The Courtyard

by Marcia Willett

Nell Woodward and Gussie Merton make unlikely friends - one a young married woman and the other a lonely elderly lady. Nell's husband, John, is an estate agent fresh from the Navy, but he is ignorant of the outside world and, as others abandon the collapsing property market, he gets in deeper...It is at Nethercombe, the home of Gussie's nephew, Henry, that a refuge is found. Henry has developed and sold a cluster of cottages, known as The Courtyard, and the people who buy them form a bond of friendship that embraces Nell and Gussie. But it is going to take all their strength to withstand the crises ahead...

Genres: Fiction, British Literature, Adult Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Marcia Willett began her career as a novelist when she was fifty years old. Since that first novel Marcia has written twenty more under her own name as well as a number of short stories. She has also written four books under the pseudonym "Willa Marsh", and is published in more than sixteen countries.
Marcia Willett's early life was devoted to the ballet, but her dreams of becoming a ballerina ended when she grew out of the classical proportions required. She had always loved books, and a family crisis made her take up a new career as a novelist - a decision she had never regretted.

Reviews

[Diane Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was a very good book with an intricate plot and some complicated characters. It was a joy to read and I never lost interest.

BUT......everything was resolved just a little too easily. Someone needs money, it falls out of the sky just in time. A character gets out of hand, he conveniently dies. One was a suicide that solved a lot of his wife's problems, one was an accidental murder that removed a blackmailer (he was killed by a hunter with bad eyesight who was aiming at a rabbit.) A little too convenient, that one. Then there was the young wife who was a nasty piece of work and later experienced a complete about face that turned her into a paragon of virtue. Everything was so easily resolved that by the end it turned into a bit of a farce.

As I said, I never lost interest, so that speaks to the author 's writing talents, but when things got difficult I never had to worry how it would turn out. There was an ever present fairy godmother that made it okay.

[Elinor · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the tradition of Rosamund Pilcher, this author writes about a group of interesting characters who live in the same place, a traditional grand English home plus the outbuildings that have been converted into dwellings called The Courtyard. Love affairs, financial difficulties, and personal tragedies are woven into the plot. This wasn't great literature, but Willett definitely writes better than many contemporary authors, and I plan to read more of her novels.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rarely in literature do I feel affinity with a character, but in this one I do! This novel is up its the best of Rosamund Pilcher and Maeve Binchy and that is high praise from me.
This one centres on the development of a courtyard community in the grounds of a stately-type home. The characters are drawn with razor-sharp accuracy and believability.
As with this type of womens’ fiction, you get high drama and exquisite portrayal of our human strengths and weaknesses. I feel sad that the story ended but know that this ending was right.
The pacing was superb and never did I feel that the story was overdone or flagging. These characters are very memorable and the whole thing very inspiring!

[Sonia Schoenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marcia Willett is my new Maeve Binchy. A group of people, connected by friendship or family ties, live and share their lives. The Courtyard begins in 1988 two scenarios: with Henry, master of Newcombe estate, as he prepares to marry Gillian, and the unlikely friendship of Gussie (Henry's great aunt, a spinster living on limited means) and Nell, the wife of a navy man who has decided to go into the real estate business. There's just enough tensions in this cozy read to keep the plot moving forward, and all ends as it should. The title of the book comes from the courtyard cottages that Henry refurbishes out of the barns and outbuildings that are no longer used on the estate. These cottages, and Newcombe itself, form the perfect backdrop for Henry, Gillian, Nell and Gussie, along with their friends and relations, to find their way through the financial crises of the late 1980s to security and happiness.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had more characters redeeming themselves than the first two. I loved the sense of family in the little community of houses and the friendships that grew amongst the homeowners and the people that they invited in. The ending surprised me a little, but it was a natural progression, even though it was bittersweet.
***Favorite Quote***
"I think that people were more content . . . when they didn't feel they had Rights. Human Rights. Animal Rights. Perhaps it would be better if we looked upon good things as a kind of bonus."

[Susan E · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read five or six of Marcia Willett's books now, and they remind me of the sweeping family sagas like Rosamunde Pilcher's books.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry Morley determines that he wants to convert several buildings on his Nethercombe estate into a courtyard community. The work is completed and he is able to begin selling the cottages. About the time that the renovation work is being done, he marries Gillian, several years his junior. Gillian has a difficult time settling in having come from the city. Gussie is Henry’s aunt. She is excited about attending the wedding and has bought a new dress for the occasion. Out of character for her, she strikes up a conversation with a stranger at the Tea shop, Nell, and Nell has a hat that will work and can loan it to her. Gussie and Nell strike up a friendship from the encounter.
It's a bit hard to describe the story because there are several threads all going at once, which is fairly typical for the other books of hers that I've read. As with her others, there are a series of likeable characters that you can find yourself wishing you knew in real life so that you wonder what happens to them after the story is ended. With her pattern of bringing characters back in later books, you often do get to find out what happens. According to the orderofbooks website, this is her second release. So in this case, I learned some of the back story for Guy who appears in several later stories.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Henry Morley can only wonder at the good fortune that has given him Gillian, his vivacious wife, and Nethercombe, his beloved family home on Dartmoor.

