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Miss Buncle #4
The Four Graces
The four Grace sisters - Liz, Sal, Tilly and Addie - love their quiet country life. To some, their insular world might seem dull, but the sisters and their father, Mr. Grace, truly are the happiest of families. That is, until Aunt Rona comes to town. Rona intends to stay indefinitely, and her superior, meddlesome attitude immediately sets the sisters' teeth on edge. Throw in another unexpected houseguest, some potential suitors, and a case of mistaken intentions, and the members of the Grace family suddenly find themselves quite out of their element. Can they make it through the summer and return to their quiet ways? Or will their close-knit family change forever?
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1946
177 people are currently reading
1320 people want to read
About the author
D.E. Stevenson
67 books627 followersThere is more than one author with this name
Dorothy Emily Stevenson was a best-selling Scottish author. She published more than 40 romantic novels over a period of more than 40 years. Her father was a cousin of Robert Louis Stevenson.
D.E. Stevenson had an enormously successful writing career: between 1923 and 1970, four million copies of her books were sold in Britain and three million in the States. Like E.F. Benson, Ann Bridge, O. Douglas or Dorothy L. Sayers (to name but a few) her books are funny, intensely readable, engaging and dependable.
Dorothy Emily Stevenson was a best-selling Scottish author. She published more than 40 romantic novels over a period of more than 40 years. Her father was a cousin of Robert Louis Stevenson.
D.E. Stevenson had an enormously successful writing career: between 1923 and 1970, four million copies of her books were sold in Britain and three million in the States. Like E.F. Benson, Ann Bridge, O. Douglas or Dorothy L. Sayers (to name but a few) her books are funny, intensely readable, engaging and dependable.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
November 20, 2024
Another lovely, enticing book by D.E. Stevenson that warms your heart & delights your soul.
Once again, we are back in the inimitable English countryside, in Wandlebury and in Chevis Place, the lovely settings for Miss Buncle Married & The Two Mrs. Abbotts.
In a way The Four Graces starts where The Two Mrs. Abbotts left off and we can witness the wedding of Archie Chevis-Cobbe & Jane through the eyes of Tillie (Mathilda) Grace, 3rd daughter of Mr Grace, the vicar of Chevis Place. But just as we get a glimpse, we are cleverly led to pastures new or rather to characters new and the 4 daughters -Liz, Sal, Tillie & Addie- of the vicar are introduced to the story.
We only get glimpses of Addie, who works in London at the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (it is the 2 WW), and the book deals with the other 3 girls, but mainly Sal & Liz's "romances" & the misapplied aspirations& ambitions of their disliked Aunt Rona to turn their untroubled, cosy life upside down by trying to catch the girls' father as her 3rd husband.
The vicar and his daughters are lovely protagonists, their quiet goings-on in the village of Chevis Place with its inhabitants are described in "typical" D.E. Stevenson's style: with quiet humour, sharp insight & pitch-perfect characterisation.
Just like in most of her books not much is happening, but it doesn't matter really, for you do not read these books for action & adventure and it does not lose any entertainment value over this fact.
You have village life, tea & garden parties + delightful, but simple romances to contend yourself with. And you can admire the cunning with which the author manages to portray people in a few words / sentences.
Once again, we are back in the inimitable English countryside, in Wandlebury and in Chevis Place, the lovely settings for Miss Buncle Married & The Two Mrs. Abbotts.
In a way The Four Graces starts where The Two Mrs. Abbotts left off and we can witness the wedding of Archie Chevis-Cobbe & Jane through the eyes of Tillie (Mathilda) Grace, 3rd daughter of Mr Grace, the vicar of Chevis Place. But just as we get a glimpse, we are cleverly led to pastures new or rather to characters new and the 4 daughters -Liz, Sal, Tillie & Addie- of the vicar are introduced to the story.
We only get glimpses of Addie, who works in London at the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (it is the 2 WW), and the book deals with the other 3 girls, but mainly Sal & Liz's "romances" & the misapplied aspirations& ambitions of their disliked Aunt Rona to turn their untroubled, cosy life upside down by trying to catch the girls' father as her 3rd husband.
The vicar and his daughters are lovely protagonists, their quiet goings-on in the village of Chevis Place with its inhabitants are described in "typical" D.E. Stevenson's style: with quiet humour, sharp insight & pitch-perfect characterisation.
Just like in most of her books not much is happening, but it doesn't matter really, for you do not read these books for action & adventure and it does not lose any entertainment value over this fact.
You have village life, tea & garden parties + delightful, but simple romances to contend yourself with. And you can admire the cunning with which the author manages to portray people in a few words / sentences.
December 10, 2019
4.5 stars. A cozy, heartwarming tale set in a small English village during WWII, about the daughters of Mr. Grace, the local vicar, and their relationships with each other and others (including a little romance). This book was just what I needed tonight.
RTC.
RTC.
February 15, 2017
I'm giving this five stars because this may be my new favorite comfort read. I imagine re-reading this as soon as a few years smudge my memory of it. It's easy, it's witty, it's English. There's a vicar—Mr Grace. His four daughters. Pots and pots of tea. English village pastoral.
The vicarage is a tight circle: The girls talked..., but their conversation veered to and fro in a manner which a stranger would have found bewildering in the extreme, but which the Graces found perfectly natural.
Not much happens, but it's a joy to just sit and observe people. If you like Little Women, you would enjoy The Four Graces.
The vicarage is a tight circle: The girls talked..., but their conversation veered to and fro in a manner which a stranger would have found bewildering in the extreme, but which the Graces found perfectly natural.
Not much happens, but it's a joy to just sit and observe people. If you like Little Women, you would enjoy The Four Graces.
January 10, 2019
"Life was like that, thought Liz. You drifted on for years and years --
then, suddenly, everything happened at once and all the things that had seemed so stable dissolved and disintegrated before your eyes ... and life was new."
The story revolves around the daily lives of Rev Grace and his daughters -- three, in fact, the fourth is living in London and is only a minor character in this story. The characters from the previous books are secondary characters and only footnotes in some cases.
