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Through the Kitchen Window
Through the Kitchen Window [Hardcover]
76 pages, Hardcover
First published November 5, 1984
1 person is currently reading
585 people want to read
About the author
Susan Hill
180 books2,271 followersSusan Hill was born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire in 1942. Her hometown was later referred to in her novel A Change for the Better (1969) and some short stories especially "Cockles and Mussels".
She attended Scarborough Convent School, where she became interested in theatre and literature. Her family left Scarborough in 1958 and moved to Coventry where her father worked in car and aircraft factories. Hill states that she attended a girls’ grammar school, Barr's Hill. Her fellow pupils included Jennifer Page, the first Chief Executive of the Millennium Dome. At Barrs Hill she took A levels in English, French, History and Latin, proceeding to an English degree at King's College London. By this time she had already written her first novel, The Enclosure which was published by Hutchinson in her first year at university. The novel was criticised by The Daily Mail for its sexual content, with the suggestion that writing in this style was unsuitable for a "schoolgirl".
Her next novel Gentleman and Ladies was published in 1968. This was followed in quick succession by A Change for the Better, I'm the King of the Castle, The Albatross and other stories, Strange Meeting, The Bird of Night, A Bit of Singing and Dancing and In the Springtime of Year, all written and published between 1968 and 1974.
In 1975 she married Shakespeare scholar Stanley Wells and they moved to Stratford upon Avon. Their first daughter, Jessica, was born in 1977 and their second daughter, Clemency, was born in 1985. Hill has recently founded her own publishing company, Long Barn Books, which has published one work of fiction per year.
Librarian's Note: There is more than one author by this name.
She attended Scarborough Convent School, where she became interested in theatre and literature. Her family left Scarborough in 1958 and moved to Coventry where her father worked in car and aircraft factories. Hill states that she attended a girls’ grammar school, Barr's Hill. Her fellow pupils included Jennifer Page, the first Chief Executive of the Millennium Dome. At Barrs Hill she took A levels in English, French, History and Latin, proceeding to an English degree at King's College London. By this time she had already written her first novel, The Enclosure which was published by Hutchinson in her first year at university. The novel was criticised by The Daily Mail for its sexual content, with the suggestion that writing in this style was unsuitable for a "schoolgirl".
Her next novel Gentleman and Ladies was published in 1968. This was followed in quick succession by A Change for the Better, I'm the King of the Castle, The Albatross and other stories, Strange Meeting, The Bird of Night, A Bit of Singing and Dancing and In the Springtime of Year, all written and published between 1968 and 1974.
In 1975 she married Shakespeare scholar Stanley Wells and they moved to Stratford upon Avon. Their first daughter, Jessica, was born in 1977 and their second daughter, Clemency, was born in 1985. Hill has recently founded her own publishing company, Long Barn Books, which has published one work of fiction per year.
Librarian's Note: There is more than one author by this name.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 11, 2016
No doubt about it, I am a Susan Hill fan. She speaks my language. This little book is really a picture book for adults. It is not a must-read just a lovely little book to enjoy over a cup of tea and then to display on the kitchen shelf. Recipes included.
June 16, 2011
This is the third of my Susan Hill books about her life in the country. After being totally enchanted by The Magic Apple Tree last year, I bought Through the Garden Gate and this title. Susan Hill's voice has an gentle and honest quality, and I have become a fan of her writing.
This book is quite short and you would be able to read it in one sitting. Illustrated again by Angela Barrett, the pictures enhance the main themes of the book, which are home, family, living in a community, and cooking things that you have grown yourself. The whole book is infused with recipes alongside the authors recollections, stories and recommendations.
Arranged seasonally we are taken through a whole year in her kitchen...hearty meals in winter and dishes that help you get over a cold, young greens in spring, picnics, salads and fruit in summer, bottling and preserving in autumn. Naturally each seasonal festival is also included, The Christmas table, Easter treats, and suggestions for using whatever is in season.
The recipes are of a traditional nature with family in friends in mind, Fruity Tea Bread, Dorset Apple Cake, Sausage and Onion Plate Pie. Many dishes are mentioned without the recipe, as a nostalgic memory or appreciation. We also have 'Ten Pleasures of the Winter Kitchen' and sections on Damsons, Asparagus, Rhubarb and many more.