"When he converts his stable block into a cluster of cottages known as the Courtyard, he is delighted to welcome a group of charming occupants, including his elderly cousin Gussie and her dear friend Nell, who both find refuge at Nethercombe.

"But as the recession begins to bite, it is only a matter of time before disaster strikes. And when it does, the inhabitants of the Courtyard come together to face the crisis head on."
~~back cover

All this social distancing must really be getting to me because I really liked this book and this generally isn't my favorite genre. I do like Rosamund Pilcher but only in small doses, so this book came as a complete surprise to me. It was on my wishlist because it's set in England and I'm such a complete Anglophile that I'll read almost anything set in that country. It was charming, very stereotypical (but lovable) characters, and everything came round right in the end, with the exception of one tear-jerker situation. But it was lovely -- a nice escape into the unreality of a nice life with nice people, all the bad guys getting theirs -- an HEA all round.

[Carol Eshaghy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcia Willett’s books take place in the English countryside and always have interesting characters and good plots. Nell meets Gussie in a tea room. Gussie is going to her nephew’s wedding on his estate Nethercombe. Nell offers to lend her a hat. Nell keeps watch over Gussie and when Gussie becomes ill, Nell calls her nephew Henry. Her kindness is repaid when disaster strikes her own life and Henry and all the people on the estate aid in her recovery.

[Jan Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful story

This is the first book I've read by this author but won't be the last. Imagine a chance meeting of two very different ladies in a tea shop. Sharing a dress she bought for a wedding and the other offering a hat. The next few years bring with it many joys, sorrows all centering around these two ladies. This author described everything so vividly the reader can put themselves right there. Hard to put down and I won't soon forget it.

[Donna Mcnab · Rating 3 out of 5]

On finishing this book, I feel that I should give it 4 stars, but the first half of the book was enough to make you rather low. Money was the theme, or lack thereof, and so many characters in such bad circumstances made the reading less than joyful. However, of course, "all's well that ends well" so things do work out for everyone.

[Mary C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful story by Marcia Willett, an older book, but I will get to all that she has written. They are refreshing stories set in small villages or towns around England and never the same plot twice, always some mystery put in for good measure and never sappy or too sweet.

[Sally V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming and Charming

The tale that starts with a chance meeting of two women in a tea shop is rich and sweeping in scope, introducing a whole community of wonderful people that grow together into a family.

[Drea Fels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Pilcher & this is reminiscent of her writing. Sweet storyline about community. Nell and Gussie’s friendship and the forgiving redemptive love between Henry and Gillian are two of my favorite subplots.

[Kim Hollstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice, easy read. Well rounded British characters. Typical British countryside. I’d give it a four star rating, but I didn’t really learn anything new except for British terms and expressions. Looking forward to reading more of her books.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a Binchy read alike. I didn't love it, but it was easy to read, relaxing and it had it's own charm.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three-and-three-quarter stars.

[Katie Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have been struggling to read with everything going on in the world at the moment but this old favourite was a comfortable read for uncomfortable times.

[Kathy Spann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nell’s husband John has left his navy career. I live the character development in these books.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this very much, there are highs and lows but it reminds me of the prodigal son.

[Jane Gregg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Binge-worthy beach read

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, about a family estate needing to diversify so a courtyard of cottages is built, the stories of the inhabitants and how they all fit together. Unlikely friendships are made and broken, lots of laughter too. Some characters have appeared in other books by this author but in completely different stories, no need to have read any other books.

I do enjoy reading books by this author, set in the South West sometimes with a Navy setting but always well written with well rounded characters.

Well worth a read.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of family and friendship. It begins with a casual teashop conversation between Gussie, a retired spinster living in straightened circumstances, and Nell, whose ex naval husband is struggling to adapt to the real world of commercial business into which he has sunk his money, at a time of a financial depression. Gussie and Nell become great friends and find support at Nethercombe, the small estate of Gussie's nephew, Henry. who is converting farm buildings into courtyard homes, whilst adjusting to a late marriage to the younger and somewhat manipulative Gillian. Cue for new characters to enter the story, which spans times of joy, tragedy and betrayal. [I am trying not to give away any "spoilers"]

I have read a number of M. W. novels, and for me this is one of her best. It kept me fully engaged, that I was reluctant to put it down, with twists and turns in the plot, some of which I did foresee.

A couple of points - the disintegration of Nell and John's marriage was powerfully portrayed. But why was Nell, computer illiterate, and not used to the world of work, making no effort to find a job to help their financial situation. There was one short reference to John feeling he should support his wife but this was the 1980s/90s and their son was away at boarding school and she seemed content to stay at home in their small flat. This being in the light of a "chick lit" novel meant all ended happily for the main characters, in what was a touchy "schmaltzy". but it still made it a "good read".

[Caro (carosbookcase) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When newly married Henry Morley remodels a cluster of cottages he soon has them filled with tenants. But when disaster strikes the group need to work together to solve the crisis.

I ended up enjoying this one a lot more than I thought I would from the outset. The one issue, if you can call it that, that I have with Marcia Willett’s books is that we often have to spend a chunk of time with unlikeable characters. I understand a book has to have it’s baddies, but when I’m reading a comfort read, as Marcia Willett is for me, I don’t want to spend time in the baddie’s head. Keep them on the periphery, please and thank you.

I won’t explain why it was all okay in the case of this book, because I don't want to spoil any of the plot, so I will just say that it was and the payoff was great and the character of Henry Morley is a saint and maybe a bit unbelievably good, but I’ll bury my dark and twisted heart and suspend my disbelief just this once.

The back of this book promises the return visit of some of Marcia Willett’s “most endearing characters”. Well, Kate’s son Guy who we first meet as a child in Those Who Serve: A moving story of love, friendship, laughter and tears (aka First Friends) resurfaces in his mid-twenties in this one. On the outskirts we get to see Cass’s daughter, Gemma, and Abby’s daughter, Sophie. (I think this is the connection here, but I could be wrong.) Cass is in Those Who Serve along with Kate, and I believe this is where we first meet Abby too.

I’m really regretting not making a character tree to keep track of everyone’s relationships and which book they are introduced in. I wonder if it’s too late to start...

This wasn't my favourite Marcia Willett book, but it was a fun read with some unexpected moments.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must have been tired when I picked up the next Marcia Willett from the shelves, because I had quite forgotten that I re-read this one only fourteen months ago. I didn't actually realise that until about half-way through, although I was a bit surprised at how much I remembered of the book, thinking I had read it at least eight years ago.

It's a pleasant light read about a group of people who learn to cope together, with financial difficulties. Nice charactersation; particularly the quiet, reserved Nell and the similarly reserved elderly Gussie, who strike up an unexpected friendship at the start of the book.

There are some shocks in this novel, which I had quite forgotten in the eight years since I first read it, but remembered in the fourteen months since I last read it. However I didn't remember how it ended, or how all the problems were resolved, and I enjoyed it afresh.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story...quick read! I particularly enjoyed the dynamics on "The Courtyard," which are so much like living on Wimberly Court. The book makes the point that when houses are really close together, you have no choice but to respect one another's privacy. I agree! The book also makes the point that good often comes out of really bad situations. What an important reminder! I wholeheartedly recommend this book, with the only reservation being that the main character draws on her Christian faith for strength - and if you aren't a Christian, this might interfer with your enjoyment of the book.

[Carolyn Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the characters are appealing, this book depends too heavily on melodrama and works everything out so perfectly as to be unrealistic. And the character Henry as the rather clueless, understanding and forgiving cuckolded husband is totally unbelievable. If he'd had any self-respect he would have thrown his young selfish callous wife out on her ear. But then there wouldn't have been a story. I think I may have read this book before because it seemed familiar without being memorable. However, Willett's characters will often show up in different books, so it may just be that. Not one of Willett's best efforts.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marcia Willett is a lot like Maeve Binchy, and my feeling about this book is the same. In many ways I really enjoyed it--in that light, British country novel sort of way. I liked the characters and the story and it was a lot of fun. Just like with Maeve Binchy, though, everything is wrapped up just too perfect and pat by the end, every loose end tied up with happiness and joy. I love this genre so much, but still drives me a bit batty.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I nice easy relaxing book, not too demanding but not too shallow either. One thing I didn't like was the character of Nell. She was a bit pathetic, why didn't she get a job when her husband had all his money problems?? It was set in the late 80s, early 90s - you would have have thought we were talking about the 1950s. Apart from that I quite enjoyed the book.

[Tory · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was compared to Maeve Binchy (who I like very much) but didn't quite live up to to the comparison. While I could see similarities, the story telling and characters didn't feel as organic as in a Binchy novel.