We see another glimpse of village life and perseverance during wartime. The war is in the background and does not really play a part except for the various food rations and queues. We see life through the eyes of Liz, Sal and Tilly -- village wisdom and philosophy on life, relationships, new relationships and friendships, unwanted relatives.
It's all told with much sincerity and a quiet humor.
then, suddenly, everything happened at once and all the things that had seemed so stable dissolved and disintegrated before your eyes ... and life was new."
The story revolves around the daily lives of Rev Grace and his daughters -- three, in fact, the fourth is living in London and is only a minor character in this story. The characters from the previous books are secondary characters and only footnotes in some cases.
We see another glimpse of village life and perseverance during wartime. The war is in the background and does not really play a part except for the various food rations and queues. We see life through the eyes of Liz, Sal and Tilly -- village wisdom and philosophy on life, relationships, new relationships and friendships, unwanted relatives.
It's all told with much sincerity and a quiet humor.
July 27, 2013
This English village novel picks up where The Two Mrs. Abbotts left off, with Archie Chevis Cobbe's wedding. Archie and his bride only play a minor role in this story, however. The main characters are the Grace sisters, daughters of the vicar in Chevis Green. There's the eldest, Sal, strong and proud; outspoken Liz; Addie in the WAAF and shy Tillie. Does that sound like four other sisters you may know and love? Similar to Little Women, this story is about the daily lives of the four sisters during World War II as they work hard to keep their father comfortable, their home running smoothy and do their part for the war effort. Their father is a bit absent-minded, but they love him terribly and don't want any more change to come to the vicarage. Change does come however. First, a soldier comes calling all too frequently for Tillie's taste. Then, a clumsy Roman scholar arrives and works his way into the hearts of the Graces. When bossy, annoying Aunt Rona comes to stay from London and turns the household upside down, the Graces are at their wits' end. The girls fear Aunt Rona has designs on Father and will never leave. Whatever shall they do? Outside the vicarage, the villages queue up for fish at the market; take in refugees and fight over petty differences - in essence, a typical English village novel. I adored this sweet, simple story. In many ways it reminded me of a Lucy Maud Montgomery story with adult characters and also Little Women at times. It's sweet and funny at the same time. There's not much plot, yet I found myself reading all the way to the end in one setting. I didn't mean to, but I was so captivated by the charming world of Chevis Green that I just had to keep reading. This is exactly the type of comforting read I like before going to sleep at night. If you love English (or Canadian or American) village/small town stories then hurry off to your local library to find a copy of this book!
November 2, 2022
Purely charming. It was like reading a kind of mix of Little Women with Angela Thirkell's world of English villages. I simply adored it.
I chuckled many times.
The sweet (despite the IIWW in the background) atmosphere of the English village and lovely love stories made my time with the book enjoyable and comforting.
I would have definitely preferred to watch more encounters between sweethearts, and also to see the tall dark man for Tilly, the book could have easily been longer, but it is my only complaint.
PS I haven't read all previous parts (only the first one) of the series. But, although, I have read that it started when the previous book ended, it didn't matter at all.
I chuckled many times.
"Can’t we have jam?”
“Not today,” said Sal.
“You can have jam yesterday and tomorrow,” said Tilly solemnly
"Birmingham!” exclaimed Liz emphatically.
“No, Oxford,” said Mr. Grace.--> It was funny because Liz used it instead of swearing, which her father didn't know.
The sweet (despite the IIWW in the background) atmosphere of the English village and lovely love stories made my time with the book enjoyable and comforting.
I would have definitely preferred to watch more encounters between sweethearts, and also to see the tall dark man for Tilly, the book could have easily been longer, but it is my only complaint.
PS I haven't read all previous parts (only the first one) of the series. But, although, I have read that it started when the previous book ended, it didn't matter at all.
November 2, 2021
What a lovely book! I've been a fan of the Mrs. Tim and Miss Buncle series for years but I've never had a chance to read any of her others until now. This is the wonderful story of a widowed vicar living in rural WWII England with his three daughters. (The fourth daughter is in London and doesn't figure in much.) It's about a fete and trouble over the church flowers, rationing, a designing Aunt from the city and young love. A sweet tale that reminded me of Miss Read or Jan Karon, it has certainly encouraged me to track down more of the author's stand-alone novels.
The more of Stevenson's books I read, the more I realize that, behind the sweet details and humor, she's writing about all the ways people misunderstand each other, and themselves. In this book, for instance This idea adds a deeper level to her books, but can cause readers to be misled also. So enjoy the fun, but try not to miss the ways Stevenson lets characters lead themselves - and us - astray.
NB - If a quotation is brought up in a book and seems important, it's worthwhile to look it up. And so easy in these days of google! Here's the last half of one Liz asks about toward the end of the story. It helps explain a lot.
From "Give All to Love" by R. W. Emerson -
"Cling with life to the maid;
But when the surprise,
First vague shadow of surmise
Flits across her bosom young,
Of a joy apart from thee,
Free be she, fancy-free;
Nor thou detain her vesture’s hem,
Nor the palest rose she flung
From her summer diadem.
Though thou loved her as thyself,
As a self of purer clay,
Though her parting dims the day,
Stealing grace from all alive;
Heartily know,
When half-gods go,
The gods arrive."
The more of Stevenson's books I read, the more I realize that, behind the sweet details and humor, she's writing about all the ways people misunderstand each other, and themselves. In this book, for instance This idea adds a deeper level to her books, but can cause readers to be misled also. So enjoy the fun, but try not to miss the ways Stevenson lets characters lead themselves - and us - astray.
NB - If a quotation is brought up in a book and seems important, it's worthwhile to look it up. And so easy in these days of google! Here's the last half of one Liz asks about toward the end of the story. It helps explain a lot.
From "Give All to Love" by R. W. Emerson -
"Cling with life to the maid;
But when the surprise,
First vague shadow of surmise
Flits across her bosom young,
Of a joy apart from thee,
Free be she, fancy-free;
Nor thou detain her vesture’s hem,
Nor the palest rose she flung
From her summer diadem.
