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Flambards #1-3
Flambards: Trilogy
Christina Parsons, an orphan, moves to her Uncle Russell's country estate, Flambards, which he hopes to return to solvency with a marriage between his son, Mark, and Christina, when she receives her inheritance
512 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1978
111 people want to read
About the author
K.M. Peyton
109 books149 followersKathleen Wendy Herald Peyton MBE, who wrote primarily as K. M. Peyton, was a British author of fiction for children and young adults
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 14, 2008
Flambards, The Edge of the Cloud, and Flambards in Summer comprise this excellent trilogy, which I devoured after watching on PBS in 1982 the engaging British television series Flambards. The series was based on all three books and featured a marvelous performance by Christine McKenna as Christina. I fell in love with the series (which is available on DVD and which I also highly recommend) but confess that I have yet to read the controversial sequel Flambards Divided. At any rate, the series and the trilogy immersed me in early twentieth-century England and made me care very much for the characters. I love both the trilogy and the series and recommend both of them very highly!
January 2, 2021
I originally read this trilogy (Flambards, The Edge of the Cloud, and Flambards in Summer) when they were first published in the early 1970s and I was a teenager. I remember loving the saga of the spirited orphan Christina coming to terms with her new life with her horrible uncle and two boy cousins in the English countryside, and all the drama that ensued. My pandemic reading desires have taken me back to my childhood, and I approached this K.M. Peyton classic with trepidation - would it hold up, or disappoint?
Because the trilogy is set in the period before, during and after World War I, the old-fashioned aspects are appropriate, and I found myself enjoying all three book again hugely! Peyton's ability to conjure up the English countryside in tactile detail and in all seasons is deeply satisfying, and her portrayal of strong-willed and self-reflective Christina from 12 year old girl to seasoned woman in her early 20s is masterful. The meeting of horse culture, early airplanes and cars, as well as an unvarnished look at the horrors and losses of The Great War, makes for an engaging and fascinating story. Highly recommended. Maybe I'll check out the British TV series next.
Because the trilogy is set in the period before, during and after World War I, the old-fashioned aspects are appropriate, and I found myself enjoying all three book again hugely! Peyton's ability to conjure up the English countryside in tactile detail and in all seasons is deeply satisfying, and her portrayal of strong-willed and self-reflective Christina from 12 year old girl to seasoned woman in her early 20s is masterful. The meeting of horse culture, early airplanes and cars, as well as an unvarnished look at the horrors and losses of The Great War, makes for an engaging and fascinating story. Highly recommended. Maybe I'll check out the British TV series next.
December 5, 2017
This was hard to find. I read the 3 separate versions plus the "sequel" Flambards Divided, which was written some time after the original 3 books. I had watched the tv series recently from Netflix and wanted to read the books on which the series was based. The tv series stays very close to the books and in actual fact I got very little extra insight on the plots or the characters from reading the books.
The books are officially in the childrens section, but I tend to think this is a mischaracterisation of them. I found them very much suited to me as I had read some deeper books and was pleased to have a lighter, quick read as a welcome change. I think many aspects of the plot would be more suited to a more mature reader than the target audience.
12 year old Christina Parsons who was orphaned at the age of 6 and has been living with different aunts is now moving out of London to live with her uncle and cousins in the country Estate of Flambards in the 1900s. When she gets there she discovers a run down old house, a bitter disabled uncle, and a lifestyle that centres around horses and hunting. Although she has never ridden, she is taught by the young stablehand and soon falls in love with the horses and the excitement of hunting. One of the cousins loves to hunt but the younger cousin, recovering from a riding accident, would much rather spend his time doing something else. His interest is the exciting new pastime of aeroplanes rather than anything to do with horses. The first book is full of how Christina settles into her new lifestyle and gets to know her cousins.
The trilogy takes place over a span of 10 years or so and we see the young cousins grow up and deal with adult issues. World War 1 looms and takes place and the idyllic lifestyle of horses and hunts as well as flying become forever changed because of the realities of War. The sequel takes the story further into the 20s and Christina learns to live with the realities of change that the War has made and perhaps some regrets.
I would recommend the series to anyone who enjoys reading period novels. I found the settings accurate and well described. The books move quickly with a satisfactory amount of description and action in each chapter. The sequel was not part of the tv series and for some readers it could be an unsatisfactory conclusion.
The books are officially in the childrens section, but I tend to think this is a mischaracterisation of them. I found them very much suited to me as I had read some deeper books and was pleased to have a lighter, quick read as a welcome change. I think many aspects of the plot would be more suited to a more mature reader than the target audience.
