Parson's House

by Elizabeth Cadell

For Jeanne, Parson's House on the cliff-top had been a seaside haven. Years later, returning there from Canada divorced and with twin four-year-old daughters, she could hardly expect the place and the people to be the same. But she was quite unprepared for the bustle of the modern town which greeted her.

Genres: Romance, Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

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

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating Clarification: 2.5 Stars

My fourth Cadell, and easily the weakest of the bunch to date. The female heroine was more of a cardboard cut out, with none of Cadell's usual sassiness. The romance was pretty non-existant until the very end, where it seemed tacked on in order to close out the story. The only intriguing element was a slight paranormal plotline that excited me at first, but then fizzled out.

This was published in 1977, over 10 years after some of her really fun ones like The Toy Sword and Mrs. Westerby Changes Course. I think she just ran out of steam by the late 1970's.

I think I'm done with Cadell for a while and it's time for a breather, but when I do resume reading her books, I'm going to stick with those written in the 1950's and 60's.

[Sara Strange · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT A CUTE BOOK. I’m always on the hunt for fluffy cheerful old fashioned books and this was far better than most I’ve read. Funny and sweet and unpretentious and likable. Can’t wait to read more by Cadell.

(I don’t understand this horrible cover though).

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old friends

Although Cadell ostensibly writes love stories, what she does best is friendship. This book celebrates friendship in all its forms, from the reunion of old school friends to their friendship with the eccentric and elderly neighbour. The haunted house is a lovely touch. Is it, or is it not haunted by a troubling ghost who rejects unwanted tenants, while welcoming the family. The Indian family, a frequent Cadell trope, hovers round the edges, but never really com into their own, and I wished the two children were more developed, but this was a pleasing version of several of her more fun themes.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five old friends gather at the house where they spent their school vacations, along with Jeanne's four-year-old twins. The house, property of Oliver's stepfather David, has reverted to David's brother Marcus, who has always detested Oliver's now-deceased mother. But Marcus's plans to renovate the Parson's House are thwarted by local rumors that it is haunted. Another charming romance from Cadell.

[Christine Goodnough · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written story with compelling characters. Started out with a lengthy dialogue setting the backstory and took a time to get into the real action, but an interesting tale that held my attention all through.
This story concerns the adults. It seemed the twins were were mostly stage props to show Jeanne as a good mother. They didn't have much of a role, mostly off-stage playing or with a minder; they get almost no speaking parts. Not what you'd expect from normal four-year-olds.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice light British read. Very relaxing and included a happy ending for all the nice people. The not so nice people were suitably punished, but not too harshly.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not yet read a book by Ms Cadell that I haven't liked.

[Miriam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked many of the characters, but the hero doesn't even like the heroine's children, and yet somehow they end up together. That didn't really work for me.

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elizabeth Cadell (1903-1989) was a British author of light romances. In Parson’s House, she seems to be attempting to write something more serious. Five children who have been neglected or unwanted by their parents spend their school holidays together in a sort of family hotel in Devon. Years later, four of them return to the place. The house that they used to stay in is rumored to be haunted, so the book is part mystery, part romance, and part “coming-of-age” story where these young people have to start making adult decisions.

It had none of the light-heartedness of the previous five novels I have read.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea of a divorced mother with twins being wholly supported by her friends is lovely. I was intrigued by a seaside home with a history. The interactions and history of the childhood friends were interesting, with their being sent to Parson's house to stay as children. The mystery at the house was mostly resolved, with some aspects left to the reader's imagination. A couple of twists, and you have a story that pulls you through to a satisfying, if predictable, ending.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book years ago and had a vague feeling that I hadn't particularly liked it. Finally broke down and bought it for my kindle as I am bingeing on Cadell right now and I have to say I liked it more than I expected to. It's not one of her best by any means but it was a light read for a rainy afternoon.

My one big problem with it is that the issue of the "ghost" is never resolved. We find out how the rumours started and why, but the story does seem to suggest there was something supernatural going on but it just...ends.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of my favorites

Though I am not sure why. The groups of close childhood friends, the ghostly mystery, everyone ending up with the right partner in the right house. All so very satisfying.

[Joy O’Toole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful romp with engaging characters, ridiculous situations, and a haunted house. So fun and a perfect summer read.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cadell practically had me believing in ghosts with this one. I mean what terrified Maurice just before he toppled down the stairs at Parson's House? Mass hysteria? Real ghosts? Sometimes madrigal singers can get a house sold when ghost stories won't. Easy to snuggle into...a great summer read.

[Jennifer Metz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light and Witty Fare

It’s not Hemingway but it’s literate and pleasant reading. Cozy descriptions of a somewhat idyllic lifestyle. Home and friends and good meals and living by the ocean… It’s good for those who like British domestic tales w a touch of romance and all aspects mentioned above, which I do. In this way, it reminded me just a bit of Rosamund Pilcher’s earlier, and shorter, novels before she had bigger success with her more complex stories like The Shellseekers. Lady Cressing’s monologues are particularly amusing.

[Seawitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite Cadell but still a nice escape read.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cadell with a ghost, now that's a twist.