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The Head of the House of Coombe #1
The Head of the House of Coombe
Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924), best known for The Secret Garden, A Little Princess, and Little Lord Fauntleroy, wrote this 1922 novel about a group of pre-WWI English nobles and commoners with some pointed political and social commentary. Her sequel, Robin, completes the story of Robin, Lord Coombe.
374 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1922
17 people are currently reading
512 people want to read
About the author
Frances Hodgson Burnett
1,478 books4,970 followersFrances Eliza Hodgson Burnett was a British-American novelist and playwright. She is best known for the three children's novels Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886), A Little Princess (1905), and The Secret Garden (1911).
Frances Eliza Hodgson was born in Cheetham, Manchester, England. After her father died in 1853, when Frances was 4 years old, the family fell on straitened circumstances and in 1865 emigrated to the United States, settling in New Market, Tennessee. Frances began her writing career there at age 19 to help earn money for the family, publishing stories in magazines. In 1870, her mother died. In Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1873 she married Swan M. Burnett, who became a medical doctor. Their first son Lionel was born a year later. The Burnetts lived for two years in Paris, where their second son Vivian was born, before returning to the United States to live in Washington, D.C. Burnett then began to write novels, the first of which (That Lass o' Lowrie's), was published to good reviews. Little Lord Fauntleroy was published in 1886 and made her a popular writer of children's fiction, although her romantic adult novels written in the 1890s were also popular. She wrote and helped to produce stage versions of Little Lord Fauntleroy and A Little Princess.
Beginning in the 1880s, Burnett began to travel to England frequently and in the 1890s bought a home there, where she wrote The Secret Garden. Her elder son, Lionel, died of tuberculosis in 1890, which caused a relapse of the depression she had struggled with for much of her life. She divorced Swan Burnett in 1898, married Stephen Townesend in 1900, and divorced him in 1902. A few years later she settled in Nassau County, New York, where she died in 1924 and is buried in Roslyn Cemetery.
In 1936, a memorial sculpture by Bessie Potter Vonnoh was erected in her honor in Central Park's Conservatory Garden. The statue depicts her two famous Secret Garden characters, Mary and Dickon.
Frances Eliza Hodgson was born in Cheetham, Manchester, England. After her father died in 1853, when Frances was 4 years old, the family fell on straitened circumstances and in 1865 emigrated to the United States, settling in New Market, Tennessee. Frances began her writing career there at age 19 to help earn money for the family, publishing stories in magazines. In 1870, her mother died. In Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1873 she married Swan M. Burnett, who became a medical doctor. Their first son Lionel was born a year later. The Burnetts lived for two years in Paris, where their second son Vivian was born, before returning to the United States to live in Washington, D.C. Burnett then began to write novels, the first of which (That Lass o' Lowrie's), was published to good reviews. Little Lord Fauntleroy was published in 1886 and made her a popular writer of children's fiction, although her romantic adult novels written in the 1890s were also popular. She wrote and helped to produce stage versions of Little Lord Fauntleroy and A Little Princess.
Beginning in the 1880s, Burnett began to travel to England frequently and in the 1890s bought a home there, where she wrote The Secret Garden. Her elder son, Lionel, died of tuberculosis in 1890, which caused a relapse of the depression she had struggled with for much of her life. She divorced Swan Burnett in 1898, married Stephen Townesend in 1900, and divorced him in 1902. A few years later she settled in Nassau County, New York, where she died in 1924 and is buried in Roslyn Cemetery.
In 1936, a memorial sculpture by Bessie Potter Vonnoh was erected in her honor in Central Park's Conservatory Garden. The statue depicts her two famous Secret Garden characters, Mary and Dickon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
September 8, 2016
Estupenda novela la de la escritora británica sobre todo porque, más allá de la típica trama victoriana como novela de formación de la protagonista, consiguió mezclarla con la situación histórica (los albores de la primera guerra mundial) dotándole de elementos propios de la novela de espías y policíaca. Espero que Alba se decida a publicar la segunda novela (Robin), continuación de ésta, tengo que reconocer que me he quedado con las ganas de terminar la historia.
February 23, 2019
Beautifully written scenes, subtle in their understanding of the workings of societies and psyches, and truly interesting characters. Also so "of its time" that it is sometimes hilarious, and such a perfect example of Burnett's style, that it is just a fascinating document all around.
March 2, 2009
Again...I can't believe this book is available for purchase! We live in an amazing age. My version, printed in 1922 (a first edition) practically fell apart as I read it.
Robin is born to a mother, Feather, who has no room in her life for a child. Robin is kept in the attic rooms of a house in London and is tended to by a servant who holds Robin's mouth shut and pinches her when she makes noise. By six years old, she doesn't know what a mother is, no less that she has one. On an excursion to the park one day, she meets Donal, a Scottish lad complete with a kilt and bonnet. Donal is Robin's first social contact outside her dreary life. At six, she is still in the attic with no toys, books, or love.
The Head of the House of Coombe follows Robin's life and the twists and turns it takes, until she is a young woman. At the end of my copy, there is an explanation that this books was a serial published in an English magazine. It was quite popular, and therefore decided that it should be made into 2 books. "Robin" is the sequel, and I have it in my library and will jump right into it.
Frances Hodgson Burnett, famous for The Secret Garden, wrote amazing adult novels as well as her children's books. Yes, they are written in the old style, but I've never been disappointed in any of the 20 out of 60 of her books that I've read.
Robin is born to a mother, Feather, who has no room in her life for a child. Robin is kept in the attic rooms of a house in London and is tended to by a servant who holds Robin's mouth shut and pinches her when she makes noise. By six years old, she doesn't know what a mother is, no less that she has one. On an excursion to the park one day, she meets Donal, a Scottish lad complete with a kilt and bonnet. Donal is Robin's first social contact outside her dreary life. At six, she is still in the attic with no toys, books, or love.
The Head of the House of Coombe follows Robin's life and the twists and turns it takes, until she is a young woman. At the end of my copy, there is an explanation that this books was a serial published in an English magazine. It was quite popular, and therefore decided that it should be made into 2 books. "Robin" is the sequel, and I have it in my library and will jump right into it.
Frances Hodgson Burnett, famous for The Secret Garden, wrote amazing adult novels as well as her children's books. Yes, they are written in the old style, but I've never been disappointed in any of the 20 out of 60 of her books that I've read.
March 12, 2014
This is a very weird book. Written in 1922 it's part romance, part social commentary and part political commentary. The sequel, Robin was written the same year. I think it's really one book published as two. I'll be reading Robin right away.
As a period piece it's really thought provoking. In 1922 this book was number 4 on the bestselling list and number 10 was Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis (who won the Nobel for literature).
Unfortunately, my kindle edition was full of OCR errors that really detracted from the reading experience.
As a period piece it's really thought provoking. In 1922 this book was number 4 on the bestselling list and number 10 was Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis (who won the Nobel for literature).
Unfortunately, my kindle edition was full of OCR errors that really detracted from the reading experience.
February 15, 2011
Frances Hodgson Burnett has her faults; I am the first to admit it. She can be sententious, foolishly sentimental, even tedious. But when you read one of her adult novels, you come away with a powerful sense of the world she was writing about; she's a one-woman Sociology of the Early Twentieth Century course.
The eponymous head of the House of Coombe is the Earl of Coombe who, early in the novel, mysteriously consents to pay the bills of the pretty, spiteful and wholly nitwitted Feather Gareth-Lawless, who has been left penniless on the death of her irresponsible husband Robert. The arrangement is a scandal to the respectable society of London, who assume, mistakenly, that the Earl is enjoying Feather's sexual favors. Feather and her friends are unconcerned about the rumors; the impact is felt most by little Robin, Feather's innocent, neglected daughter.
Robin is the real focus of the novel. Her neglected childhood, wicked nanny, and isolated existence are drawn in the bleakest colors. Luckily for the wretched Robin, young Donal (who happens to be the Earl's heir) briefly enters her life; he is a beacon of light, teaching 6-year-old Robin about kisses and mothers and picture books. But alas, Robin is tainted by her mother's scandalous life, and Donal's mother snatches Donal away from Robin, breaking her wee heart. Her obvious grief brings her to Lord Coombe's attention, and he begins to interest himself in her life.
This is a bit of a "sensation" novel; I loved the parts about the wicked German lusting after Robin's innocence as she struggles to support herself. Robin herself is a clear portrait of the schizophrenic view of women in this pre-WWI time period: she rockets back and forth from utter passivity to fierce assertiveness between lunch and dinner, with hardly a moment to rest between moods. Whatever. I loved it. There is a sequel ("Robin"), and there is no sense reading one without the other; they were originally one novel, appearing in serial form.
The eponymous head of the House of Coombe is the Earl of Coombe who, early in the novel, mysteriously consents to pay the bills of the pretty, spiteful and wholly nitwitted Feather Gareth-Lawless, who has been left penniless on the death of her irresponsible husband Robert. The arrangement is a scandal to the respectable society of London, who assume, mistakenly, that the Earl is enjoying Feather's sexual favors. Feather and her friends are unconcerned about the rumors; the impact is felt most by little Robin, Feather's innocent, neglected daughter.
Robin is the real focus of the novel. Her neglected childhood, wicked nanny, and isolated existence are drawn in the bleakest colors. Luckily for the wretched Robin, young Donal (who happens to be the Earl's heir) briefly enters her life; he is a beacon of light, teaching 6-year-old Robin about kisses and mothers and picture books. But alas, Robin is tainted by her mother's scandalous life, and Donal's mother snatches Donal away from Robin, breaking her wee heart. Her obvious grief brings her to Lord Coombe's attention, and he begins to interest himself in her life.
This is a bit of a "sensation" novel; I loved the parts about the wicked German lusting after Robin's innocence as she struggles to support herself. Robin herself is a clear portrait of the schizophrenic view of women in this pre-WWI time period: she rockets back and forth from utter passivity to fierce assertiveness between lunch and dinner, with hardly a moment to rest between moods. Whatever. I loved it. There is a sequel ("Robin"), and there is no sense reading one without the other; they were originally one novel, appearing in serial form.
March 17, 2012
This novel was originally published as a serial, and then, when printed in book form, in two volumes. This is volume 1. Volume 2 is "Robin".
My first impression was that this was "A Little Princess" for grownups. There is much more fleshing out of adult characters in this saga of a neglected child and they are more complicated. Burnett's observations about pre-WWI London society are intriguing and woven pretty seamlessly into the narrative. You will find the reading much more interesting if you are familiar with late 19th and early 20th century European history as a number of historical events are referred to obliquely and you might miss what she's talking about if you are not. Burnett does, by 21st century standards, occasionally go a little bit overboard in narrating a child's emotional response, but such things were de rigour in this genre at the time it was written and if you understand that, it's not annoying.
It was good enough that I got volume 2 and read that too.
My first impression was that this was "A Little Princess" for grownups. There is much more fleshing out of adult characters in this saga of a neglected child and they are more complicated. Burnett's observations about pre-WWI London society are intriguing and woven pretty seamlessly into the narrative. You will find the reading much more interesting if you are familiar with late 19th and early 20th century European history as a number of historical events are referred to obliquely and you might miss what she's talking about if you are not. Burnett does, by 21st century standards, occasionally go a little bit overboard in narrating a child's emotional response, but such things were de rigour in this genre at the time it was written and if you understand that, it's not annoying.
It was good enough that I got volume 2 and read that too.
June 27, 2014
Finished reading Head of the House of Coombe by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I knew her from The Secret Garden, Little Lord Fauntleroy, and The Little Princess. Can't count the number of times I've reread The Little Princess. I was so pleased to find that she wrote many more books, and they are all free for Kindle. Coombe was originally a longer book, but her publishers made her cut it into two parts, and this book is Part One, ending with the assassination of the Archduke at Sarajevo. The main characters are young and in love and have no idea what is coming. Need to read the sequel, called Robin, to find out what happens and hope for a happy ending. Don't know that I'll get it. WWI was pretty rough on the young men who served. May be a bittersweet ending.
May 4, 2016
Delightful classic full of twists and turns but with a happy ending.
September 5, 2016
Me ha encantado y he quedado con ganas de leer la segunda parte, Robin. Espero que Alba la publique pronto.
December 28, 2023
Alba Editorial, no publicar la segunda parte es ser mala gente.
March 5, 2017
Esta es una de las novelas (desconocidas) que Frances Hodgson Burnett escribió para un público adulto. Muchos lectores solo conocen "El jardín secreto", "La princesita" o "El pequeño Lord", pero lo cierto es que la autora escribió cerca de 30 novelas ahondando en el tema de las clases sociales, la belleza, la buena educación, la inocencia y la crueldad humana.
El señor de la casa de Coombe fue publicado en su época como parte de una serie de dos volúmenes, siendo este libro el primero y su continuación titulada "Robin" (que espero que la editorial publique muy pronto) el segundo.
La trama del libro narra la misteriosa conducta de Coombe, un señor a la moda, culto y del que se cuentan cosas perversas en un contexto ambiguo, al hacerse cargo de los gastos de una viuda joven, Pluma, que ha quedado endeudada por la falta de previsión de su descocado marido y la despiadada actitud de ésta hacia su pequeña hija, Robin.
Robin es el centro de la trama. Su desdichada niñez al lado de una niñera aborrecible y la falta de afecto maternal con la que crece. Sin embargo es su inexplicable odio hacia el Señor Coombe lo que resume al final la decepción con la que mira al mundo. Pero es el personaje de Coombe el que se roba ese protagonismo con todo ese aire de misterio y arrogancia. Tan bien desarrollado está su personaje que uno no sabría decir en la primera mitad del libro los motivos o la verdadera personalidad de este hombre.
Exquisitamente escrita y con una traducción impecable, con expresiones y actitudes propias de la época que hacen verdaderamente una delicia de leer, la novela hace una alusión política a la tragedia que se avecinaba, La I Guerra Mundial y los entramajes de espías alemanes que pululaban por Inglaterra. La disparidad de las clases sociales y su desdén hacia las personas que no cumplían con las reglas de conducta de la época acorralándolas al ostracismo socialmente, pero es quizás el sentimentalismo de la autora sobre la inocencia humana y su progresiva muerte, lo que vendría siendo una parte intrínseca de la historia.
Espero que pronto publiquen la segunda parte y podamos conocer cómo termina la historia de Robin, la que vendría siendo la última novela escrita por la autora. Como dato curioso este libro ocupó el puesto número cuatro en la lista Bestseller del año 1922 según Publishers Weekly.
El señor de la casa de Coombe fue publicado en su época como parte de una serie de dos volúmenes, siendo este libro el primero y su continuación titulada "Robin" (que espero que la editorial publique muy pronto) el segundo.
La trama del libro narra la misteriosa conducta de Coombe, un señor a la moda, culto y del que se cuentan cosas perversas en un contexto ambiguo, al hacerse cargo de los gastos de una viuda joven, Pluma, que ha quedado endeudada por la falta de previsión de su descocado marido y la despiadada actitud de ésta hacia su pequeña hija, Robin.
Robin es el centro de la trama. Su desdichada niñez al lado de una niñera aborrecible y la falta de afecto maternal con la que crece. Sin embargo es su inexplicable odio hacia el Señor Coombe lo que resume al final la decepción con la que mira al mundo. Pero es el personaje de Coombe el que se roba ese protagonismo con todo ese aire de misterio y arrogancia. Tan bien desarrollado está su personaje que uno no sabría decir en la primera mitad del libro los motivos o la verdadera personalidad de este hombre.
Exquisitamente escrita y con una traducción impecable, con expresiones y actitudes propias de la época que hacen verdaderamente una delicia de leer, la novela hace una alusión política a la tragedia que se avecinaba, La I Guerra Mundial y los entramajes de espías alemanes que pululaban por Inglaterra. La disparidad de las clases sociales y su desdén hacia las personas que no cumplían con las reglas de conducta de la época acorralándolas al ostracismo socialmente, pero es quizás el sentimentalismo de la autora sobre la inocencia humana y su progresiva muerte, lo que vendría siendo una parte intrínseca de la historia.
Espero que pronto publiquen la segunda parte y podamos conocer cómo termina la historia de Robin, la que vendría siendo la última novela escrita por la autora. Como dato curioso este libro ocupó el puesto número cuatro en la lista Bestseller del año 1922 según Publishers Weekly.
November 22, 2022
Man, I really hate this book. I started the second book in the series--Robin--but I don't think I'll finish it, because of the writing and the content.
This is a story about a beautiful and flighty woman nicknamed Feather who is left destitute when her husband dies. The author presents Feather in a terrible light--and she is an awful mother--but I felt sympathy for Feather. This is a woman raised in a patriarchal culture who was not equipped by any of the men in her life (her father or her husband) to provide for herself in their absence.
Out of desperation, Feather allows a wealthy man (the eponymous protagonist) to pay for her bills. Everyone assumes she is giving him sexual favors (even though she isn't), and so she is somewhat shunned by polite society. This burden falls heaviest on her daughter Robin, who is alienated from other children because of the blight on her mother's reputation.
There were SO many things that bothered me about this book. It felt EXTREMELY naive and juvenile. I've read many of Frances Hodgson Burnett's books for children, and even though this book is supposed to be for adults, it didn't feel that way. I also know this isn't a product of the times, because Jane Austen wrote a century before Burnett and her books don't have this sickly sweet veneer.
Burnett also has a bizarre obsession with beauty that almost veered into the territory of white supremacy and eugenics, which is extremely ironic considering the ridiculously over-the-top portrayal of an evil German officer who lusts after Robin.
There are also many, many disturbing descriptions of children that seemed pedophiliac to me. Gosh, I hope this isn't the way Burnett meant it, but when you have a male character comment on the attractiveness of children THAT CAN'T NOT BE CREEPY!!!
I don't think I can ever go back to these kind of romances after reading all the wonderful romance novels written now. I keep wondering, where are the minority characters? Oh, right. IGNORED. Where are the gay characters? Oh, right. Persecuted and in the closet.
This book just left me with a terribly icky feeling all around. Blech.
This is a story about a beautiful and flighty woman nicknamed Feather who is left destitute when her husband dies. The author presents Feather in a terrible light--and she is an awful mother--but I felt sympathy for Feather. This is a woman raised in a patriarchal culture who was not equipped by any of the men in her life (her father or her husband) to provide for herself in their absence.
Out of desperation, Feather allows a wealthy man (the eponymous protagonist) to pay for her bills. Everyone assumes she is giving him sexual favors (even though she isn't), and so she is somewhat shunned by polite society. This burden falls heaviest on her daughter Robin, who is alienated from other children because of the blight on her mother's reputation.
There were SO many things that bothered me about this book. It felt EXTREMELY naive and juvenile. I've read many of Frances Hodgson Burnett's books for children, and even though this book is supposed to be for adults, it didn't feel that way. I also know this isn't a product of the times, because Jane Austen wrote a century before Burnett and her books don't have this sickly sweet veneer.
Burnett also has a bizarre obsession with beauty that almost veered into the territory of white supremacy and eugenics, which is extremely ironic considering the ridiculously over-the-top portrayal of an evil German officer who lusts after Robin.
There are also many, many disturbing descriptions of children that seemed pedophiliac to me. Gosh, I hope this isn't the way Burnett meant it, but when you have a male character comment on the attractiveness of children THAT CAN'T NOT BE CREEPY!!!
I don't think I can ever go back to these kind of romances after reading all the wonderful romance novels written now. I keep wondering, where are the minority characters? Oh, right. IGNORED. Where are the gay characters? Oh, right. Persecuted and in the closet.
This book just left me with a terribly icky feeling all around. Blech.
November 15, 2023
"En el esplendoroso salón del baile la música subía de volumen, bajaba y volvía a henchirse hasta el éxtasis, mientras él ceñía con su brazo el cuerpo liviano, joven, blanco de Robin y juntos se mecieron, giraron y avanzaron veloces como seres del aire, mientras la anciana duquesa y lord Coombe contemplaban la escena casi sin ver y con murmullos hablaban de Sarajevo."
El señor de la casa de Coombe, (The Head of the House of Coombe) 1922
Frances Hodgson Burnett
@albaeditorial
Traducción Concha Cardeñoso Sáenz de Miera e Inés Beláustegui
🏫Tras la muerte de su esposo, la bella, inútil y despiadada" Pluma " se queda abandonada en su casa de Londres, con una niña, supuestamente a su cargo y sin ningún tipo de ingreso.
🏫Robin, la niña a la que su madre se refiere como una calamidad, vive apartada de la intensa vida social que se reanuda enseguida bajo la protección del misterioso lord Coombe.
🏫Robin crece y siempre bajo la supervisión de lord Coombe tendrá cuidadora e institutriz responsables y eficientes y forjará un fuerte vínculo con un niño que conoce casualmente en el parque, pero que pronto desaparece de su vida.
🏫Mientras tanto, Europa parece abocada a una guerra y en Reino Unido se detectan incursiones de espías alemanes.
Frances Hodgson Burnett plantea una trama interesante que da un vuelco inesperado, como ya hizo en La formación de una marquesa.
Inicialmente se publicó conjuntamente con "Robin", donde continúa la historia de nuestra protagonista y que tendremos que leer en su versión original inglesa, ya que no está traducida.
La hemos leído y comentado en #lecturasconjuntasraquellectora
#elseñordelacasadecoombe #franceshogdsonburnett #theheadofthehouseofcoombe #leeresvivir #leermola #leoautoras #leoclásicos #britishclassic
El señor de la casa de Coombe, (The Head of the House of Coombe) 1922
Frances Hodgson Burnett
@albaeditorial
Traducción Concha Cardeñoso Sáenz de Miera e Inés Beláustegui
🏫Tras la muerte de su esposo, la bella, inútil y despiadada" Pluma " se queda abandonada en su casa de Londres, con una niña, supuestamente a su cargo y sin ningún tipo de ingreso.
🏫Robin, la niña a la que su madre se refiere como una calamidad, vive apartada de la intensa vida social que se reanuda enseguida bajo la protección del misterioso lord Coombe.
🏫Robin crece y siempre bajo la supervisión de lord Coombe tendrá cuidadora e institutriz responsables y eficientes y forjará un fuerte vínculo con un niño que conoce casualmente en el parque, pero que pronto desaparece de su vida.
🏫Mientras tanto, Europa parece abocada a una guerra y en Reino Unido se detectan incursiones de espías alemanes.
Frances Hodgson Burnett plantea una trama interesante que da un vuelco inesperado, como ya hizo en La formación de una marquesa.
Inicialmente se publicó conjuntamente con "Robin", donde continúa la historia de nuestra protagonista y que tendremos que leer en su versión original inglesa, ya que no está traducida.
La hemos leído y comentado en #lecturasconjuntasraquellectora
#elseñordelacasadecoombe #franceshogdsonburnett #theheadofthehouseofcoombe #leeresvivir #leermola #leoautoras #leoclásicos #britishclassic
August 11, 2022
Una o dos veces al mes me gusta escoger mi próxima lectua entre son los libros que llevan más tiempo en mi pila de pendientes. Compré "El señor de la casa Coombe" cuando lo públicó Alba en 2016. Me enteré de que había una segunda parte y esperé a que estuviera en español para leerlos del tirón. Esa traducción nunca llegó. Así que desempolvé mi libro electrónico y gracias a Proyecto Guttenberg puede disfrutar de la obra completa.
Estas novelas nos cuentan la historia de Robin, una niña que crece sin ninguna muestra de atención ni cariño en el ático de una casa en una calle de moda londinense. Ni siquiera sabe que la elegante señora que vive en el piso de abajo es su madre. Un encuentro fortuito en el que la niña recibe sus primeras muestras de cariño y Lord Coombe cambian la vida de Robin para siempre.
"Vale la pena mirar a los gorriones si vives en un cuarto en el que nunca pasa nada y en el que, si te asomas a la ventana, estás tan arriba que no es fácil ver a la gente del mundo de abajo, y que además casi siempre parece que está lloviendo. Robin veía a los pajaritos saltar por los tejados de pizarra de las casas de enfrente. Movían las alas, cogían briznas de paja con el pico y se las llevaban. Pensaba que cada cual tendría su casa entre las chimeneas: en sitios que ella no alcanzaba a ver"
A veces lo bueno se hace esperar y no sabéis lo mucho que he disfrutado de esta novela de personajes, magníficamente construídos. Burnett sabe dosificar la información de modo que consigue crear un misterio en torno a Lord Coombe que me mantuvo pegada a las páginas del libro . En la novela asistimos al final de la Era Victoriana y la entrada en el siglo XX. Del cambio de valores que eso supuso. Vemos a Robin crecer, anhelar una vida de independencia, imposible sólo unos pocos años antes, y el estallido de la Gran Guerra. El segundo libro es triste, ya que la autora no escatima en contarnos la crudeza de la guerra. Pero en el que también asistimos a una preciosa historia de amor.
Estas novelas nos cuentan la historia de Robin, una niña que crece sin ninguna muestra de atención ni cariño en el ático de una casa en una calle de moda londinense. Ni siquiera sabe que la elegante señora que vive en el piso de abajo es su madre. Un encuentro fortuito en el que la niña recibe sus primeras muestras de cariño y Lord Coombe cambian la vida de Robin para siempre.
"Vale la pena mirar a los gorriones si vives en un cuarto en el que nunca pasa nada y en el que, si te asomas a la ventana, estás tan arriba que no es fácil ver a la gente del mundo de abajo, y que además casi siempre parece que está lloviendo. Robin veía a los pajaritos saltar por los tejados de pizarra de las casas de enfrente. Movían las alas, cogían briznas de paja con el pico y se las llevaban. Pensaba que cada cual tendría su casa entre las chimeneas: en sitios que ella no alcanzaba a ver"
A veces lo bueno se hace esperar y no sabéis lo mucho que he disfrutado de esta novela de personajes, magníficamente construídos. Burnett sabe dosificar la información de modo que consigue crear un misterio en torno a Lord Coombe que me mantuvo pegada a las páginas del libro . En la novela asistimos al final de la Era Victoriana y la entrada en el siglo XX. Del cambio de valores que eso supuso. Vemos a Robin crecer, anhelar una vida de independencia, imposible sólo unos pocos años antes, y el estallido de la Gran Guerra. El segundo libro es triste, ya que la autora no escatima en contarnos la crudeza de la guerra. Pero en el que también asistimos a una preciosa historia de amor.
December 30, 2023
I had no idea the author of The Secret Garden which I'd read when I was in high school could write an in-depth observation of human nature when it comes to mothers and daughters especially when the mother simply doesn't want to be one,resulting in the child being left entirely unloved and attended to with the barest minimum of effort as a human. Feather, the appropriately named mother is a feather headed widow of a respectable but very poor man who dies very young, leaving her desolate and completely unprepared for reality and living in London. She has a baby before he died, but is entirely a failure at being a parent or caregiver of any sort, and only when Lord Coombe, a peculiar admirer of her (of sorts - he's fascinated by her nature and looks but is definitely not in love with her in any way) takes over Feather's destitute future does her daughter Robin get the basic attention a child requires - food and clothes. But no love.
She grows up loving her nanny and her French governess deeply but not her mother - and this novel deal with how she grows up in such a peculiar condition with no one to love or loving her as any human needs, except for a ten year old boy she met briefly when she's a wee six year old. He's taken away by his mother from London because she doesn't want him to be associated with someone of Feather's repute, indirectly...
Heart wrenching in parts, easy to read and the author's keen observation of young children and the thoughts that over take them are great to read.
She grows up loving her nanny and her French governess deeply but not her mother - and this novel deal with how she grows up in such a peculiar condition with no one to love or loving her as any human needs, except for a ten year old boy she met briefly when she's a wee six year old. He's taken away by his mother from London because she doesn't want him to be associated with someone of Feather's repute, indirectly...
Heart wrenching in parts, easy to read and the author's keen observation of young children and the thoughts that over take them are great to read.
September 7, 2019
This novel is both an archetypal example of Frances Hodgson Burnett's adult novels and also something a bit different. She takes a bath in her joyful use of the familiar tropes - wasting illness when separated from a loved one, rags to riches between class and caste and spiritualism in the form of communicating with the dead or those not present. I have seen her opine on these themes more in her short stories than her novels but in this, part one of what was perhaps her last novel, she mines the vein deeply. Meanwhile, something that makes this novel quite different though is the very raw and real accounts of WWI London which were, even today and with all we know, shocking in some ways. Perhaps because of the nearness of the events.
I have devoted a proper blog post to the review of it. The first part, devoted to The Head of the House of Coombe can be found at: https://pams-pictorama.com/2019/09/07...
I will post one on the second half of the novel, Robin, tomorrow which covers more of the war. Earlier posts on her novels and short stories can be found by searching my blog at Pams-Pictorama.com. Enjoy!
I have devoted a proper blog post to the review of it. The first part, devoted to The Head of the House of Coombe can be found at: https://pams-pictorama.com/2019/09/07...
I will post one on the second half of the novel, Robin, tomorrow which covers more of the war. Earlier posts on her novels and short stories can be found by searching my blog at Pams-Pictorama.com. Enjoy!
January 30, 2026
Ésta es la última novela de Frances Hodgson Burnett que se ha traducido al español, así que se puede decir que ya he leído toda la obra de ella (al menos disponible en español). Mi conclusión es simple: Frances Hodgson Burnett es una de mis escritoras favoritas, una genio que con un estilo delicado pero entretenido supo retratar con dulzura la realidad de la burguesía inglesa y desentrañó la psicología y las emociones infantiles como únicamente Dickens lo había logrado antes.
Esta novela, en concreto, narra toda la vida de Robin, una niña marcada por una madre emocionalmente ausente y una crianza sin amor, lo que la lleva a encontrar en el pequeño Donal un ancla para mantenerse cuerda en una sociedad que la ignora. La única crítica negativa que tengo de esta obra es que no desarrolla por completo a personajes como Lord Coombe y Pluma, además de añadir una subtrama con alemanes que no aporta nada a la trama de Robin.
Fuera de eso, "El señor de la casa de Coombe" es otro ejemplo de genialidad de la maestra Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Esta novela, en concreto, narra toda la vida de Robin, una niña marcada por una madre emocionalmente ausente y una crianza sin amor, lo que la lleva a encontrar en el pequeño Donal un ancla para mantenerse cuerda en una sociedad que la ignora. La única crítica negativa que tengo de esta obra es que no desarrolla por completo a personajes como Lord Coombe y Pluma, además de añadir una subtrama con alemanes que no aporta nada a la trama de Robin.
Fuera de eso, "El señor de la casa de Coombe" es otro ejemplo de genialidad de la maestra Frances Hodgson Burnett.
August 10, 2018
The story is set in England during the transition from the Victorian Era to the Edwardian Era. So expect lots of talk like, "You won't find anyone like that anymore," and "What is with the women these days wanting to get a job and support themselves? That's just crazy!" We follow the life of young Robin and her horrible, terrible, abusive childhood all thanks to Grace Gareth-Lawless, the most despicable character ever written. It's not that Grace is overtly evil so much as she's simply a complete failure as a human being. #IHateGrace.
As Robin ages up to late teens, we're building up steam up for World War I. There are German spies everywhere and, oh no!, part of their nefarious plans involve innocent Robin. Will Robin be rescued from the detestable Huns? Will she ever have a cordial relationship with Lord Coombe? Will Robin ever find love? Read the book, and then read the sequel (which I have no plans on doing).
As Robin ages up to late teens, we're building up steam up for World War I. There are German spies everywhere and, oh no!, part of their nefarious plans involve innocent Robin. Will Robin be rescued from the detestable Huns? Will she ever have a cordial relationship with Lord Coombe? Will Robin ever find love? Read the book, and then read the sequel (which I have no plans on doing).
July 18, 2023
A great story wrapped up in too much old-fashioned class system
I feel like the author said, what if a strickingly beautiful child, Robin, had a careless, selfish strikingly beautiful mother, and took her story from there. If she had stuck to telling that story, it would have been a better novel. She wanted to talk about the lead up to World War 1, which seemed pasted on, the impact of the sins of adults on children, and the class system, which you felt she did believe in, especially for beautiful good people.
Of course, if she stripped all that away, it would be a children's story. The Little Princess without the loving father.
I will read the sequel because I have to find out what happened to Robin. It is compelling despite the flaws!
I feel like the author said, what if a strickingly beautiful child, Robin, had a careless, selfish strikingly beautiful mother, and took her story from there. If she had stuck to telling that story, it would have been a better novel. She wanted to talk about the lead up to World War 1, which seemed pasted on, the impact of the sins of adults on children, and the class system, which you felt she did believe in, especially for beautiful good people.
Of course, if she stripped all that away, it would be a children's story. The Little Princess without the loving father.
I will read the sequel because I have to find out what happened to Robin. It is compelling despite the flaws!
April 22, 2024
I had no idea until discovering this book that despite being so well-known for her children's books, most of Burnett's books were written for adults. Because of that, I did not know what to expect of this book. It is a little coming-of-age in the early 1900s, a time of change for London after the death of Queen Victoria. There are looser morals, and everyone feels the times are changing, but not enough people are paying attention to what is happening in Europe. Burnett has a lot of political critique in this pre-World War I story that ends at the time of the assassination in Serbia. I'm definitely going to try to find part two of this book. It kept me reading in part because I didn't know where anything was going or what type of book it was trying to be.
September 21, 2025
The book's beginning is quite...science-fiction-ish... so I was a bit confused when it was not.
It was both awful, and lovely. The awful - abuse, narcissism, kindle typos, and some weird random moments.
The lovely - capturing of human character and emotion, unflinching from portraying abuse, and Coombe himself is an interesting character. I actually enjoyed some of the characters, but perhaps felt that Feather could take a tumble down the stairs and no one would miss her. Or the first nanny. She could use a sharp adjustment to her spinal column.
The ending was quite abrupt. It felt like many events were about to unfold and then... the end!
It was both awful, and lovely. The awful - abuse, narcissism, kindle typos, and some weird random moments.
The lovely - capturing of human character and emotion, unflinching from portraying abuse, and Coombe himself is an interesting character. I actually enjoyed some of the characters, but perhaps felt that Feather could take a tumble down the stairs and no one would miss her. Or the first nanny. She could use a sharp adjustment to her spinal column.
The ending was quite abrupt. It felt like many events were about to unfold and then... the end!
February 13, 2018
Che dire? Una scrittrice come la Burnett si lascia dietro di molte leghe qualunque moderna autrice di bestseller, da questa o dall'altra sponda dell'Atlantico. Ho amato soprattutto la descrizione dell'incontro tra i due bambini, posso dire di averli visti con i miei occhi. Mi sono immediatamente procurata il seguito della storia, 'Robin'.
September 23, 2020
Beautifully written, if occasionally florid. The prose dates to the period: I have no trouble with that, in fact, I find it adds to the breadth and depth of the characters, and highlights the historical significance of the milieu in which it takes place. Be prepared to read Part 2, "My Robin", which, at least from Amazon, is a separate book.
July 26, 2019
Parts I loved, parts I hated, not much in between. I felt the same way about her children's books. Something about her writing satisfies me but also makes me deeply uneasy. I think our worldviews clash.
December 12, 2019
Masterful, somber and sympathetic.
February 16, 2022
Comença amb una trama de thriller però després decau en un fullet costumista d'època.
August 12, 2021
"By the way, somebody important has been assassinated in one of the Balkan countries."
I did not especially enjoy this, although it was fairly compelling. I was expecting a light-hearted novel focusing on a well-bred gentleman of dubious moral character, but instead, I was presented with a story of child abuse. Although once the aforementioned gentleman takes an interest in the child, things start to look up for her, and the story becomes a little more cheerful. Information on the titular character is somewhat scattered throughout the book. Set against the backdrop of the run-up to WWI (and clearly written not too long after that war) the discussions of impending doom can become a little tedious.
I did not especially enjoy this, although it was fairly compelling. I was expecting a light-hearted novel focusing on a well-bred gentleman of dubious moral character, but instead, I was presented with a story of child abuse. Although once the aforementioned gentleman takes an interest in the child, things start to look up for her, and the story becomes a little more cheerful. Information on the titular character is somewhat scattered throughout the book. Set against the backdrop of the run-up to WWI (and clearly written not too long after that war) the discussions of impending doom can become a little tedious.
October 9, 2022
Como sabrán Frances Hodgson Burnett es la escritora de libros como La princesita y El jardín secreto, clásicas de la literatura clásica infantil muy famosos pero la autora tiene muchas otras novelas y éste del que les hablaré el día de hoy tiene las mismas cualidades pero la autora lo lleva a un nivel adulto para contar una historia más compleja que incluso hace referencia a los eventos que desencadenaron la primera guerra mundial.
El libro comienza contando la historia de como Amabel, la hija de un médico rural que constantemente está soñando con casarse con un joven galante que la saque del aburrimiento del pequeño pueblo en que vive, pero terminará casándose, si con un guapo hombre sobrino de un lord que al final no heredará nada. Así que la pareja se las ingeniará para vivir de prestado para mantener el elegante estilo de vida lleno de fiestas y excesos hasta que la providencia los bendice con una hija llamada Robin, lo cual hace totalmente infeliz a Amabel porque no concibe la idea de tener que dejar su divertida vida de lado para convertirse en madre así que después del alumbramiento decide dejar a su hija a cargo de una malvada niñera y aunque Robin tiene buena ropa y comida crecerá un un cuarto deprimente sin siquiera saber quien es su madre y mucho menos entender lo que es el amor.
Es esposo de Amabel morirá repentinamente dejando a la mujer y a Robin sin un centavo para vivir así que es su desesperación Amabel recurrirá a uno de sus ricos admiradores el marqués de Coombe, un hombre conocido por su gran intelecto, su impecable gusto para vestir y su fama de soltero empedernido, así que será todo un escándalo cuando la sociedad de Mayfair se entere de la nueva situación de cuasi amante de Amabel. El marqués está con Amabel porque es muy bella pero a veces le sobrepasa su banalidad y egoísmo, pero otra cosa será descubrir en las malas condiciones en que mantiene a su hija, alejada del mundo y sin dedicarle ni una pizca de amor. Así que Coombe se interesará por ayudar a Robin, a pesar de que la niña lo odia.
El libro es muy descriptivo y agarra vuelo a la hora de contar el contexto de una familia, un contexto político, o con la personalidad de alguno de sus personajes así que al principio se siento algo denso y confuso pero en lo personal yo empecé a disfrutar mucho con la forma en que la autora se toma su tiempo. Además de que logra ser muy evocadora y romántica, destaca mucho por su sentimentalismo (cursi sin que llegue a empalagar de mala forma) y también se toma su tiempo para describir a nuestra delicada protagonista y contrastar con el cambio que tiene cuando se empieza a liberar del encierro.
Veremos como Robin empieza a aprender del mundo, aprenderá a sobrellevar los maltratos y celos de su madre pero la novela también tiene su lado oscuro con el personaje del marqués, porque a veces no sabes cuales son las verdaderas intenciones de su interés por Robin. No sabes si los celos de la madre es porque siente que el marqués la cambiará por Robin y no sabes cual de los destinos es el peor para la niña.
El libro me ha encantado, disfruté mucho con los largo diálogos y las muchas referencias históricas y la historia de Robin me pareció encantadora, lo malo es que esta se trata de la primera parte de una bilogía, así que el libro te deja con la duda al final y la segunda parte aún no se encuentra publicada en español. Si hay un desenlace pero te quedas con ganas de más y es un poco frustrante saber que la única forma de leerlo es inglés ya que creo que sí sería un libro un poco difícil de leer en este idioma por lo que les comento del estilo narrativo algo denso de Frances en estos libros. Por si te preguntas la segunda parte se llama Robin y les dejaré por aquí la portada, espero que la gente de Alba tenga planes de publicarla pronto.
El libro comienza contando la historia de como Amabel, la hija de un médico rural que constantemente está soñando con casarse con un joven galante que la saque del aburrimiento del pequeño pueblo en que vive, pero terminará casándose, si con un guapo hombre sobrino de un lord que al final no heredará nada. Así que la pareja se las ingeniará para vivir de prestado para mantener el elegante estilo de vida lleno de fiestas y excesos hasta que la providencia los bendice con una hija llamada Robin, lo cual hace totalmente infeliz a Amabel porque no concibe la idea de tener que dejar su divertida vida de lado para convertirse en madre así que después del alumbramiento decide dejar a su hija a cargo de una malvada niñera y aunque Robin tiene buena ropa y comida crecerá un un cuarto deprimente sin siquiera saber quien es su madre y mucho menos entender lo que es el amor.
Es esposo de Amabel morirá repentinamente dejando a la mujer y a Robin sin un centavo para vivir así que es su desesperación Amabel recurrirá a uno de sus ricos admiradores el marqués de Coombe, un hombre conocido por su gran intelecto, su impecable gusto para vestir y su fama de soltero empedernido, así que será todo un escándalo cuando la sociedad de Mayfair se entere de la nueva situación de cuasi amante de Amabel. El marqués está con Amabel porque es muy bella pero a veces le sobrepasa su banalidad y egoísmo, pero otra cosa será descubrir en las malas condiciones en que mantiene a su hija, alejada del mundo y sin dedicarle ni una pizca de amor. Así que Coombe se interesará por ayudar a Robin, a pesar de que la niña lo odia.
El libro es muy descriptivo y agarra vuelo a la hora de contar el contexto de una familia, un contexto político, o con la personalidad de alguno de sus personajes así que al principio se siento algo denso y confuso pero en lo personal yo empecé a disfrutar mucho con la forma en que la autora se toma su tiempo. Además de que logra ser muy evocadora y romántica, destaca mucho por su sentimentalismo (cursi sin que llegue a empalagar de mala forma) y también se toma su tiempo para describir a nuestra delicada protagonista y contrastar con el cambio que tiene cuando se empieza a liberar del encierro.
Veremos como Robin empieza a aprender del mundo, aprenderá a sobrellevar los maltratos y celos de su madre pero la novela también tiene su lado oscuro con el personaje del marqués, porque a veces no sabes cuales son las verdaderas intenciones de su interés por Robin. No sabes si los celos de la madre es porque siente que el marqués la cambiará por Robin y no sabes cual de los destinos es el peor para la niña.
El libro me ha encantado, disfruté mucho con los largo diálogos y las muchas referencias históricas y la historia de Robin me pareció encantadora, lo malo es que esta se trata de la primera parte de una bilogía, así que el libro te deja con la duda al final y la segunda parte aún no se encuentra publicada en español. Si hay un desenlace pero te quedas con ganas de más y es un poco frustrante saber que la única forma de leerlo es inglés ya que creo que sí sería un libro un poco difícil de leer en este idioma por lo que les comento del estilo narrativo algo denso de Frances en estos libros. Por si te preguntas la segunda parte se llama Robin y les dejaré por aquí la portada, espero que la gente de Alba tenga planes de publicarla pronto.
May 21, 2017
This novel follows the relationships between a group of pre–World War One English nobles and commoners. It also offers editorial commentary on the political system in prewar Europe that Burnett feels bears some responsibility for the war and some pointed social commentary which is a hallmark of all Burnett's work.
Lord Coombe is considered to be the best-dressed man in London. He is also a man whose public reputation, despite his formidable intellect and observant eye, is one of unmitigated wickedness. During one of his social forays, he meets a selfish young woman named 'Feather' with the face of an angel. Fascinated by her, he slowly drifts into her circle. When her husband dies unexpectedly, leaving her alone and desolate in London, he ends up taking her under his wing.
Feather has a daughter named Robin, of whom she takes little notice. She treats Robin with shocking neglect and once Coombe takes over responsibility for the household's finances, Feather readily abandons poor Robin to the less-than-kindly ministrations of her nurse. In fact, Robin doesn't even know Feather is her mother for her first six years, calling her 'The Lady Downstairs'. Robin also hates Coombe, having heard a conversation that blamed him for the loss of her first friend. This was a little boy named Donal who was in fact Coombe's heir. Donal's mother disapproves both of Coombe and Feather and when she discovers that her son has been playing with Robin, she whisks him away, leaving Robin heartbroken. However, Coombe does not return this dislike and in fact makes a point of serving as her guardian, albeit without Robin's knowledge. As Robin grows, he builds her a set of rooms, engages a loving nurse for her, and eventually secures a reputable governess for her. While her mother continues to behave with the selfish freedom of a wanton child.
As Robin grows, she becomes a lovely and intelligent though innocent, girl. Feather's circle includes some unsavory characters, one of whom, a German nobleman, tries to make Robin into his plaything. This caricature of Imperial German stereotypes uses Robin's desire to support herself to trap her in a house of ill repute. His plan fails mainly through the actions of Coombe, but the after-effects leave Robin crushed.
One of Coombe's few true confidants is a dowager Duchess - a woman of both great intellect and great understanding who has recently lost her long-time lady companion. After Robin's experiences with the German, Coombe suggests Robin as a suitable replacement. The Duchess is the one person who knows the secret of Coombe's determination to watch over Robin and why he is willing to tolerate the activities of her mother. This secret is finally communicated to the reader as well during one of Coombe's talks with the Duchess. The Duchess does indeed take in Robin and befriends her. Robin is introduced to the Duchess' children and their friends and finally sponsors a small dance for Robin. At the dance, Robin meets Donal again as Coombe and the Duchess learn that an Austrian Archduke has just been assassinated in Serbia.
Lord Coombe is considered to be the best-dressed man in London. He is also a man whose public reputation, despite his formidable intellect and observant eye, is one of unmitigated wickedness. During one of his social forays, he meets a selfish young woman named 'Feather' with the face of an angel. Fascinated by her, he slowly drifts into her circle. When her husband dies unexpectedly, leaving her alone and desolate in London, he ends up taking her under his wing.
Feather has a daughter named Robin, of whom she takes little notice. She treats Robin with shocking neglect and once Coombe takes over responsibility for the household's finances, Feather readily abandons poor Robin to the less-than-kindly ministrations of her nurse. In fact, Robin doesn't even know Feather is her mother for her first six years, calling her 'The Lady Downstairs'. Robin also hates Coombe, having heard a conversation that blamed him for the loss of her first friend. This was a little boy named Donal who was in fact Coombe's heir. Donal's mother disapproves both of Coombe and Feather and when she discovers that her son has been playing with Robin, she whisks him away, leaving Robin heartbroken. However, Coombe does not return this dislike and in fact makes a point of serving as her guardian, albeit without Robin's knowledge. As Robin grows, he builds her a set of rooms, engages a loving nurse for her, and eventually secures a reputable governess for her. While her mother continues to behave with the selfish freedom of a wanton child.
As Robin grows, she becomes a lovely and intelligent though innocent, girl. Feather's circle includes some unsavory characters, one of whom, a German nobleman, tries to make Robin into his plaything. This caricature of Imperial German stereotypes uses Robin's desire to support herself to trap her in a house of ill repute. His plan fails mainly through the actions of Coombe, but the after-effects leave Robin crushed.
One of Coombe's few true confidants is a dowager Duchess - a woman of both great intellect and great understanding who has recently lost her long-time lady companion. After Robin's experiences with the German, Coombe suggests Robin as a suitable replacement. The Duchess is the one person who knows the secret of Coombe's determination to watch over Robin and why he is willing to tolerate the activities of her mother. This secret is finally communicated to the reader as well during one of Coombe's talks with the Duchess. The Duchess does indeed take in Robin and befriends her. Robin is introduced to the Duchess' children and their friends and finally sponsors a small dance for Robin. At the dance, Robin meets Donal again as Coombe and the Duchess learn that an Austrian Archduke has just been assassinated in Serbia.
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