Though thou loved her as thyself,
As a self of purer clay,
Though her parting dims the day,
Stealing grace from all alive;
Heartily know,
When half-gods go,
The gods arrive."
September 20, 2021
“I have noticed that nowadays when people speak of being broad-minded they really mean muddleheaded, or lacking in principles—or possibly lacking the strength to stand up for any principles they may have. Nowadays people are anxious to appear worse than they are,” said Mr. Grace, smiling. “It’s a queer sort of inverted hypocrisy, Mrs. Smith…but I must apologize for sermonizing.” “Not at all,” replied Mrs. Smith. “I always think it’s so interesting to hear people talking shop.” Mr. Grace was a trifle taken aback at this description of his calling. He was silent.”
The Four Graces takes up right where The Two Mrs. Abbotts leaves off. Starting with Miss Buncle’s Book, This is the 4th novel set in the universe which opened with Barbara Buncle in Silverstream and continued to Wandlebury and environs. The once mysterious Jane Watt is marrying Archie Chevis-Cobbe and the wedding is being officiated by Reverend Grace, the local vicar, with one of his 4 daughters, Tilly, playing the organ. We are soon introduced to the other 3 Graces: Liz, Sal, and Addie. Liz and Sal are the two sisters that this book revolves around. After the wedding, Miss Marks, my favorite character from “Abbots”, loses her umbrella which kicks off a series of events that ends in marriage for one of the Graces. Or is it Tilly's failure to dust the organ before sitting down which starts things off? While getting two of the 4 Graces settled as far as their “happily ever afters,” we are treated to stories involving an evacuee who is being called home to London by his mother (echoing a similar happenstance in a former book), a scandal involving doing the flowers in church, an archeologist excavating a Roman fort, a fete, and the various challenges that all England had to face during WWII. Not to mention, an intrusive Aunt that causes havoc and confoundment for our family. Through it all, the four sisters are right in the thick of everything that happens.
I absolutely adored it. Of all of the 4 interconnected novels, it was my favorite. It was touching, tender, wise, and the most romantic. And it is funny. The characters of each of the Grace family, their neighbors, and the fly in the ointment, Aunt Rona, were flawlessly drawn. The two love interests for Sal and Liz were so appealing. I couldn't have devised better for the two young women, whom I grew so fond of. Aunt Rona was the soul sister of Mrs. Elton of Emma, and I am not exaggerating when I say she belongs right up there next to her in the pantheon priceless English caricatures (in a bad way.) There is a passage towards the end of the book where Liz is cleverly satirizing the vanquished Aunt that is not only witty and clever but hilarious as well. I wish I could quote reams from the book, but I listened to it on Audio which was charmingly narrated by Karen Cass. And you would have to get to know Aunt Rona to appreciate the humor. And you should. I would recommend to anyone who loves gentle English novels to treat themselves and get to know this charming happy family. But first, you really should read the one prior to it, and the one prior to that, and the one prior to that. I wish D. E. Stevenson had written more in this particular world ala Angela Thirkell and her Barsetshire Chronicles.
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings....
February 19, 2022
The local vicar—Mr. Grace—has four lovely daughters: Liz (the eldest and the boldest); Sal (reserved with a core of steel); Tilly (introverted and standoffish); and Addie (AWOL from most of the novel as she is in London supporting the war efforts). And they're happy until Aunt Rona descends upon them and starts mucking about with their habits, their relationships, and their lives.
1. I quite liked this, even though I'm going to descend into complaining shortly. It's another of Stevenson's confections: life in the pleasant English countryside, full of gossip and community and day-t0-day chores and practices and whatnot. It's particularly comforting, in its way, because of how the world is right now.
2. That said, this was a little...flat? Perhaps shallow better captures my intents. There's a quite a few different threads in this—Aunt Rona's unpleasant presence; her pursuit of Mr. Grace; the visit of William Sharp; the attentions of Roderick Herd; the question of the Bertie boy; the Jane/Bodkin situation; etc. And while some of these don't need anything more than what we've been given, others absolutely need more—and the fact that they're not given more inadvertently undermines all the other plots because they're so slight.
When everything on the plate is froth, it's easy to leave the table still hungry.
3. I did like William so much, and his solid, steady presence as he comes to understand the Grace household and claim a place for himself. He was quite delightful, and I wish we had gotten more about him and his life in Oxford (and how it contrasted), as well as more of a denouement of his return.
4. I thought Sal the best developed of the Grace sisters, which is slightly disappointing because we're told over and over again that she's everyone else's favorite, too, which just makes it... obvious. She's just a little too revered; it's boring.
5. I kind of desperately want to know the story with Wilfred and the Smith-lady?? They're in like 1 chapter and yet I am INTRIGUED.
1. I quite liked this, even though I'm going to descend into complaining shortly. It's another of Stevenson's confections: life in the pleasant English countryside, full of gossip and community and day-t0-day chores and practices and whatnot. It's particularly comforting, in its way, because of how the world is right now.
2. That said, this was a little...flat? Perhaps shallow better captures my intents. There's a quite a few different threads in this—Aunt Rona's unpleasant presence; her pursuit of Mr. Grace; the visit of William Sharp; the attentions of Roderick Herd; the question of the Bertie boy; the Jane/Bodkin situation; etc. And while some of these don't need anything more than what we've been given, others absolutely need more—and the fact that they're not given more inadvertently undermines all the other plots because they're so slight.
When everything on the plate is froth, it's easy to leave the table still hungry.
3. I did like William so much, and his solid, steady presence as he comes to understand the Grace household and claim a place for himself. He was quite delightful, and I wish we had gotten more about him and his life in Oxford (and how it contrasted), as well as more of a denouement of his return.
4. I thought Sal the best developed of the Grace sisters, which is slightly disappointing because we're told over and over again that she's everyone else's favorite, too, which just makes it... obvious. She's just a little too revered; it's boring.
5. I kind of desperately want to know the story with Wilfred and the Smith-lady?? They're in like 1 chapter and yet I am INTRIGUED.
November 28, 2021
The fourth book in the Miss Buncle series, although Barbara appears only once at the beginning (at the wedding of a couple from The Two Mrs. Abbotts). Several familiar faces from that previous book make an appearance, as does Markie’s umbrella—all but the latter only peripherally. (The umbrella launches a key plot element.)
Once I made peace with the change of cast, The Four Graces earned a spot among my favorite D.E. Stevenson books. The four Grace sisters are a delight: the eldest, Liz, strong and outdoorsy, plain spoken and impulsive. Sarah (Sal), the second-born and more delicate, the parish smoother-over and loving helpmeet to their father the minister. Tilly is the third-born, an organist and observer, with strong feelings not yet tempered by maturity. And the youngest, Addie, glamorous and perhaps a bit self-absorbed, also absent for much of the book doing war service in London.
The spirited young women are a delight to visit in the book’s pages, whether in their boisterous tea-time conversations, their interactions in the village, or their consternation with the horrid Aunt Rona (a meddler that every reader will love to hate).
As in any good Stevenson book, we have a charming village, brave denizens “making due” despite the privations of wartime, and of course some gentle confusion before the right romantic pairs find each other.
The first book in the series, Miss Buncle’s Book, is in a class by itself, as well as being apples to oranges as it was written before the war. Of the remainder, I greatly enjoyed The Two Mrs. Abbotts, and found this book equally endearing.
Back to the clever girls, I loved this quotation: “You need a special sort of brain to be good at crosswords, a mad-hatter sort of brain, quick, intuitive, and slightly illogical.” This maxim could as easily apply to D.E. Stevenson’s “Miss Buncle” books.
Enjoy!
Once I made peace with the change of cast, The Four Graces earned a spot among my favorite D.E. Stevenson books. The four Grace sisters are a delight: the eldest, Liz, strong and outdoorsy, plain spoken and impulsive. Sarah (Sal), the second-born and more delicate, the parish smoother-over and loving helpmeet to their father the minister. Tilly is the third-born, an organist and observer, with strong feelings not yet tempered by maturity. And the youngest, Addie, glamorous and perhaps a bit self-absorbed, also absent for much of the book doing war service in London.
The spirited young women are a delight to visit in the book’s pages, whether in their boisterous tea-time conversations, their interactions in the village, or their consternation with the horrid Aunt Rona (a meddler that every reader will love to hate).
As in any good Stevenson book, we have a charming village, brave denizens “making due” despite the privations of wartime, and of course some gentle confusion before the right romantic pairs find each other.
The first book in the series, Miss Buncle’s Book, is in a class by itself, as well as being apples to oranges as it was written before the war. Of the remainder, I greatly enjoyed The Two Mrs. Abbotts, and found this book equally endearing.
Back to the clever girls, I loved this quotation: “You need a special sort of brain to be good at crosswords, a mad-hatter sort of brain, quick, intuitive, and slightly illogical.” This maxim could as easily apply to D.E. Stevenson’s “Miss Buncle” books.
Enjoy!
October 1, 2016
What can I say about this book? I really really enjoyed it. This is the first book by this author that I've read and I'm hoping to collect the rest.
It's a book that has no great adventure, no mysteries and no great secrets yet it's a very good read. Human nature is the thread running through the book. The characters were wonderful. The four sisters and their father were nice genuine people with out being boring. But I loved William. From the start I wanted him to find happiness and contentment and I'm glad to say he got his HEA. Aunt Rona, while a very unlikable character was familiar. I think we all have one of them in our families.
A nice gentle read to while away the hours.
It's a book that has no great adventure, no mysteries and no great secrets yet it's a very good read. Human nature is the thread running through the book. The characters were wonderful. The four sisters and their father were nice genuine people with out being boring. But I loved William. From the start I wanted him to find happiness and contentment and I'm glad to say he got his HEA. Aunt Rona, while a very unlikable character was familiar. I think we all have one of them in our families.
A nice gentle read to while away the hours.
December 23, 2020
Oh, dear, is this a case of 'it's not you it's me?' I have been reading an abundance of women's fiction set around WW2 recently...
But, no, I just really did not enjoy this one. I didn't like any of the sisters. Despite the title, only three crop up regularly enough in this story to feel like main characters and only two actually get true plotlines. (If you can even count Liz's romance a plotline...)
The story lacked the warm-fuzzy feeling I've come to expect from D.E. Stevenson. I don't like the final pairings and none of the characters seem to like them either! Maybe if there was a sequel with more for Tilly I would feel better?
But, no, I just really did not enjoy this one. I didn't like any of the sisters. Despite the title, only three crop up regularly enough in this story to feel like main characters and only two actually get true plotlines. (If you can even count Liz's romance a plotline...)
The story lacked the warm-fuzzy feeling I've come to expect from D.E. Stevenson. I don't like the final pairings and none of the characters seem to like them either! Maybe if there was a sequel with more for Tilly I would feel better?
April 1, 2015
I started to read this book, but alarm bells began ringing as the name "Abbott" was mentioned. I raced to Goodreads to see if this was part of the Miss Buncle series, and after doing a bit of digging, found out that it was #4. That information is not clearly stated, but if you go to the author page and look at the series, you'll see that it is listed.
Since I have not yet read #3 (The Two Mrs. Abbotts), I'm putting this aside for now. (Darn it, I was really enjoying it!)
UPDATE: March 31, 2015
3 ½ stars
So, my original question was, is this or is this not #4 in the Miss Buncle series? Well… maybe yes, maybe no.
PROS:
• Some of the characters introduced to us in ‘The Two Mrs. Abbotts’ reappear.
Miss Marks
Archie Chevis-Cobbe
Jane Watt Chevis-Cobbe
• There is a footnote in 'The Four Graces' that states *Further details of Janes’s history are available in ‘The Two Mrs. Abbotts’.
• The story takes place in Wandlebury, Barbara Buncle Abbot’s home village
CONS:
• According to the back of the book jacket of TTMA, the publisher states ”D.E. Stevenson delivers another well-crafted gem with ‘The Two Mrs. Abbotts’, the third and final book of the beloved Miss Buncle series.” NOTE: My edition of ‘The Two Mrs. Abbotts’ was printed in 2014, so it’s not like ‘The Four Graces’ had not yet been published.
• Neither of the Mrs. Abbotts appears in this book (but the younger IS referrenced).
• A man named Mr. Grace was very briefly mentioned in TTMA – I’m not exactly sure what he was, but I don’t think he was a pastor! “Mr. Grace came out of the bar and asked if she were feeling poorly and suggested a small brandy or a glass of port.” - The Two Mrs. Abbotts
• The vicar’s name in TTMA was Mr. Dance, was married, and had a daughter named Marguerite. In TFG, the vicar is Mr. Grace, a widower, with four daughters.
• Most of the townspeople are different between the two books.
MY OPINION:
• I don’t see how this could NOT be considered the 4th book. I’ve read some series books that had much less connection to each other than this one.
Since I have not yet read #3 (The Two Mrs. Abbotts), I'm putting this aside for now. (Darn it, I was really enjoying it!)
UPDATE: March 31, 2015
3 ½ stars
So, my original question was, is this or is this not #4 in the Miss Buncle series? Well… maybe yes, maybe no.
PROS:
• Some of the characters introduced to us in ‘The Two Mrs. Abbotts’ reappear.
Miss Marks
Archie Chevis-Cobbe
Jane Watt Chevis-Cobbe
• There is a footnote in 'The Four Graces' that states *Further details of Janes’s history are available in ‘The Two Mrs. Abbotts’.
• The story takes place in Wandlebury, Barbara Buncle Abbot’s home village
CONS:
• According to the back of the book jacket of TTMA, the publisher states ”D.E. Stevenson delivers another well-crafted gem with ‘The Two Mrs. Abbotts’, the third and final book of the beloved Miss Buncle series.” NOTE: My edition of ‘The Two Mrs. Abbotts’ was printed in 2014, so it’s not like ‘The Four Graces’ had not yet been published.
• Neither of the Mrs. Abbotts appears in this book (but the younger IS referrenced).
• A man named Mr. Grace was very briefly mentioned in TTMA – I’m not exactly sure what he was, but I don’t think he was a pastor! “Mr. Grace came out of the bar and asked if she were feeling poorly and suggested a small brandy or a glass of port.” - The Two Mrs. Abbotts
• The vicar’s name in TTMA was Mr. Dance, was married, and had a daughter named Marguerite. In TFG, the vicar is Mr. Grace, a widower, with four daughters.
• Most of the townspeople are different between the two books.
MY OPINION:
• I don’t see how this could NOT be considered the 4th book. I’ve read some series books that had much less connection to each other than this one.
March 20, 2024
4.5🌟 Oh, what a cozy D.E. Stevenson! It's so strange to me that this series (starting with Miss Buncle's Book) has just gotten better and better from the first book to the fourth book. (I felt a similar way about the The Eliot Family series by Elizabeth Goudge...the third and last book was my favorite.)
I'm starting to think that I really enjoy books about sisters living in a cozy village in England, especially when they have a vicar as a father! lol. I think that's why I love Noel Streatfeild's 'A Vicarage Family', too.
I adored all of this sisters (Lizzy, Sal, Tilly and Addie), their relationship to each other and to the village. They each had different personalities (both positive and negative), but that made them even more lovable. I was immediately won over by big, quiet, awkward William. He fit into the Grace family so well when he first came to stay. Their father is slightly forgetful and not quite able to handle all of the goings on and feelings of his sweet daughters, but he has a spark and a bit of courage when needed.
Aunt Rona is the comic relief (and also frustration) in the story, but her absurd behavior just adds to the fun and liveliness of this book.
This D.E. Stevenson novel was so lovely that I know I'll be reading it again soon. What a treat!! 😊🌸💕
I'm starting to think that I really enjoy books about sisters living in a cozy village in England, especially when they have a vicar as a father! lol. I think that's why I love Noel Streatfeild's 'A Vicarage Family', too.
I adored all of this sisters (Lizzy, Sal, Tilly and Addie), their relationship to each other and to the village. They each had different personalities (both positive and negative), but that made them even more lovable. I was immediately won over by big, quiet, awkward William. He fit into the Grace family so well when he first came to stay. Their father is slightly forgetful and not quite able to handle all of the goings on and feelings of his sweet daughters, but he has a spark and a bit of courage when needed.
Aunt Rona is the comic relief (and also frustration) in the story, but her absurd behavior just adds to the fun and liveliness of this book.
This D.E. Stevenson novel was so lovely that I know I'll be reading it again soon. What a treat!! 😊🌸💕
September 20, 2012
Really it's between 3 and 4 stars. It would have been better if it was longer, I think, with more time developed to make the sisters stand out from each other a bit more.
This book can stand on its own, though it has extremely incidental references to a couple of characters from The Two Mrs. Abbotts. It's really not important to get the connection, though, as this book is about an entirely different family.
It's World War II, and the Graces are a family of four daughters and their father. They lead a very routine life, and they are pretty content with it. They are a clever but comfortable family. Elements of change begin to creep in, which make up the bulk of the novel. For one thing, a lodger comes to stay--an archaeologist of indeterminate age who is checking on some nearby Roman ruins. For another thing, a young officer gets acquainted with the girls, who all become immediately confused as to which one of them he is interested in. And a manipulating aunt-by-marriage moves in and makes herself at home. It's domestic drama and humor in the midst of a bigger world drama, which just has to take a back seat.
My favorite character is William Single, the archaeologist and lodger. He's physically rather clumsy and awkward, but surprisingly insightful and also very kind and humble.
It was a nice, gentle book, but it felt like little glimpses when I wanted a long look. Worth a read, though!
This book can stand on its own, though it has extremely incidental references to a couple of characters from The Two Mrs. Abbotts. It's really not important to get the connection, though, as this book is about an entirely different family.
