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Kendal Trilogy #2
The Autumn's Brightness
Her visit to New York was supposed to be a special treat for Dilly. At least her sophisticated New York cousin Elmira planned it that way. But for Dilly, a widow of 52, all the nice parties couldn't make up for the fact that she was homesick for Kendal, Rhode Island, with its Quaker meetings and its community projects.
She was almost to go home when she met Durand, a gentle yet persuasive man. He called first on business, but he came back to give Dilly a most important gift--a view of the city through the eyes of an imaginative guide. A new world opened to Dilly, for Durand's presence lent enchantment to every incident: a rumbling wonderful ride on the Third Avenue El; Roman punch at the 14th Street automat; Central Park Zoo on a frosty December afternoon.
Yet the ways of Dilly's former life argued against her continuing her friendship with Durand, and she returned home convinced that she was past the age for romance.
She couldn't forget, however, the man who sang her a nursery rhyme, shared penny chocolate bars with her and taught her to feel excitement and the delight which young hearts take in ordinary wonders.
(From the Back Cover)
She was almost to go home when she met Durand, a gentle yet persuasive man. He called first on business, but he came back to give Dilly a most important gift--a view of the city through the eyes of an imaginative guide. A new world opened to Dilly, for Durand's presence lent enchantment to every incident: a rumbling wonderful ride on the Third Avenue El; Roman punch at the 14th Street automat; Central Park Zoo on a frosty December afternoon.
Yet the ways of Dilly's former life argued against her continuing her friendship with Durand, and she returned home convinced that she was past the age for romance.
She couldn't forget, however, the man who sang her a nursery rhyme, shared penny chocolate bars with her and taught her to feel excitement and the delight which young hearts take in ordinary wonders.
(From the Back Cover)
Paperback
First published January 1, 1955
About the author
Daisy Newman
22 books1 followerDaisy Newman, a novelist and Quaker historian, was born in Southport, England, of American parents. She attended Radcliffe College, Barnard College and Oxford University. An active member of the Friends Meeting in Cambridge, Mass., she frequently wrote about Quaker life and history.
She was the author of many novels, including "Now That April's Here," "Diligence in Love," "The Autumn's Brightness" and "I Take Thee, Serenity." She also wrote a history of American Quakers, "A Procession of Friends." She died in 1994.
She was the author of many novels, including "Now That April's Here," "Diligence in Love," "The Autumn's Brightness" and "I Take Thee, Serenity." She also wrote a history of American Quakers, "A Procession of Friends." She died in 1994.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 8, 2010
A quiet book that grew on me as it progressed. The second in Daisy Newman's Kendal series, it was nice to meet old [F]friends and make some new ones. Hopeful yet realistic, it looks beyond the early heady days of romance, to a love that comes to two people in middle age.
October 26, 2021
Diligence Fuller (Dilly to her friends) is a 52 year old widow with three grown children, living a simple but fulfilling life. A peaceful life of gardening, occasional visits from her children, and enjoying her home in the small community of Quaker Friends in rural Kendal, Rhode Island is all she needs or wants. Or is it? While visiting her cousin in NYC, a chance meeting with a charming gentleman turns her quiet life from its set course into an unexpected and enchanting adventure of the heart.
A lovely, delightful story. This one earns a spot on my favorites shelf.
5 stars
A lovely, delightful story. This one earns a spot on my favorites shelf.
5 stars
December 30, 2011
The wholesomest book ever. Dilly is stuck in her 50's mom/widow role. Cousin Elmira in NYC reminds me of Nicole!
November 15, 2018
a surprisingly warm tale of middle age second spring
December 28, 2025
This is the second story in Daisy Newman’s series set in Kendal, Rhode Island. You don’t need to read the first book to read this one though there are some reoccurring characters. This book is about Diligence, a middle-aged Quaker widow who visits her posh cousin in New York City. She is overwhelmed and lonely until she meets Durand, a dog biscuit salesman, who brings the city alive in a way her cousin couldn’t.
Dilly goes to the automat and enjoys Roman Punch, which turns out to be a cupcake with jelly and shredded coconut on top. I googled this and found no recipes for such a dessert, only a few cocktail recipes.
“But that’s only the beginning, Dilly thought, impatient with the author. For a grown-up, the flowering of love is in the living happily ever after, just where the stories stop… Did the rapture flow into the bloodstream of their life together, conferring irrational glory on all their mundane acts?”
This is a sweet and satisfying love story. It is unusual in that it depicts second love, and in a way that is pure and slow-moving. Newman’s books uplift the reader in a way that is addictive and I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
Dilly goes to the automat and enjoys Roman Punch, which turns out to be a cupcake with jelly and shredded coconut on top. I googled this and found no recipes for such a dessert, only a few cocktail recipes.
“But that’s only the beginning, Dilly thought, impatient with the author. For a grown-up, the flowering of love is in the living happily ever after, just where the stories stop… Did the rapture flow into the bloodstream of their life together, conferring irrational glory on all their mundane acts?”
This is a sweet and satisfying love story. It is unusual in that it depicts second love, and in a way that is pure and slow-moving. Newman’s books uplift the reader in a way that is addictive and I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews