Sally's Family

by Gwendoline Courtney

For six years of war, the children of Sally's family have been living apart. Now, though Father is dead, it's Sally's duty to gather them together again.

Genres: Family, Childrens, School Stories

302 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1946

About the author

Born near Southampton in 1911, Gwendoline Courtney was the daughter of antiques dealer Edwin Courtney, and his wife Joanna. She was distantly related to author and educator Arthur Mee, and first cousins with Phyllis Norris, who wrote a number of books for girls. The family moved to Wallasey when Courtney was young, and she was educated at Oldershaw High School. She worked for a time in her father’s office, before joining Lord Goodman’s staff, during WWII, and prided herself on being the only civilian to work on Operation Overlord. After the deaths of their parents, Courtney and her two sisters lived together for the rest of their lives, moving from place to place - Courtney had sustained an ear injury, during a bomb blast, that made quiet absolutely essential - as the need arose. She died in Shaftesbury, in 1996.

Beginning with Torley Grange, published when when she was twenty-four, Courtney produced thirteen book for young readers. Her work fell out of favor during the 1960s, but she continued to write and lecture extensively. She was very active in various societies related to her interests, such as the West Country Writers Association, the Cornish Cat Society, and the Salisbury Fencing Club. She was also much involved in amateur theatricals, writing, producing and acting in plays.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very soothing, and full of pleasant domestic details, although I am concerned that the family's ancient electric heater (ancient in 1948!) will set the house on fire.

[Louise Culmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Sally Hamilton comes out of the A.T.S. after the end of the war, she is determined to fulfill her father’s dying wish that his children should be reunited again, the five younger ones having all spend the war living with different people. Fortunately help is at hand, Charles Selwood, an army comrade of the deceased Mr Hamilton is eager to help, since he owes his life to their father. He conveniently owns a house in the village near his own farm, and it is big enough for Sally and her siblings. Sally is apprehensive when her brothers and sisters arrive, for they have all led very different lives for six years and are virtual strangers to each other. The book describes the ups and downs of their lives as they get to know each other again and learn to get along, and to cope with their new country life, and learn to share the responsibilities of housework, gardening, etc.
This is a very enjoyable story, the Hamiltons are all interesting individuals with their own personalities. All are eager to make a success of their new life, except, at first, Kitty, who has led a luxurious life with a rich couple and doesn’t think much of the makeshift life they have to live in their new home. However,even Kitty comes to appreciate Sally’s efforts and to join in herself, though at one point she seems in danger of slipping back into her old ways as she makes friends with the vicar’s rather fast niece who entices her away to decadent pleasures that are never really described but I suspect possibly involve cinemas, and maybe even dance halls. I did wonder whether, in real life, the children would all so easily let go of the lives they had led during the war. I also wondered why Pookum, the youngest, has difficulty pronouncing any word of more than six letters. It is also interesting to reflect that some of their worries would become obsolete in a few years, no more worry about doctor’s bills once the NHS was created, and no grammar school fees, nor university tuition to worry about. How things changed in such a short time.

[Emma Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read with a lot of depth. Sally's siblings were separated during the Second World War and sent to various homes, when Sally finds out her father's dying wish is to have them all reunited again, she rents a house and sends for her brothers and sisters scattered all over the country. When they come back, they all realise they've all grown a lot during those years and while they try and find ways to bond as a family again, they all grow into fully fleshed, interesting people. It's a touching and very comforting story with lots of details about cooking, sewing, gardening and housekeeping, which I loved. I also really enjoyed that every child has a personality of his or her own and you can easily tell them apart, which also means that Courtney makes sure all of their different skills are valued. It has some interesting insight about the evacuation of children and the characters are an absolute delight. While Sally is the main character, my favourite sibling ended up being Lucy, a smart bookworm with a good deal of common sense who ends up choosing an unexpected career path. It's a very strong book and while it was my first by Courtney, it certainly won't be the last.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favorite comfort read of mine!

[Gina House · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5🌟 A lovable, entertaining and hard working family! The Hamiltons (Sally, Kitty, Guy, Lucy, Robin and Jane aka Pookum) are all just wonderful. Though they find themselves starting out in an almost derelict home after their parents have died, they rally together to make the most of it.

With the help of Charles, Mrs. Reed, Tom and Miss Selwood, they’re able to clean and restore the house, as well as find jobs for themselves. Every page is filled with the most cozy domestic details - which I LOVE!

If you enjoy stories about family, housekeeping, gardening and strength of character, this book is for you! Highly recommended!

[Shani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely family story set at the end of World War II.
Sally is determined to create a home for her siblings after their six years of living separate lives away from one another.

[Donnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

So charming!

The plot is a little thin but as soon as you meet this collection of siblings, raised in different homes during WWII to protect them from the London Blitz, you don't want to leave them.

Oh and it includes wonderful bits of wisdom, e.g.:

While cleaning an old house to create a home, one of the sisters says: "I'd certainly no idea that it was so absorbingly interesting making something out of nothing. I'd always thought the best way was to have lots of money and pay other people to do everything for you."

The other sister agreed, saying: "I don't believe that's half as much fun as doing it yourself." p. 156

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy and comforting read--simple, old-fashioned, and lovely.

Written in 1946, it's about young people learning to pull together in postwar circumstances and becoming their best selves in the interests of family. It has a homey LM Alcott vibe (albeit a different war and with less development of character in the context of the social milieu). It's very satisfying.

[Iffah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Gwendoline Courtney book, and I loved it so much. I enjoyed reading about the challenges that faced Sally and the family itself. I thought the plot believable and simply couldn't put the book down.

[Catie]

Recommended by Arpita (@bagfullbooks) - December 2020

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining story but also interesting historically to see life just after WW2 portrayed.

[Tassiemouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

My boyfriend gave me this book for Christmas and I absolutely loved it! The Girls Gone by edition that I received had a fascinating article at the beginning about conditions for families at the end of the War. This provided a good insight into what Sally and her five younger siblings were up against as they come together as a family at the War's end. This heartwarming book deals with Sally's struggles to make her very different siblings, brought up in very different evacuee foster homes, unite as one family again. It has lots of interesting domestic details of home life and highlights the challenges of running a home in straightened circumstances. The differing characters of the siblings are well drawn, with Courtney's usual humourous touches. The Christmas chaper was truly lovely and great to read at this time of year. This is a wonderful book and on a par with 'Long Barrow' my other favourite of this author's books.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sally is determined to reunite her family after they have been separated by the war. It would be enough of a challenge to bring five such different people, from careless Robin to fashion-plate Kitty, into one family again, but it's even worse when she sees the state of the cottage she intends for their home...

Gwendoline Courtney excels at family stories which in fact show how a group of random people can become a family by living and working together, and this is a typically warm and comfortable read, even if you don't share Courtney's belief in the therapeutic joys of cleaning and cooking.

[Sue Gilkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I have read it countless times over the years - it is a great comfort book. There is something appealing about Sally's attempts to reunite her brothers and sisters after their being split up - evacuated to different families during the war. Now my daughter loves it just as much. If I'm looking for my copy I know where to find it!

[Jen Pritchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rather charming book with great characters and a lovely warm feeling!

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book