It's World War II, and the Graces are a family of four daughters and their father. They lead a very routine life, and they are pretty content with it. They are a clever but comfortable family. Elements of change begin to creep in, which make up the bulk of the novel. For one thing, a lodger comes to stay--an archaeologist of indeterminate age who is checking on some nearby Roman ruins. For another thing, a young officer gets acquainted with the girls, who all become immediately confused as to which one of them he is interested in. And a manipulating aunt-by-marriage moves in and makes herself at home. It's domestic drama and humor in the midst of a bigger world drama, which just has to take a back seat.
My favorite character is William Single, the archaeologist and lodger. He's physically rather clumsy and awkward, but surprisingly insightful and also very kind and humble.
It was a nice, gentle book, but it felt like little glimpses when I wanted a long look. Worth a read, though!
August 30, 2014
The Four Graces are the four daughters of Mr. Grace a minister during World War II. You feel great poignancy reading this knowing that Britain was fighting for the country that D.E. Stevenson was describing but that when they won, they lost it anyway through modernity and industrialization. Too bad. The country she describes is one where young women are free to work, love, and play. Where friends and family are treasured. As someone said, "It is Little Women meets World War II."
As I read it, I had no idea women could work in so many careers. One sister works on the farm and one has enlisted. The other two help the father: one keeps house and the other, the youngest, plays the organ. After I had read it, I stumbled across an article from 1941 in the Guardian about how World War II in England was a greatest time for women's equality.
The book is a sequel to The Two Miss Abbots, and it is amazing how D.E. Stevenson transitioned us from the characters in that book to the new characters, the Graces. You can almost see a camera panning away from Jane and Archie at the altar to the Four Graces. Expertly written and plotted all around.
As with all D.E. Stevenson books, I highly recommend it, but I am still partial to Miss Buncle.
As I read it, I had no idea women could work in so many careers. One sister works on the farm and one has enlisted. The other two help the father: one keeps house and the other, the youngest, plays the organ. After I had read it, I stumbled across an article from 1941 in the Guardian about how World War II in England was a greatest time for women's equality.
The book is a sequel to The Two Miss Abbots, and it is amazing how D.E. Stevenson transitioned us from the characters in that book to the new characters, the Graces. You can almost see a camera panning away from Jane and Archie at the altar to the Four Graces. Expertly written and plotted all around.
As with all D.E. Stevenson books, I highly recommend it, but I am still partial to Miss Buncle.
May 16, 2018
Damn that ending! Come on come ON! WHAT do we need to do to stop getting all these half baked endings around here dear D. E. Stevenson?
Of course it was a good book. It always is. Touch of a meandering dream of course but I wouldn't have it any other way. What I would like to have is less cowardice on the ending style. -_-
The three of the four Grace girls (Liz, Sal and Tilly) are delightful in their own ways (feel the title is a little misleading as the fourth, Addie, is barely in the book) along with their father the kindly vicar. Their interactions with the numerous people in the village and newcomers are a comfort to read..well except for Aunt Rona who somehow arrives and takes their house over. But anyhow as all these books go theres happy endings all around, including mistaken and real romance, budding friendships and cute characters.
A quote I liked from one of Mr. Grace's sermons:
"The best way to plant happiness is to do at least one thing every day to make one person happier, and to do it for God."
Of course it was a good book. It always is. Touch of a meandering dream of course but I wouldn't have it any other way. What I would like to have is less cowardice on the ending style. -_-
The three of the four Grace girls (Liz, Sal and Tilly) are delightful in their own ways (feel the title is a little misleading as the fourth, Addie, is barely in the book) along with their father the kindly vicar. Their interactions with the numerous people in the village and newcomers are a comfort to read..well except for Aunt Rona who somehow arrives and takes their house over. But anyhow as all these books go theres happy endings all around, including mistaken and real romance, budding friendships and cute characters.
A quote I liked from one of Mr. Grace's sermons:
"The best way to plant happiness is to do at least one thing every day to make one person happier, and to do it for God."
August 10, 2022
Aunque la srta. Buncle ya no está, no se la extraña nada.
Después de leerme los anteriores libros de la serie puedo decir que 'Las cuatro Gracias' tiene la frescura del primero.
Si os gustan las historias costumbristas de enredos, con fina ironía y con líos amorosos tenéis que leerla.
Después de leerme los anteriores libros de la serie puedo decir que 'Las cuatro Gracias' tiene la frescura del primero.
Si os gustan las historias costumbristas de enredos, con fina ironía y con líos amorosos tenéis que leerla.
August 19, 2020
4 Stars.
Another enjoyable read from D.E. Stevenson.
Another enjoyable read from D.E. Stevenson.
January 26, 2013
This is the 4th book in the loosely connected series that started with Miss Buncle. I have enjoyed all these books but this one really resonated with me for whatever reason. I think it reminded me of the best parts of Little Women with the interactions between the four sisters and I picture Mr. George as being very similar to Anthony Hopkins in the movie Shadowlands. I read several passages aloud to friends and went to look for my own copy on the used book market. Alas, this seems to be one of the popular, expensive ones. I did pick up a few others that were less expensive since I have liked Ms. Stevenson's writing so much. I only hope that Sourcebooks picked up the rights to this one and will republish it soon as they have with Miss Buncle and Miss Buncle Married.
February 7, 2017
The vicar of Chevis Green is a widower with four daughters, each of whom is splendidly drawn by Stevenson with her own personality and challenges. Addie is serving the war effort by living and working in London. Liz is a "land girl", serving as a farm hand in place of a young man who has gone off to fight. Sal and Tilly live at home, helping their father with his parish responsibilities. Though a couple of the girls have love interests, this book cannot be classified as a romance. It doesn't really have much of a plot either. It's just a splendid recounting of every day life in an English town where people are trying to make the best of difficult times.
The friendly conversations, the bravery through hardships, and the literate dialogue make this book a treat.
The friendly conversations, the bravery through hardships, and the literate dialogue make this book a treat.
April 23, 2024
This one feels like quintessential D.E. Stevenson - lovable main characters, quirky villagers, a little romance, some misunderstandings. This would have been 5 stars but I feel like some of the storylines needed more flushing out. Particularly Tilly’s and her feelings about one of her sister’s beau. That was never fully explained. But overall, this was a lovely little read and I flew through the pages. Read this one after you’ve read the first three in the Miss Buncle series for full enjoyment.
April 6, 2015
Make yourself a cup of tea, and settle down for a cozy English village read! A charming tale.
April 17, 2020
So soothing and kind and gentle...I had to stop myself from turning back to page 1 and starting it all over again.
April 14, 2019
*3,5
Una novela deliciosa, divertida con unos personajes encantadores. Se puede decir que es un libro con una trama que no sucede gran cosa, la autora nos muestra la vida en un pequeño pueblo inglés en la década de los 40. Con sus cotilleos, los pequeños dramas (que para los lectores nos pueden parecer absurdos), sus amores y desamores.
Las cuatro protagonistas, las cuatro hijas del reverendo Grace, son muy divertidas, unos personajes muy reales. Con sus conversaciones, cada una con un carácter diferente pero muy leales entre ellas. Y con una forma de pensar muy especial, que la autora la describe como <> .
El libro abarca un año de la vida de las hermanas Grace y de algunos de los habitantes de Chevis Green, y de algunos de los invitados que pasan por la vicaría. La tía Rona que planta en casa de su cuñado, huyendo de los bombardeos que asola Londres, metiéndose e intentando manipular la vida de todo el mundo que vive e la vicaría. William Single un arqueólogo, algo torpe y tímido, que se instala durante un tiempo en casa de los Grace mientras estudia un yacimiento romano cercano, se convierte en un aliado inestimable para las hermanas para combatir los intentos de manipulación de la tía Rona. Roderick Herd, un soldado que visita a menudo la vicaría y que no queda muy claro que hermana es la que le interesa.
Aunque la trama transcurre durante la IIGM no tiene un papel importante, de vez en cuando la autora nos hace alguna referencia, pero sobre todo como afecta a la vida cotidiana.
Es una comedia muy inglesa. Es el cuarto volumen de la serie Señorita Buncle pero se puede leer perfectamente sin haber leído las tres anteriores. En este libro la señorita Buncle es un personaje que no tiene ningún protagonismo. Se puede decir que es un spin-off.
Una novela deliciosa, divertida con unos personajes encantadores. Se puede decir que es un libro con una trama que no sucede gran cosa, la autora nos muestra la vida en un pequeño pueblo inglés en la década de los 40. Con sus cotilleos, los pequeños dramas (que para los lectores nos pueden parecer absurdos), sus amores y desamores.
Las cuatro protagonistas, las cuatro hijas del reverendo Grace, son muy divertidas, unos personajes muy reales. Con sus conversaciones, cada una con un carácter diferente pero muy leales entre ellas. Y con una forma de pensar muy especial, que la autora la describe como <> .
El libro abarca un año de la vida de las hermanas Grace y de algunos de los habitantes de Chevis Green, y de algunos de los invitados que pasan por la vicaría. La tía Rona que planta en casa de su cuñado, huyendo de los bombardeos que asola Londres, metiéndose e intentando manipular la vida de todo el mundo que vive e la vicaría. William Single un arqueólogo, algo torpe y tímido, que se instala durante un tiempo en casa de los Grace mientras estudia un yacimiento romano cercano, se convierte en un aliado inestimable para las hermanas para combatir los intentos de manipulación de la tía Rona. Roderick Herd, un soldado que visita a menudo la vicaría y que no queda muy claro que hermana es la que le interesa.
Aunque la trama transcurre durante la IIGM no tiene un papel importante, de vez en cuando la autora nos hace alguna referencia, pero sobre todo como afecta a la vida cotidiana.
Es una comedia muy inglesa. Es el cuarto volumen de la serie Señorita Buncle pero se puede leer perfectamente sin haber leído las tres anteriores. En este libro la señorita Buncle es un personaje que no tiene ningún protagonismo. Se puede decir que es un spin-off.
February 9, 2017
A happy read. I do enjoy D.E. Stevenson books. It's called the Four Graces, but it's really about 3 sisters as the 4th is out of town during much of the book. The story takes place in an idyllic English village during WWII - but the focus is on the Grace family, not the war. The story picks up where the last of the Buncle books left off. As with the 3rd book - you don't need to have read the others to read this one. You may want to hop back to the 3rd after reading this, however, as the story is alluded to briefly.
December 22, 2021
Another gentle and enjoyable read. Recommended for established fans of DES that want to spend more time in her world.
February 4, 2016
The Four Graces
1946. Published as if the war is not yet over.
So delightful. Can be read as "Miss Buncle #4" or can be read alone. I did enjoy revisiting some of the Buncle characters.
I'm going to experiment a little (I just found a library with LOTS of D. E. Stevenson). I want to know if the earlier works, especially the war years books, are substantially better than the later ones. So far, I agree with that.
I didn't LOVE "The Two Mrs. Abbots" (Miss Buncle #3) nearly as much as the first two. This one brought the love and delight all back. It was wonderful and I enjoyed the entire thing UNTIL THE END. Not that the end wasn't okay, I guess, but poor Tilly is totally without closure. When a person is the first character you make friends with in a book and then she’s forgotten at the end it’s unsatisfying. I don't know that this author knows how to do an ending, and I can't blame her, I don't know that I could either.
Some really nice little thoughts in this book.
"You're interested in people!" said Tilly...
"What could be more interesting?"
"Some people like books better, or --or things."
"Books are people," smiled Miss Marks. “In every book worth reading, the author is there to meet you, to establish contact with you. He takes you into his confidence and reveals his thoughts to you.” (10)
--
“…but perhaps the best time of al in a garden is the planning time, when the gardener sees it bare and empty and plans the arrangement of his flowers, for it is then that he is using his imagination and looking forward to the summer flowering.”
Mr. Grace leaned upon the edge of his pulpit and continued, in a lower voice, an intimate, conversational tone. “But it wouldn’t be much good for a man to plan his garden, to say to himself, ‘It would be nice to have hollyhocks in that corner and lupins in front, and a trellis with sweet peas over there…and it would be a good idea to plant stock near the sitting room window so that we can smell their sweetness on a summer evening.’ No, he’s got to sow his seeds and water them. He’s got to keep the beds weeded and free from slugs. Life is like that, too. We need faith—just as a gardener needs faith when he plans his garden and sows his seeds—and we need work. We can all do our part to make our little patch in the garden of life gay with flowers. Let’s plant happiness in our little patch; it has such a sweet smell on a summer evening. Yes, but how can I plant it, you’ll say. The best way to plant happiness is to do at least one thing every day to make one person happier, and to do it for God. That shouldn’t be difficult. We can all do that. Happiness grows best that way, and it’s a plant that seeds itself in the right kind of soil. We shall find it growing in our own hearts if we sow it freely—growing and flowering not only in the summer, but all through the year…” (57)
--
“Sal means funny peculiar, not funny ha-ha,” said Liz, smiling. (179)
--
One sister is feeling a little bit disgruntled about another sister being married and all the craziness that went before it.
“What about me? Said Tilly to herself with frightful cynicism. Why was I left out of everything? He saw me first, didn’t he? It’s a pity he isn’t a Mormon, so that he could have us all!” (202)
I always find a good-natured Mormon jab amusing.
1946. Published as if the war is not yet over.
So delightful. Can be read as "Miss Buncle #4" or can be read alone. I did enjoy revisiting some of the Buncle characters.
I'm going to experiment a little (I just found a library with LOTS of D. E. Stevenson). I want to know if the earlier works, especially the war years books, are substantially better than the later ones. So far, I agree with that.
I didn't LOVE "The Two Mrs. Abbots" (Miss Buncle #3) nearly as much as the first two. This one brought the love and delight all back. It was wonderful and I enjoyed the entire thing UNTIL THE END. Not that the end wasn't okay, I guess, but poor Tilly is totally without closure. When a person is the first character you make friends with in a book and then she’s forgotten at the end it’s unsatisfying. I don't know that this author knows how to do an ending, and I can't blame her, I don't know that I could either.
Some really nice little thoughts in this book.
"You're interested in people!" said Tilly...
"What could be more interesting?"
"Some people like books better, or --or things."
"Books are people," smiled Miss Marks. “In every book worth reading, the author is there to meet you, to establish contact with you. He takes you into his confidence and reveals his thoughts to you.” (10)
--
“…but perhaps the best time of al in a garden is the planning time, when the gardener sees it bare and empty and plans the arrangement of his flowers, for it is then that he is using his imagination and looking forward to the summer flowering.”
Mr. Grace leaned upon the edge of his pulpit and continued, in a lower voice, an intimate, conversational tone. “But it wouldn’t be much good for a man to plan his garden, to say to himself, ‘It would be nice to have hollyhocks in that corner and lupins in front, and a trellis with sweet peas over there…and it would be a good idea to plant stock near the sitting room window so that we can smell their sweetness on a summer evening.’ No, he’s got to sow his seeds and water them. He’s got to keep the beds weeded and free from slugs. Life is like that, too. We need faith—just as a gardener needs faith when he plans his garden and sows his seeds—and we need work. We can all do our part to make our little patch in the garden of life gay with flowers. Let’s plant happiness in our little patch; it has such a sweet smell on a summer evening. Yes, but how can I plant it, you’ll say. The best way to plant happiness is to do at least one thing every day to make one person happier, and to do it for God. That shouldn’t be difficult. We can all do that. Happiness grows best that way, and it’s a plant that seeds itself in the right kind of soil. We shall find it growing in our own hearts if we sow it freely—growing and flowering not only in the summer, but all through the year…” (57)
--
“Sal means funny peculiar, not funny ha-ha,” said Liz, smiling. (179)
--
One sister is feeling a little bit disgruntled about another sister being married and all the craziness that went before it.
“What about me? Said Tilly to herself with frightful cynicism. Why was I left out of everything? He saw me first, didn’t he? It’s a pity he isn’t a Mormon, so that he could have us all!” (202)
I always find a good-natured Mormon jab amusing.
March 22, 2021
I was asking around for recos of what Stevenson to read next, and before I got any responses, I checked Carol's Goodreads and saw she'd rated this one highest, so that decided it.
The very best part of this book is that the villainess of the piece, a bossy, boorish, busybody aunt, is named...Rona! Who knew ol' D.E. was a prophetess?
The part I liked least is my great frustration with just about every English book of at least the past couple of centuries (Austen, Gaskell, Herriot, etc., etc.)—weak, ineffectual, sentimental clergy. Mr. Grace needed to preach a nice, thorough series on the sin of envy, but instead sent one of his daughters to smooth the ruffled feathers of a parishioner who'd gotten offended over a flower arrangement. Her pettiness was placated rather than corrected. Sorry, bud...that ain't loving the sheep.
I liked the girls, I liked the romances, but I'm afraid I didn't love the book quite as much as Carol did.
Narrator was great.
The very best part of this book is that the villainess of the piece, a bossy, boorish, busybody aunt, is named...Rona! Who knew ol' D.E. was a prophetess?
The part I liked least is my great frustration with just about every English book of at least the past couple of centuries (Austen, Gaskell, Herriot, etc., etc.)—weak, ineffectual, sentimental clergy. Mr. Grace needed to preach a nice, thorough series on the sin of envy, but instead sent one of his daughters to smooth the ruffled feathers of a parishioner who'd gotten offended over a flower arrangement. Her pettiness was placated rather than corrected. Sorry, bud...that ain't loving the sheep.
I liked the girls, I liked the romances, but I'm afraid I didn't love the book quite as much as Carol did.
Narrator was great.
March 16, 2020
Over the years I have come to know the author DE Stevenson through the re release of her novels. Miss Buncle's book has been one of my favorites. I recently procured The Four Graces and The Baker's Daughter. At this time of Panic due to the Corona virus it is nice to visit an English village where the people's problems are similar as they deal with WW2, rationed food and blackouts. As the English say, Keep Calm and Carry On. This book is about Parson Grace and his four daughters who are growing up and moving on with their lives. Of course there are complications along the way, the main one being an undesired house guest who puts every one at sixes and sevens. Not the Great Novel but very cozy and lovely with calming overtones.
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