Lady Blanche Farm

by Frances Parkinson Keyes

A story of how a dying woman's curse affected lives and loves of a family for 150 years

Genres: Fiction, Family

206 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

Frances Parkinson Keyes was an American author who wrote about her life as the wife of a U.S. Senator and novels set in New England, Louisiana, and Europe. A convert to Roman Catholicism, her later works frequently featured Catholic themes and beliefs. Her last name rhymes with "skies," not "keys."

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surely an old fashioned book, written over 80 years ago, set during WWI, 100 years ago. Yes, it's sentimental and ennobling. It tells the rather predictable tale of a set of young lovers who also happen to be cousins, living on a modest farm in the wilds of Vermont, among their many and varied relatives. Like Pride & Prejudice, it contrasts two sets of lovers, each couple has one rather weak and foolish half, who, during the course of the story, comes to recognize the true greatness of the other half and convinces the reader that the change they have effected is real, lasting and deep. If this is simplistic and unrealistic, then I'll gladly take it over the pandering to our lowest lusts which is all that modern novels seem to offer now. Why shouldn't people reach for the best they might be rather than seek comfort that they aren't the rock-bottom worst they could be?
I especially enjoyed the descriptions of the Connecticut River Valley (which I only became aware of existing during my trip to New England a few months ago!) My favorite character in the book was little Moses Manning, the 5 year-old brother of the long-suffering Mary. He is forthright and sturdy, and only once is he noble!

[Bethany Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness... this book was ever so lovely. It’s subtitled, “A Romance of the Commonplace” but the ways Keyes describes men and women is not common in any century.

I hadn’t heard of the author—my family found Lady Blanche Farm at a book sale and decided it looked pretty. I’m sad to report that according to my research, in some of her works she is “fashionably” (as Wikipedia rather oddly implies 😅) racist, or at the very least, she participates in misrepresentation of the more marginalized peoples of the day.

In today’s world, we often brand someone as bad without thought of how they may improve, and that is what I liked best about Lady Blanche Farm. A character L. M. Montgomery would have dismissed as vulgar is allowed to grow into a strong and noble person. And for that, I’m grateful. I love well-done redemption arcs, and I love soft simplicity, and I love strong female characters who are also allowed to be women and not copies.

So I hope Keyes herself was able to grow and learn from her failings. I do think we can change, and she demonstrated that so wonderfully in Lady Blanche Farm.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author writes about another time, a quaint life style. It was relaxing, and very pleasant reading. The characters were people I'd enjoy knowing~some of them better than others! I read Queen Anne's Lace right after this, and I wouldn't mind reading more by her.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was sweet and refreshing .. sentimental and romantic. Just the thing during this difficult time.

[Val Robson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful book by American author Frances Parkinson Keyes. Published in 1931 and set in rural Connecticut spanning 1917-1920 as the United States entered the Great War, now known as World War One. Lady Blanche Farm is very much a romance following members of the Manning family who have lived on this land for many generations. Colonel Moses Manning, great great grandfather of the current younger family members, married Lady Blanche, an English countess. They had twins Moses and Blanche but the Countess died.

The three houses on the estate are still occupied by family members who are all cousins. In one resides Seth with his daughter Mary, 20, and two young sons, Moses and Algernon. Seth's wife, Laura has died so Mary is now looking after the home and her two small and often mischievous brothers. Jane, an unmarried plain lady is in another house and the third is the home of Violet and her children Blanche, 17, and Paul,20. Violet is a widow as her husband Martin has died. Paul is engaged to Mary but is treating her badly as he is lazy and also seeing other women. Violet does little and professes illness and fragility since being bereaved.

Philip Starr, a lawyer who is travelling from Boston to Burlington in Vermont, decides to take a break on his journey and happens upon Blanche. Here starts one romance while the on-off romance of Paul and Mary is a large part of the novel too.

It's a gentle novel with lovely descriptions of the river valley by the Green Mountains in Connecticut. An easy and pleasurable read.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mother’s favorite author. This book was copyrighted in 1931. Not one of her best books. I’ve read a lot of them. But it was good. Clean. Dependable. Safe.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was to read a book by one of my mother's favorite authors. Why my mom enjoyed Keyes so much I do not know. I'll read one more, but doubt I'll ever read any others.

[Jeanne Roberson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, simple read. Funny how much more complex and intense present-day books are and yet the simplicity was one of the aspects I loved about this book.

[Shawn Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming and entertaining.

[Kyra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, this is a book firmly rooted in its time and place. It's like reading Thornton Wilder. The characters are only beginning to live modern lives, but they face modern dilemmas, nonetheless: defining and recognizing love, becoming a person who can love and be loved. These are still important issues, with a timeless appeal. I was reminded of Jane Eyre, which at its heart is about two people learning how essential equality is to love.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

An old timey book.