentle, whimsical Roselle is making a muddle of being a secretary.

Suddenly news from Lucille throws all the other Waynes into an uproar and precipitates a sensational family reunion. Converging on Lucille by bus, foot and bike, they proceed to shatter one of her dreams and help her to start another.

Young and unexpected loves paves some of the way; an Italian Fuller Brush man and a retired school matron add a bit; and the indomitable small-fry clean up what’s left.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Classics, Historical Fiction, British Literature, Literary Fiction, Audiobook

Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Violet 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.

Reviews

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth Cadell is one of those names I heard quite often and felt pretty sure I would like her, and I'm pleased to say I was right.

This story opens with Lucille, the eldest sister of the rather large Wayne family, and head of the household as their parents have died, heading back to the family home to prepare it for sale. Her siblings, having received letters from her explaining this, all head back from their various locations to try to stop her. Fortunately, most of them meet helpful strangers on their journeys and halfway through the book they all end up at the house. The second half of the book deals with the family - and the helpful strangers - trying to arrange matters so they can stay.

The family are such fun to spend time with and I'm pleased to find out there are sequels so I look forward to catching up with them all again.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mother introduced me to Elizabeth Cadell when I was first making the switch from children's books to adult books. Lo, these many years later, I still love to read EC's books. These are, in general, gentle romances, some with mysteries, about English gentlemen and gentlewomen.

The Lark Shall Sing is one of my favorites. The Wayne family has always lived at Wood Mount House. After their father's death, oldest daughter Lucille looks after her ineffectual mother and the other children: Nicholas, Roselle, then after a large gap in years, the younger siblings - Simon, Julia & Dominic. After the mother's death, Lucille tries to keep the family together for a year but lack of funds brings them to the point where the family is split up & the house is let for a year. Nicholas is in the army finishing up his 2 year commitment, Roselle is working in London, the boys are living with an aunt & uncle, Julia is at a boarding school, and Lucille is a companion to an elderly lady but has recently become engaged. The year is up and their tenants have left and our story begins.

Lucille returns to Wood Mount to put the house up for sale. She decides that this is the only option open to them and sends off letters to her siblings asking what items they wish to keep. This sparks off a mass exodus as all the brothers & sisters make their way home to protest her decision.

The Wayne family members are just a delightful bunch of well-drawn characters. Along with a supporting cast of characters ranging from an ex-headmistress of a school to an Italian waiter, a lovable dog to a matinee idol, you can't help but enjoy this family and the way in which they settle their lives.

[Cookie M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful little book written in 1955 by Elizabeth Cadell about the Wayne family in their first adventure. This is all about how they very nearly lost their family home due to the engagement of the eldest Wayne sister Lucille, who has held the family together since the death of their parents.
It is impossible not to fall in love with the Waynes and the supporting cast of characters. Even the antagonist of the story is a good hearted soul, just overwhelmed.
I am reading this on a cold rainy day, drinking tea. Heaven!

[Abigail Bok · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are books that are too long so you finish with a sigh of relief, beautifully rounded books that seem just long enough, and then—possibly my favorites—books that feel way too short. This one not only felt too short but probably was; some dramatic possibilities were left on the table. Nevertheless, I loved every moment between its pages and inhaled it in less than twenty-four hours, wanting it to go on and on.

The story gets under way in a nameless corner of southern England in the mid-fifties with Miss Lucille Wayne in the office of an elder family friend and land agent. Lucille, in her twenties, is the eldest of six children who grew up in a lovely house (clearly they were what English writers of the period liked to call “the right sort of people”), but their parents both died and there was no money to keep the place. They rented it out for a year while Lucille and the next-eldest sister took jobs, the eldest son went into the military, and the three youngest children went to school and spent time at the house of an aunt and uncle. Now the tenants have left the family home and Lucille, who has grown accustomed to being the decision maker of the family, has decided it must be sold and the family dispersal made permanent. She writes to all her siblings to inform them, and then all hell breaks loose.

All of the children decide more or less independently that they will come home to try to dissuade her. Not being prepared, financially or otherwise, for the journey, they all have various misadventures and pick up accretions of random kindly adults along the way, and all arrive in a heap on the doorstep, to Lucille’s dismay. What ensues may be predictable but it’s also delightful, up to and including a smidgen of swoony romance.

Every character is well rounded and credible, and most are endearing without being saccharine. Even the random kindly adults are drawn into the heart of this messy, loving group. I desperately wanted things to work out for them and was satisfied with how everything turned out. But I so wanted to join the group and stay with them forever!

Marlene, I think this book is one for you.

[Julie Durnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Cadell and it was just a delight! This family of six and their lovely home was a real comfort read and I'm hoping the rest of the Wayne family books are just as good.

[Kate Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an utterly wonderful start to the Wayne Family trilogy! This was my first Elizabeth Cadell book and I plan on reading many more after this. This checked several boxes for me: home being viewed as a refuge from the world. a larger than life atmosphere of beautiful chaos in a household with many people, and a family story where each of the siblings have their own personality quirks and distinctions.

The story is slow to kick off when Lucille, the eldest of the Wayne family, lets her siblings know that she is going to be married shortly and will be selling the family home. Things pick up quickly when all the siblings decide they will do whatever it takes to keep the family home and all work on traveling home to be with each other.

The writing style was fairly straightforward and isn't as flowery as I typically gravitate towards. I didn't mind this after a while because of how endearing Elizabeth Cadell made the characters. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

[CLM · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great reread! If you can find this at your library, check it out - that might stop some librarian from discarding it - and don't forget to read it. Here is a link to my review:

http://perfectretort.blogspot.com/201...

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the chaotic, quirky, sad, dear, funny Warren family (three older children, three younger children) who were at a loss after their parents death but found a way to happiness again. I will definitely continue this series right away!

[Emma Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful novel, I'm happy I picked this as my first Cadell and I'm so happy she's being reprinted or at least available on Kindle now. She was really hard to track for years and it was frustrating because I kept seeing her name pop up next to some of my favourite authors. The Lark Shall Sing reminded me of Rosamunde Pilcher - it's about the family you have and the family you make, about roots and places that you call home. It's also a romance and a very funny study of an eccentric group of people who each have their own personality and come together after years of solitude. It made me long for those weekends I had as a child when I would take refuge in one of my grandparents' bedrooms with a book, waiting for someone to find me and listening to the clatter of dishes after lunch as the grown-ups were cleaning up, I would have the lulling laugh and chatter of my family in the background and would be upstairs in my quiet world but with the comfort that the presence of people gives you. I like those books that conjure up a feeling and The Lark Shall Sing is one of them.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Elizabeth Cadell, but it won't be my last. I love these old-fashioned British novels, especially when they're about quirky families like this one. It reminded me somewhat of both Margery Sharp and I Capture the Castle (although a bit more twee).

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marvelous feel-good story about family ties. Cadell's gentle humor shines throughout.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming and humorous story of a 1950's English family in the country trying to stay a family in their beloved home. The oldest sister and head of the family (upon the loss of their parents) almost ruins her life and the lives of her 5 siblings by trying to sell the house and marrying a man totally wrong for her. Luckily, the rest of the family refuses to be bossed and split up. With the help of some "benefactors" along the way, who themselves need a family, everyone finds their hearts desire. Each of the brothers and sisters, and our heroine, Lucille, are very well drawn, interesting and likable. This gentle story has a few laugh out loud moments and some touching ones. Followed by two sequels, in which, I trust, all of the boys and girls find their destinies.

https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings....

[Bookworman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this lovely book a few times with great enjoyment. Listening the audio version was just as fun. Great story, mild, witty humor, lovable characters, and a satisfying ending.

[Mela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third, and for now, the best of Mrs Cadell that I read. I couldn't put down the book. I wanted to know what would happen to all the siblings. I was enchanted with all of them. And of course, now I must know what happens to them next.

By the way, Barb summarized it perfectly: Marvelous feel-good story about family ties. Cadell's gentle humor shines throughout.

[4.5 stars, 0.5 less because of not enough of a main love story]

[Julie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled on Elizabeth Cadell when browsing shelves at the downtown library many, many years ago. She was so prolific I was surprised that I'd never heard of her before but I fell under her spell with the first book I read.

These novels are often called romances but they are much more than that. They weave everyday life, mystery, and romance with likable characters who you want to succeed. A fair number of them are set in Portugal which made me aware of that country in a new way. These are books for which you can often predict the story line but which you enjoy reading and rereading nonetheless. They fit into the loose category where you'd find Cold Comfort Farm, Enchanted April, and Miss Buncle's Book.

They are witty, well plotted, and leave you in a good mood. I return to them again and again for light reading. This one was 99 cents for the Kindle and is a good place to start.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you combined P.G. Wodehouse and D.E. Stevenson, you might get Elizabeth Cadell. A delightful mix of characters makes for a very pleasant read.
Read thanks to an interlibrary loan.

[Michele Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first time I have read an Elizabeth Cadell novel. It took me a chapter to get into this sweet, sweet story about the Wayne family. Once the characters started to connect, I loved this little journey. The six Wayne siblings have lost their mother and the family is separated, each one living in different towns, and the family home has been leased and is about to be sold. The oldest daughter, Lucille, who is in charge of the family, has farmed the two youngest boys, Simon and Dominic, out to an aunt, the oldest son, Nicholas, is in the service, ten year old, Julie, is sent to a convent school, and Roselle, is living her dream in London (or is she). When Lucille meets Digby (dull Dibgy) and becomes engaged she pens a letter to all the siblings that the sale is imminent. As each letter arrives, chaos ensues and each brother and sister finds whatever means possible to return to the family home and stop the sale. Along the journey home each of them find a savior, literally and figuratively. An Italian Fuller brush salesman, a retired school teacher, and a very dashing actor, all become part of a very spur of the moment decision to keep the family home.
Oh yes, and there is a dog, Long John!!! I'm always done in by a dog!
"She walked forward and unlatched the window. Before it had opened more than a foot, a hairy body had launched itself past her, over a chair, and onto the waiting boy. There was a thump as the two hit the ground together, and then boy and dog were inextricably mixed up, and an hysterical tail, two groping hands, a brown smooth head and a black and white shaggy one appeared and vanished and appeared again. The dog's yelps were joined by other, quieter, murmuring sounds as Simon talked in the language that Long John knew so well. His eyes were shining: on his cheeks stood the tears he so rarely shed."

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have discovered the books of Elizabeth Cadell on Kindle. I read a few of them some decades ago, and I'm so glad to rediscover them. "The Lark Shall Sing" introduces the Wayne family, all six of them. The Wayne family home, Wood Mount, is going up for sale after being let for a year. At least, Lucille, the eldest, intends to sell it. Once her five brothers and sisters find out, they all rush home (by various and curious ways) to stop the sale. What follows is a romp through the British countryside by several modes of transportation: train, bus, motorcycle (with sidecar), bicycle and limousine or even on foot. Lucille is totally stressed to find not only her five siblings, but strangers as well, at her door. I loved the different characters, all different, but so colorful. I found Lucille's fiance, Digby (what a name) to be a nice guy but definitely thrown in at the deep end. I look forward to book two to see what further adventures the Wayne family will have.

[Elinor · Rating 4 out of 5]

After their parents die, eldest daughter Lucille finds homes for her five younger siblings and rents their beloved family home for one year. When the year is up, she writes and tells each of them that the house must be sold because there is no money to keep it up. All five siblings immediately travel home and confront Lucille, who has reluctantly agreed to marry a man she doesn't love in order to get out of her financial woes. I loved this book, because it had not only lots of fascinating characters and a good plot line, but plenty of heart.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite older books to lift my spirits. I reread it at least once a year. It is a delightful story of an orphaned family of six siblings trying to keep together and maintain their plantation style home in England. They band together against the oldest sister to save the day. Humorous.

The sequel is "Six Impossible Things" which I also reread often. You may have to find it at a used bookstore.

[Michelle Fournier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a Delightful book to stumble across! Lots of BIG family fun...6 kids of various ages and personalities and an old, rambling, Huge house that is a Home.... funny escapades abound. This reminded me of the Saturdays, but for adults; not because there is anything objectionable, but just that some of the 'kids' are in their twenties and there is some light romance in the second half of the book as well. Very clean, very proper and a charming old british novel. This is a new-to-me author I look forward to reading again. A fun mix of children, and adults, and unique personalities all coming together!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet,humorous, sophisticated

This book tells the story of the Wayne family who live in Greenhurst in the Hampshire country side. Everyone in the large family of siblings dispersed after the death of their mother who left no money to care for the large home. When eldest sister Lucille decides it is time to sell it, everyone converges on the family home and hilarity ensues. Well drawn characters, humor, love, and family ties drive the plot of this well written book. I look forward to the publication of the sequel for Kindle.

[Jennifer Kabay · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

The Wayne orphans are heartbroken when eldest sister Lucille decides to sell their family home. Separately they make their way back to the only place they knew together, meeting friends and adventure along the way.

I love a charming house in the British countryside. And I love the spritely mid-century lexicon that only exists in tales like these or Sunday afternoon movies on the BBC. Things are either quite jolly or positively beastly, and this book warmed my heart like a warm cuppa. Milk, two sugars.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it took me a few pages to get into the story, this ultimately became a very enjoyable read. It’s easy to fall in love with the Wayne family and the people that join their sweet, funny, loving journey. Another reviewer called the book “‘The Saturdays’ for grown ups,” which is an apt description.

I’m looking forward to the other two books in this series.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed the book, the family it's about, the house they want to continue to live in. This is the first of a trilogy, and I can't wait to read the sequels. Reminded me of a slightly-sharper-tongued D. E. Stevenson, which is my view is a great thing to be.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book about family, life, and growing up. My mom read it to us aloud on a car trip when I was young. Plenty of laughs. One of my very favorite books.

[Anne Boesiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

This was an uttering charming book. The plot was gentle and absorbing. The humor was well placed and now I'm ready for book two.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Lucille Wayne has decided to sell the family home "and her decision brought from afar, on the instant, unheralded, her scattered brothers and sisters, who came separately but remained to unite in a solid and unflinching front, resolved to oppose the sale."

Cadell is known for her light, clean romances, but in this one, the romance is secondary. I loved this crazy family and laughed outloud more than once at their antics. Cadell does a wonderful job of describing each sibling and I couldn't help loving book-loving Julia, the "ugly duckling" of the group. There is a fairytale quality to the story with appearances of characters who come out of nowhere to help make the resolution possible, but I enjoyed both Pietro and Miss Cornhill as much as I loved the Wayne family members.

A wonderful story. I took off half a star only because of the light profanity sprinkled throughout.

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have just found a new author to adore! If you're a fan of DE Stevenson or Miss Read you will enjoy these.

[Chrisanne]

It was slightly icky in the beginning. I think I found it on a GR list. So I don't feel guilty about not finishing it.