Again this is a book to treasure and dip into, very sensory, and a haven to retreat to during a busy day. Out of the 3 books this is my least favourite, and The Magic Apple Tree remains miles ahead, but if you like books about country living and Susan Hill's mesmerising writing voice, this is worth looking up.
This book is quite short and you would be able to read it in one sitting. Illustrated again by Angela Barrett, the pictures enhance the main themes of the book, which are home, family, living in a community, and cooking things that you have grown yourself. The whole book is infused with recipes alongside the authors recollections, stories and recommendations.
Arranged seasonally we are taken through a whole year in her kitchen...hearty meals in winter and dishes that help you get over a cold, young greens in spring, picnics, salads and fruit in summer, bottling and preserving in autumn. Naturally each seasonal festival is also included, The Christmas table, Easter treats, and suggestions for using whatever is in season.
The recipes are of a traditional nature with family in friends in mind, Fruity Tea Bread, Dorset Apple Cake, Sausage and Onion Plate Pie. Many dishes are mentioned without the recipe, as a nostalgic memory or appreciation. We also have 'Ten Pleasures of the Winter Kitchen' and sections on Damsons, Asparagus, Rhubarb and many more.
Again this is a book to treasure and dip into, very sensory, and a haven to retreat to during a busy day. Out of the 3 books this is my least favourite, and The Magic Apple Tree remains miles ahead, but if you like books about country living and Susan Hill's mesmerising writing voice, this is worth looking up.
June 25, 2017
Following a full year in a productive country kitchen, in the days when all garden produce was home grown and then turned into sauces, chutneys, jams, casseroles, soups, cordials, breads, pastries and all things nice. As the second sentence says of the kitchen……It is a living space. A beautifully illustrated book with some easy to follow recipes, this is a delightful look ..Through the Kitchen Window!
March 3, 2022
Lovely, lovely, lovely! A new favorite vintage home (and partial cookery) book. The illustrations are so cozy and charming - the perfect accompaniment to the kitchen descriptions and old fashioned recipes.
For such a slim book, it’s chock full of beauty. Not only in the artistry, but in the words and also the changing seasons.
What a delight to read! I might try a few of these recipes (especially the Dorset Apple Cake) in the future. Wonderful in all ways!
For such a slim book, it’s chock full of beauty. Not only in the artistry, but in the words and also the changing seasons.
What a delight to read! I might try a few of these recipes (especially the Dorset Apple Cake) in the future. Wonderful in all ways!
August 25, 2017
Very sweet and nicely illustrated!
April 7, 2024
Recipes, wonderful writing about kitchen through the seasons, and beautiful illustrations!
Def giving me a cottagecore vibes :)
Def giving me a cottagecore vibes :)
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January 2, 2026I enjoyed the elderflower appreciation
February 26, 2022
I read and enjoyed Hill's The Magic Apple Tree last year - this book is similar - reflections on seasonal food, with the occasional recipe thrown in for good measure, and pretty illustrations by Angela Barrett. At only 80 pages long, and with many double-page sketches, it really doesn't take long to read!
June 18, 2011
Library booksale find. Lovely illustrations and nice writing about foods of different seasons, English countryside. I have finished the section on spring and now entering summer. Yummy. I dont cook, but I occasionally read about cooking, although this is not so much recipes and about the foods.
August 20, 2022
One of my favourite ever books. It’s only a slim volume, but it contains such glorious illustrations, recipes, tips, and facts chronicling the seasons from a country kitchen. A lot of it is very old now, which only adds to the magic. Reading it feels like a ginormous snuggly hug, which is perfect for midwinter.
August 30, 2023
A beautifully nostalgic journey through the seasons in a country kitchen. Wonderfully illustated and just a delight to read and look at. Susan Hill’s wriring is sublime. The recipes are a gorgeous bonus.
June 5, 2024
So nice and cozy. I love the illustrations and the little recipes.
June 17, 2023
What a sweet old fashioned book…. Obviously British . Not really much in the way of recipes but the art and the descriptions of the seasonal foods etc are just lovely. I’m so glad I found this book.
March 19, 2016
Delightfull!
April 13, 2017
A delightful, poetic, nostalgic read with lovely illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews