Gentle Greaves

by Ernest Raymond

Gentle Greaves is the story of a love that pursued its passionate course amid the elegance and beauty of England from before the First World War. It is rich storytelling that vividly recalls that enthralling era, while creating human beings whom you will never forget.

543 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Ernest Raymond (1888–1974) was a British novelist, best known for his first novel, Tell England (1922), set in World War I. His next biggest success was We, The Accused (1935), generally thought to be a reworking of the Hawley Harvey Crippen case, which was made into a BBC drama starring Ian Holm in 1980. He wrote over fifty novels. Raymond's autobiography was published in two volumes; the first, The Story of My Days, 1888-1922, was published in 1968; the second, Please You, Draw Near, 1922-1968, in 1969. He was awarded an OBE in 1972, and died in 1974.

Raymond was educated at St Paul's and at Chichester Theological College. He was ordained in the Anglican Church in 1914 and served on six fronts in the First World War. He resigned Holy Orders in 1923. He wrote many books, including the novels Damascus Gate (1923), A Chorus Ending (1951), The City and the Dream (1958, which concluded his London Gallery series of novels portraying London life in the first half of the twentieth century), Mr Olim (1961), and The Bethany Road (1967). Other titles include Two Gentlemen of Rome:The Story of Keats and Shelley (1952), and Paris, City of Enchantment (1961).

George Orwell in 1945 praised Raymond as a "natural novelist" who could portray convincingly the lives of ordinary people. In particular he praised We, the Accused for its emotional power, while criticizing the clumsy and long-winded way it is written.

(Source: Wikipedia).

Reviews

[Sandy Menke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very old book that was my mother's, copyright early 70's. The author, Ernest Raymond, was highly acclaimed as a great English author. The story takes place before WWI on through II in England. A young man falls in love with a childhood playmate when she becomes a young woman. He is obsessed with her but more obsessed with making the world a better place by becoming a publisher of inspiring books. Knowing he won't make much money for a long time, he still sticks with this dream and Gentle (his love) moves on. The story continues with great detail, but endured me to this young man's will.

[Cathy Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites! May have to read this one again!

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s taken me awhile to get through this book AND I am so glad I gave myself time + finished.
I was initially introduced to this author after reading A Mountain Farm. Gentle Greaves was just as well written and as warm hearted. I appreciated the Father’s character oh-SO-very MUCH! 4+ stars, for sure

[Marie Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with many love stories, Gentle Greaves has its ups and downs. The reader never knows how it will end! I usually favor a happy ending; In this case I accept the fact that it probably won't happen. What I did find interesting was a detailed explanation of how the publishing world works.