12 year old Christina Parsons who was orphaned at the age of 6 and has been living with different aunts is now moving out of London to live with her uncle and cousins in the country Estate of Flambards in the 1900s. When she gets there she discovers a run down old house, a bitter disabled uncle, and a lifestyle that centres around horses and hunting. Although she has never ridden, she is taught by the young stablehand and soon falls in love with the horses and the excitement of hunting. One of the cousins loves to hunt but the younger cousin, recovering from a riding accident, would much rather spend his time doing something else. His interest is the exciting new pastime of aeroplanes rather than anything to do with horses. The first book is full of how Christina settles into her new lifestyle and gets to know her cousins.
The trilogy takes place over a span of 10 years or so and we see the young cousins grow up and deal with adult issues. World War 1 looms and takes place and the idyllic lifestyle of horses and hunts as well as flying become forever changed because of the realities of War. The sequel takes the story further into the 20s and Christina learns to live with the realities of change that the War has made and perhaps some regrets.
I would recommend the series to anyone who enjoys reading period novels. I found the settings accurate and well described. The books move quickly with a satisfactory amount of description and action in each chapter. The sequel was not part of the tv series and for some readers it could be an unsatisfactory conclusion.
July 30, 2011
I read this when I was a teenager and just loved it. I picked this up at the library to re-read and didn't get very far. The first part is very good, but as she ages her love interest turns out to be her cousin. I overlooked that when I was a teen, but now, eww yuck - just can't get past it.
June 7, 2018
have just re-read this thoroughly enjoyed it.
February 13, 2020
A favorite; read after seeing the c. 1980 British miniseries.
July 17, 2012
I saw the PBS series years ago and loved it. I've always wanted to read the books and decided summer is the time for fun reads such as this series.This is the first book in the trilogy. The story takes place in Edwardian England. I love the spirited female main character of Christina. She is a young orphan sent to live at her Uncle Russel's estate called Flambards. In the story Christina gradually falls in love with Flambards and its rugged lifestyle of fox hunting. Yet, Christina is uncomfortable with the class differences between the servants and the estate dwellers. This conflict is one of the conflicts that makes this story so interesting. In some respects it reminds me of the Downton Abbey story that has become so popular.
April 21, 2011
Interesting period piece about an orphan and the rough household she is taken into. Christina has been shunted from relative to relative since her parents died when she was 5. At the start of this trilogy, she is about 11 and is sent to Flambards, the home of her uncle Russell and his two boys. Christina must navigate her way through the troubled waters of this benighted house. The three parts are set during the years before and during World War I, further adding texture to the novel.
I could have wished for some deeper characterizations, but all in all, it was a compelling read about a world that is changing despite the stubbornness of its denizens.
I could have wished for some deeper characterizations, but all in all, it was a compelling read about a world that is changing despite the stubbornness of its denizens.
July 10, 2011
This is a trilogy: Flambards, Edge of a Cloud, and Flambards in Summer. Nice period read about an orphan who is sent to live with her harsh Uncle and 2 cousins in pre-WWI England. The household is horse-crazy, and life revolves around fox-hunting. In contrast, the younger cousin is crazy about airplanes, and the books also give an interesting insight into what it was like to be a pilot at the time when flight was brand new, and many pilots risked their lives to fly in home-made airplanes.
Light, enjoyable reading. These books are marketed as "juvenile fiction", so I would recommend it for adults, teens and tween girls as well.
Light, enjoyable reading. These books are marketed as "juvenile fiction", so I would recommend it for adults, teens and tween girls as well.
September 8, 2012
This is more for 12-15 year old girls..but it was a period England novel so of course I found myself immersed in it. It was first published in 1978 so it is dated but what is not to love about a strong spirited orphan girl who tackles life's obstacles.
September 3, 2010
This was a drama on Masterpiece Theatre. The romance and the rural life with horses just swept me away as a teenager.
April 17, 2011
There are three books in this series and I read them when I was about 12. Loved them.
September 16, 2011
Loved this series. Must have read and reread atleast 5 times
Now giving to my 11 year old Daughter to enjoy. A Family heirloom
Now giving to my 11 year old Daughter to enjoy. A Family heirloom
October 3, 2012
I read these books as a teenager...and again as an adult and they are still wonderful books. They remain a firm favourite even all these years later.
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July 25, 2024I wish they weren’t cousins
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews