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Five Windows
Set in the same Scottish Border country as Music in the Hills and Winter and Rough Weather, this story is seen through the eyes of somoene born and bred amongst the bold, round border hills. David Kirke's childhood is sheltered, his nature is gentle and peaceable; he is no hero of romance but a human being with faults and failings which lead him into trouble when he adventures into the world to seek his fortune. The background of the book are the hills of home and the noise and bustle of London; in the foreground are the people, alive, vigorous and full of responsibility, who play their parts in the shaping of David's life.
319 pages
First published January 1, 1953
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About the author
D.E. Stevenson
67 books622 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 67 reviews
September 17, 2020
A great D.E. Stevenson read...
Set in Scotland and London, 1940s-50s.
This is the life of David Kirke from the age of nine to the early twenties. His life is framed by five different views out five different windows at places he lives during that time.
The first window is in his parents' home in rural Scotland. This is an agricultural life, pre-World War II, and David is best friends with a shepherd who lets him help with the lambs and teaches him how to make beautiful furniture. He plays with three neighbor girls and picks up on the puzzling tension in their family. At an early age, David also discovers he has a gift for writing, and his mother treasures up all his childish stories.
The second window is at his uncle's house in Edinburgh, where he attends school.
The third window is in a boarding-house in London, where he goes to live alone while working in a legal office. It's at this point in the story that your respect for David's character really grows. He's extremely nice, but he's also extremely smart, and he stands his ground rather than get "taken in" by the machinations of people who would just use him. He gives them a chance, but he doesn't let them ruin him. (In a different type of book, an author would allow David's intelligence to dim while he gets into debt and entanglements so that he can learn a lesson at the end. I'm SO GLAD D.E. Stevenson doesn't rely on that sort of cheap formula in this story. David is a character who has a backbone and a common-sense morality; he doesn't see the need to soften his standards for the sake of just being polite, or keeping fake friends. I wanted to stand up and cheer, because how often in fiction do you see a super-nice guy who also has a backbone? Lots of times the nice ones are a bit gullible.)
The fourth window is at his new flat he moves to, which is over top of a bookstore , (whoa!) with an awesome landlord that he makes immediate friends with. Now he's able to have some time for his old hobby of writing, which just may turn out to be more significant than he thought...
At this point he's also able to take a quick trip back to his parents' home in Scotland, where he continues to show how discerning he is when the evil twin of one of his best friends tries to pull some shenanigans, and he's totally not taken in. (In the afore-mentioned "other" type of book, this would have created romantic tension and miscommunication that would have lasted another hundred pages, but not here, thanks very much!)
The fifth window is in a darling little house on the outskirts of London that needs renovating.
(Read "The Tall Stranger" after this one, it has two of the same characters and ties up their story nicely. )
Set in Scotland and London, 1940s-50s.
This is the life of David Kirke from the age of nine to the early twenties. His life is framed by five different views out five different windows at places he lives during that time.
The first window is in his parents' home in rural Scotland. This is an agricultural life, pre-World War II, and David is best friends with a shepherd who lets him help with the lambs and teaches him how to make beautiful furniture. He plays with three neighbor girls and picks up on the puzzling tension in their family. At an early age, David also discovers he has a gift for writing, and his mother treasures up all his childish stories.
The second window is at his uncle's house in Edinburgh, where he attends school.
The third window is in a boarding-house in London, where he goes to live alone while working in a legal office. It's at this point in the story that your respect for David's character really grows. He's extremely nice, but he's also extremely smart, and he stands his ground rather than get "taken in" by the machinations of people who would just use him. He gives them a chance, but he doesn't let them ruin him. (In a different type of book, an author would allow David's intelligence to dim while he gets into debt and entanglements so that he can learn a lesson at the end. I'm SO GLAD D.E. Stevenson doesn't rely on that sort of cheap formula in this story. David is a character who has a backbone and a common-sense morality; he doesn't see the need to soften his standards for the sake of just being polite, or keeping fake friends. I wanted to stand up and cheer, because how often in fiction do you see a super-nice guy who also has a backbone? Lots of times the nice ones are a bit gullible.)
The fourth window is at his new flat he moves to, which is over top of a bookstore , (whoa!) with an awesome landlord that he makes immediate friends with. Now he's able to have some time for his old hobby of writing, which just may turn out to be more significant than he thought...
At this point he's also able to take a quick trip back to his parents' home in Scotland, where he continues to show how discerning he is when the evil twin of one of his best friends tries to pull some shenanigans, and he's totally not taken in. (In the afore-mentioned "other" type of book, this would have created romantic tension and miscommunication that would have lasted another hundred pages, but not here, thanks very much!)
The fifth window is in a darling little house on the outskirts of London that needs renovating.
(Read "The Tall Stranger" after this one, it has two of the same characters and ties up their story nicely. )
February 28, 2020
David Kirke, the only son of a vicar and his wife, grew up in a quiet country town in Scotland and moves to London to begin his career. Each of the windows in the title describes the view from his various places of residence. In each location he learns a valuable lesson.
What I loved most about the book was watching David "make do" on very little money. Instead of complaining or borrowing, he made a game out of his poverty to stretch every penny. It is a hobby my own mother taught me and I was tickled to read of some of his tricks.
This is a book about second chances. For people and for houses. (If you know anything about Stevenson's books, the houses are almost human!) I thoroughly enjoyed this new-to-me book and look forward to re-reading it in the future.
What I loved most about the book was watching David "make do" on very little money. Instead of complaining or borrowing, he made a game out of his poverty to stretch every penny. It is a hobby my own mother taught me and I was tickled to read of some of his tricks.
This is a book about second chances. For people and for houses. (If you know anything about Stevenson's books, the houses are almost human!) I thoroughly enjoyed this new-to-me book and look forward to re-reading it in the future.
January 27, 2022
This one was a slow start for me, but by the end I found it very engaging and satisfying. Her novels are real comfort reads.
April 18, 2022
Between the 1930s and about 1970, D. E. Stevenson wrote a great many novels that pretty much define the cozy English village life genre. Her characters are mostly nice, decent folk coping with everyday life and the challenges wrought by the upheavals of those years. Five Windows is pretty typical of the whole, except for the fact that the central character is male.
David Kirke is the only child of a minister and his wife serving in a small Scottish village. We meet him first as a young boy, and follow his life into his mid-twenties. The story is a relatively uneventful coming-of-age tale: we start in the village, follow him (briefly) to school in Edinburgh, skip over his war service, and move on to a clerking job in London, from which he escapes because of his love of writing. There is a typically understated romance, a few quiet lessons learned, and a happy ending.
David is a pleasant enough companion on this modest journey; though a bit of a prig and as dense about people as most young men are, he has kind impulses and a modest demeanor. Some of the other characters come to life but others feel like stock figures. Overall, the book was pleasant enough but didn’t deeply move me.
I discovered D. E. Stevenson in my twenties, I believe, but I take it as a mark of her middling skills that although I have accumulated several of her books over the years she has never stirred the “I must have them all!” collector’s impulse in me, while several of her contemporaries have. I think the book of hers I have enjoyed the most is Vittoria Cottage, and as by her own admission its sequel, Music in the Hills, is considered one of her best, I may give that one a try.
David Kirke is the only child of a minister and his wife serving in a small Scottish village. We meet him first as a young boy, and follow his life into his mid-twenties. The story is a relatively uneventful coming-of-age tale: we start in the village, follow him (briefly) to school in Edinburgh, skip over his war service, and move on to a clerking job in London, from which he escapes because of his love of writing. There is a typically understated romance, a few quiet lessons learned, and a happy ending.
David is a pleasant enough companion on this modest journey; though a bit of a prig and as dense about people as most young men are, he has kind impulses and a modest demeanor. Some of the other characters come to life but others feel like stock figures. Overall, the book was pleasant enough but didn’t deeply move me.
I discovered D. E. Stevenson in my twenties, I believe, but I take it as a mark of her middling skills that although I have accumulated several of her books over the years she has never stirred the “I must have them all!” collector’s impulse in me, while several of her contemporaries have. I think the book of hers I have enjoyed the most is Vittoria Cottage, and as by her own admission its sequel, Music in the Hills, is considered one of her best, I may give that one a try.
January 27, 2022
This seems like D.E. Stevenson’s take on a first-person narrated, David Copperfield-like story with her own delightful, 20th century style. I loved it! But DES is one of my very favorite authors, so I expected nothing less. I had a profound experience of sheer delight in the middle of reading this book. (One of the scenes in Covent Garden.) I can always count on DES for stories with characters who leap off the page and that explore daily human life with great understanding.
David Kirke is such a winsome narrator. Just like his Dickensian counterpart, this David has a lot of growing up to do. He’s a sensitive little boy who sees the best in others. He’s naive especially when he moves to London as a young man, but he has a high moral code, a basic sense of kindness to others that makes him a joy to read about, even in his struggles with his peers as a teenager and young man. My favorite part of the book is when he strikes out on his own in London. There was a scene that made me laugh so hard.
The plot structure with the five windows is clever, especially because David becomes a writer, so his observations are crucial to his personal and vocational development. The book has some great side characters as well, like David’s mother, Malcolm, Cliffe, Aunt Etta, Mr. Coe, Jan, Noyes, and more. Malcolm is especially dear. The only thing I wish were different is that we got more of David’s mother. I’d love her to have a book of her own. All around, this was a lovely book.
David Kirke is such a winsome narrator. Just like his Dickensian counterpart, this David has a lot of growing up to do. He’s a sensitive little boy who sees the best in others. He’s naive especially when he moves to London as a young man, but he has a high moral code, a basic sense of kindness to others that makes him a joy to read about, even in his struggles with his peers as a teenager and young man. My favorite part of the book is when he strikes out on his own in London. There was a scene that made me laugh so hard.
The plot structure with the five windows is clever, especially because David becomes a writer, so his observations are crucial to his personal and vocational development. The book has some great side characters as well, like David’s mother, Malcolm, Cliffe, Aunt Etta, Mr. Coe, Jan, Noyes, and more. Malcolm is especially dear. The only thing I wish were different is that we got more of David’s mother. I’d love her to have a book of her own. All around, this was a lovely book.
May 24, 2014
It's hard to explain why I love D.E. Stevenson books so much except to say, they are like a watered-down (easy to read) version of Jane Austen: full of very human characters that we all recognize, facing problems that are believable and entertaining. Five Windows is a coming-of-age story about a young man who leaves his village in Scotland and moves alone to London. He has no university career in between school and work, so he grows up in a hurry. People disappoint him, but others save him from loneliness and frustration. He learns to be true to himself. In D.E. Stevenson's world, good people may not get every reward that they deserve, but they do achieve long lasting happiness, which is comforting.
April 9, 2024
I just wish Kindle would offer this book , in fact, all of her books. They are vanishing from libraries, the one I read is crumbling on the edges. Loved David!
*** This is coming to Amazon on Feb 1,2020!!
*** This is coming to Amazon on Feb 1,2020!!
May 8, 2020
As i said partway through was not enjoying this one as much as other of her books. David was an interesting character but i did not like the way he put up with being pushed around and taken advantage of. The closer to the end the more backbone he showed.
October 5, 2023
D. E. Stevenson wrote a bunch of light romances, generally set in Scotland in the 30s to 50s - all of which are charming and cozy if a bit predictable. They remind me of Golden Age mysteries without the murder. And then she wrote a handful of other books - sometimes romances, but much less predictable. The latter category includes Miss Buncle’s Book, The Mrs. Tim books, and this (Five Windows), among others.
February 24, 2022
Another Dean Street Press re-release of another utterly delightful novel. Read more on my blog here. http://tcl-bookreviews.com/2022/02/22...
March 31, 2020
2.5 stars. Not my favorite D.E. Stevenson book but really loved the fifth window part which includes two of my favorite characters from "The Tall Stranger". The other parts reminded me of "Sarah Morris Remembers" which is also not one of my favorites.
Anyway, can't beat the price as it was a Kindle freebie! :-)
Anyway, can't beat the price as it was a Kindle freebie! :-)
September 7, 2021
Books like this are so rare today. A soft, gentle story that draws you in until you can’t put it down. It was like taking a walk back in time that was so needed from our current world of hate and uncertainty.
February 20, 2014
One of my favorites.
August 30, 2014
A very old-fashioned, gentle novel about a young man learning to trust his own perceptions, set in Scotland and London.
April 27, 2022
Charming, captivating and gemütlich!
November 6, 2024
Possibly my favorite DES novel ever. Love the hero and how he sees the world. A quiet, satisfying story.
March 24, 2025
This story is narrated by David Kirke, who is nine years old when we first meet him, a minister’s son living in a small village in Scotland. We learn about his mostly happy childhood, and the people who are important to him, especially his delightful mother, Margaret. And then there are their neighbours, the Lorimers, a farming family whose three daughters are David’s playmates. During the course of the book we see David in five different settings, as he goes from the country to school in Edinburgh, and then to work in London. In each place where he lives the view from his window is very important to him, as he is a very observant person.
This is a charming story. Nothing very dramatic happens as we follow David from his childhood until he is a young man in his 20s. But his observations of the places and people he encounters are delightful. I particularly enjoyed his descriptions of Covent Garden market in London,which I remember from my own childhood. And his experiences in the dreadful boarding house are very funny, one feels his relief when he is able to escape from it. David is a good, decent person, but never priggish or boring. This is one of those books which are just a pleasure to read without the need for any big dramas.
This is a charming story. Nothing very dramatic happens as we follow David from his childhood until he is a young man in his 20s. But his observations of the places and people he encounters are delightful. I particularly enjoyed his descriptions of Covent Garden market in London,which I remember from my own childhood. And his experiences in the dreadful boarding house are very funny, one feels his relief when he is able to escape from it. David is a good, decent person, but never priggish or boring. This is one of those books which are just a pleasure to read without the need for any big dramas.
July 5, 2021
D. E. Stevenson's "Five Windows" gives a view from 5 different windows of a young man's life, a true bildungsroman story which reminded me of couple of stories. Charles Dickens' "David Copperfield" in the trials and tribulations of a young man finding his way. The scene from Mrs. Hall boarding house reminded me of Balzac's "Papa Goriot" boarding house that Rastingnac stayed at in his poverty. The inmates from these stories had the same pettiness , gloom and self centeredness. I absolutely love Stevenson's novels and I truly hope they all come to Kindle. The setting takes place a little before World War 2 in Haines, Scotland. I wish I could visit and especially be able to time travel back to earlier times and escape these modern depressing ones, not like the past is perfect. I loved that David's upbringing and his parents teaching him how to be a kind young man. One of the saddest parts was about Malcolm, which made me cry.
I loved the religious, though brief, element, after I read this passage I re-read Timothy and Mr. Kirke (D.E. Stevenson) which I looked at Timothy in a better angle.
“ Do thy diligence to come before winter,” repeated Father. “ Paul was old and weary and he felt the approach of winter as old people still do. He felt the approach of death. He did not dread his passing for he knew that he would obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory, but he longed to see the beloved face of Timothy before he died.”
Story in short- David's life, his family and his friends he meets in his journey through his young life to young adulthood.
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David is 9 & he looks to catch some fish for the family breakfast and finds help from his shepherd friend, Malcolm. David Kirke's father is a preacher and his father is much older than his mother, who is 18 years older than David. Mr. Kirke is a peaceful man and unaware that the children make fun of his inquisitive ways. David's father is mocked by a larger boy and he must fight, though he be a loser at the end of it. Mrs. Kirke would have liked to have a little girl so David was not an only child. The Lorimers' farm is nearby and has 3 girls, Freda, around David's age and the twins. Mr. Lorimer is surley because he wanted a son. Malcolm helps David build a storage box from his mother which turned out lovely. Malcolm tells David to keep his mother's locket for him until he comes back from he war, it is 1939. David helps out at the garage and is friendly with a half wit man, who is a genius with cars. David finds out that Malcom has been killed in the war and he is overcomed. He does not want to forget his friend and decides to write everything down that he could remember. He also promises to keep the locket forever. Freda has to watch the twins, David convinces Freda to bring them their cottage. The twins are 8 & Freda is not happy at all, David hides with Janet, Freda and Elise are not able to find them. David tells Janet to keep their hiding place a secret. Uncle Matthew has come after an illness to get good air. James is David's father and his brother, Matthew have a hard time getting along due to their differences. Matthew offers to help with school in Edinburgh. The Kirkes have a hard time and thinking of David's education. David is living with Uncle Matthew, he is homesick but Uncle Matt has made it very comfortable and gives him companionship. Aunt Etta is happy when David comes to visit her, feeling a little worried about his "daft" aunt but the meeting is enjoyable and he learns more about the family. Uncle Matt sends a note for Aunt Etta to reply but she knows it is about selling her cottage which he refuses, and she was right but refuses to sell. Uncle Matt is angry with David because he did not bring a note from Aunt Etta about the cottage, only verbal response. David's mother told him that only children are more sensitive, and David feels quite upset and afraid at his uncle's behavior. Uncle Matt has a school friend, Mr. Blackworth who is quite a frequent visitor and has a nephew, Miles, David's age, they become fast friends. Miles wants to move to London for a job and have David join him but Uncle Matt looks to have David with him. Uncle Matt warms up for David being on his own and then coming into his firm, David suddenly feels kind of trapped. David has been in the service and is 20 now, he has a job in London and looks forward to rooming with Miles, but no further letters come to talk of the plans ahead. Being back in Haines and seeing his parents and his love for Haines, he would have liked to farm but not having the money makes that impossible. Mrs. Kirke finally has David call Miles about the date and place for which they will live, Miles says it is all off and he is to study in Edinburgh. David is upset and with his mom's help, they find a boarding house. David arrives at the boarding house and meets the other boarders and it is not very friendly to each other. David listens to Ned who sells cars and afterwards he is more depressed from his continual depressing talk. His room is not very appealing and he has no view. David has no friends at the office and the people at the boarding house are only interested in themselves and they are negative. Beryl Collingham, the actress, convinces David to take her out to dinner at and inexpensive place which is not so and wants to do it again. Ned wants David to contribute to Beryl's birthday dinner, so seeing that he might have to give more, since he has lent money to Ned before and never received anything back. The group drinks a lot and makes and Beryl makes fun of David from the things he told her at their last dinner. The waiter tells them they must leave because of all the ruckus. David is going to drive but returns for Beryl's purse and returns to find the car gone. David is happy to be rid of the group and walks home. Ned sees David and apologies for leaving him behind but sees David is upset and did not enjoy the party. In the end Ned got more money out of David, and David knows he must end this giving of money. Beryl comes to apologies but sees David forgives but no longer looks at her the same. He thought she was pretty but no more. David walks around and sees a bookstore with a room to let and decides to look at it. The room is perfect and peaceful but no furniture. The owner Mr. Cole will help him look for some used furniture. David tells the boarders he is leaving and Beryl comes into his room saying she is lonely and he locks her out. Mr. Coe helped buy the furniture and turn his attic flat into a home. After paying for the furniture and other things besides paying money that was not due to Mrs. Hall but to escape the other boarders, David has hardly any money for food. In watching the food markets and helping out, he was able to earn some vegetables. David's boss sees him eating in the office and questions him, after hearing the story he thought he ask David why he did not ask for an advance and David told him he wanted to do it on his own. David is surviving on the vegetables and bread. One night when he was leaving late from work he ran into Beryl, she was waiting for him. She told how unpleasant the boarding house was now and asked if he would have dinner or show his flat but David told her he had only a few pennies which Beryl refused to believe. She says she knows he has money and that he is horrid, David let it pass because he could not maintain the money relationship nor want to with this girl. Mr. Heatly invited David to have supper with him and his wife and enjoys the company. Mrs. Kirke hears that he has moved out of the boarding house and she is worried, she decides to come to London and David has her stay at his flat. She is amazed to hear about him being miserable in the boarding house and hopes he will never again not tell them the truth. She asks about the actress and sees one reason his mother has come and worried. He tells her that she need not worry. David is enjoying taking his mother around London which he asked for an advance to entertain his mother, which nobody believed and the other clerks teased him. After she left, David started to go to the vegetable/ farmer's market again and Mr. Smith gives him a job with setting prices which he does before work. David sees the buyer at the market again and they become friends. Teddy has a finance in Korea. David becomes friendly with the fellows at the office and he has gone out on dates with them. One time they were at a restaurant and Ned approaches David to introduce his friends and join Beryl and others at another table but David refuses. Having no money David is not able to go home. Mr. Coe asks him to keep shop and David agrees. Teddy reads one of David's stories and tells him about writing a book. Mr. Coe reads the whole thing but tells him it will not sell. David is refused by all publishers in London and sends it it to America. Teddy tells David that Paul is on leave and they are to be married. David is jealous about losing a friend, he is not in love with her, she would feel the same way if he married. David receives a letter from the American publisher wit a contract for his book plus a contract for future books. Being late for work, his boss calls him to his office and David tells him about the letter and gives him a name of a literary agent. David has come to Haines for his holiday and sees Janet all grown up. I have a feeling since that time they played hide and seek that Janet and David would marry, lets see. David comes home and Janet tells him she is going to London with some friends and they promise to visit each other. David tells his parents about his book. David visits the Lorimers and Freda and her father talk about David being a farmer. Could they be thinking that David should marry Freda? David sees that Freda is pretty but he has seen that pretty is not everything. Elsie is the same, really no life to her. Janet is not there but they discuss about her not going to London. David visited Uncle Matt, business is slow and it is best for David to stay where he is at, Matt looks older and his friend Cliffs he sees too. He also visits Aunt Etta and little changed. David listens to his father's sermon and sees were he has his writing talent. David and Mrs. Kirke want to talk to Janet alone but Elsie comes instead. They want to have Janet to live with her friends in London. Cliffe visits and tells about Helen, he wants to marry her. She is remote and David said he would want to marry a girl he would be comfortable with and finally Cliffe sees after spending the afternoon with Mrs. Kirke. David finds Malcolm's locket and places around his mother's neck. David finished his first novel and received 500 pounds for his book and a contract from an English publisher. David looked to Mr. Heatley for advise and was advised to take a 6 month holiday and see if the writing is workable. David visits Janet and her friends in their London flat. They have all read his book and liked it. Nell and Barbie were down on Janet's sisters looking to keep her home. They say at home Elsie is ill but David says his mother will look at see herself. David can not wait to see Janet again. Miles comes to see David and tells how much he regretted not going to London with him. He told of his quitting the lawyer thing and was to marry a girl but having no job prospects, her father told him no go. Finally Miles is interested in David to find out he is not a book store clerk but a writer and Miles thinks he could write a thriller. Mrs. Kirke looked in on Elsie and she is doing okay. Aunt Etta died of a heart attack. I bet she leaves her cottage to David. Uncle Matt's letter talked about Etta not having more money for he has been helping her without her knowing because she had a small income. Also Aunt Etta has given the cottage to David, it is run down and he should sell right away. Miles comes to David's party and likes Nell. David tells Janet she must stay in London as his mother suggested. David and Janet are to take a look at the cottage. Miles has finished his thriller which has taken him 23 hours and asks David to read it. David tries to be kind and tells him to have Mr. Randall, the agent read it. They look at the cottage in its total neglected but Jan can see it fixed up and David could live in it. Jan asks why not ask Freda for help and he says that it is not Freda's thing and Jan will help with Barbie too. Jan and David take a look at the house. It finally dawns on David that he loves Janet. The contractor has said the house is sound and he will start working with Jan's help. David loves Jan but is afraid to ruin their friendship. David buys flowers for Jan and blurted out that he loves her but she says they must make sure. I think she thinks he loves Freda? Barbie tells David that Janet has loved him for a long time. She is planning on going home and they wil keep her there, David must marry her now. David tells Jan they will marry. She tells of the family expect him to marry Freda and live to the farm but David say she does not days love Freda, they are just friends and doing so is a terrible thought, to be Jan's brother, he will be her husband and they will travel before returning to Haines. David wrote to his mother about all.
I bet Freda finds someone to marry but it seems that Elsie might go the way that Aunt Etta lived.
I loved the religious, though brief, element, after I read this passage I re-read Timothy and Mr. Kirke (D.E. Stevenson) which I looked at Timothy in a better angle.
“ Do thy diligence to come before winter,” repeated Father. “ Paul was old and weary and he felt the approach of winter as old people still do. He felt the approach of death. He did not dread his passing for he knew that he would obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory, but he longed to see the beloved face of Timothy before he died.”
Story in short- David's life, his family and his friends he meets in his journey through his young life to young adulthood.
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David is 9 & he looks to catch some fish for the family breakfast and finds help from his shepherd friend, Malcolm. David Kirke's father is a preacher and his father is much older than his mother, who is 18 years older than David. Mr. Kirke is a peaceful man and unaware that the children make fun of his inquisitive ways. David's father is mocked by a larger boy and he must fight, though he be a loser at the end of it. Mrs. Kirke would have liked to have a little girl so David was not an only child. The Lorimers' farm is nearby and has 3 girls, Freda, around David's age and the twins. Mr. Lorimer is surley because he wanted a son. Malcolm helps David build a storage box from his mother which turned out lovely. Malcolm tells David to keep his mother's locket for him until he comes back from he war, it is 1939. David helps out at the garage and is friendly with a half wit man, who is a genius with cars. David finds out that Malcom has been killed in the war and he is overcomed. He does not want to forget his friend and decides to write everything down that he could remember. He also promises to keep the locket forever. Freda has to watch the twins, David convinces Freda to bring them their cottage. The twins are 8 & Freda is not happy at all, David hides with Janet, Freda and Elise are not able to find them. David tells Janet to keep their hiding place a secret. Uncle Matthew has come after an illness to get good air. James is David's father and his brother, Matthew have a hard time getting along due to their differences. Matthew offers to help with school in Edinburgh. The Kirkes have a hard time and thinking of David's education. David is living with Uncle Matthew, he is homesick but Uncle Matt has made it very comfortable and gives him companionship. Aunt Etta is happy when David comes to visit her, feeling a little worried about his "daft" aunt but the meeting is enjoyable and he learns more about the family. Uncle Matt sends a note for Aunt Etta to reply but she knows it is about selling her cottage which he refuses, and she was right but refuses to sell. Uncle Matt is angry with David because he did not bring a note from Aunt Etta about the cottage, only verbal response. David's mother told him that only children are more sensitive, and David feels quite upset and afraid at his uncle's behavior. Uncle Matt has a school friend, Mr. Blackworth who is quite a frequent visitor and has a nephew, Miles, David's age, they become fast friends. Miles wants to move to London for a job and have David join him but Uncle Matt looks to have David with him. Uncle Matt warms up for David being on his own and then coming into his firm, David suddenly feels kind of trapped. David has been in the service and is 20 now, he has a job in London and looks forward to rooming with Miles, but no further letters come to talk of the plans ahead. Being back in Haines and seeing his parents and his love for Haines, he would have liked to farm but not having the money makes that impossible. Mrs. Kirke finally has David call Miles about the date and place for which they will live, Miles says it is all off and he is to study in Edinburgh. David is upset and with his mom's help, they find a boarding house. David arrives at the boarding house and meets the other boarders and it is not very friendly to each other. David listens to Ned who sells cars and afterwards he is more depressed from his continual depressing talk. His room is not very appealing and he has no view. David has no friends at the office and the people at the boarding house are only interested in themselves and they are negative. Beryl Collingham, the actress, convinces David to take her out to dinner at and inexpensive place which is not so and wants to do it again. Ned wants David to contribute to Beryl's birthday dinner, so seeing that he might have to give more, since he has lent money to Ned before and never received anything back. The group drinks a lot and makes and Beryl makes fun of David from the things he told her at their last dinner. The waiter tells them they must leave because of all the ruckus. David is going to drive but returns for Beryl's purse and returns to find the car gone. David is happy to be rid of the group and walks home. Ned sees David and apologies for leaving him behind but sees David is upset and did not enjoy the party. In the end Ned got more money out of David, and David knows he must end this giving of money. Beryl comes to apologies but sees David forgives but no longer looks at her the same. He thought she was pretty but no more. David walks around and sees a bookstore with a room to let and decides to look at it. The room is perfect and peaceful but no furniture. The owner Mr. Cole will help him look for some used furniture. David tells the boarders he is leaving and Beryl comes into his room saying she is lonely and he locks her out. Mr. Coe helped buy the furniture and turn his attic flat into a home. After paying for the furniture and other things besides paying money that was not due to Mrs. Hall but to escape the other boarders, David has hardly any money for food. In watching the food markets and helping out, he was able to earn some vegetables. David's boss sees him eating in the office and questions him, after hearing the story he thought he ask David why he did not ask for an advance and David told him he wanted to do it on his own. David is surviving on the vegetables and bread. One night when he was leaving late from work he ran into Beryl, she was waiting for him. She told how unpleasant the boarding house was now and asked if he would have dinner or show his flat but David told her he had only a few pennies which Beryl refused to believe. She says she knows he has money and that he is horrid, David let it pass because he could not maintain the money relationship nor want to with this girl. Mr. Heatly invited David to have supper with him and his wife and enjoys the company. Mrs. Kirke hears that he has moved out of the boarding house and she is worried, she decides to come to London and David has her stay at his flat. She is amazed to hear about him being miserable in the boarding house and hopes he will never again not tell them the truth. She asks about the actress and sees one reason his mother has come and worried. He tells her that she need not worry. David is enjoying taking his mother around London which he asked for an advance to entertain his mother, which nobody believed and the other clerks teased him. After she left, David started to go to the vegetable/ farmer's market again and Mr. Smith gives him a job with setting prices which he does before work. David sees the buyer at the market again and they become friends. Teddy has a finance in Korea. David becomes friendly with the fellows at the office and he has gone out on dates with them. One time they were at a restaurant and Ned approaches David to introduce his friends and join Beryl and others at another table but David refuses. Having no money David is not able to go home. Mr. Coe asks him to keep shop and David agrees. Teddy reads one of David's stories and tells him about writing a book. Mr. Coe reads the whole thing but tells him it will not sell. David is refused by all publishers in London and sends it it to America. Teddy tells David that Paul is on leave and they are to be married. David is jealous about losing a friend, he is not in love with her, she would feel the same way if he married. David receives a letter from the American publisher wit a contract for his book plus a contract for future books. Being late for work, his boss calls him to his office and David tells him about the letter and gives him a name of a literary agent. David has come to Haines for his holiday and sees Janet all grown up. I have a feeling since that time they played hide and seek that Janet and David would marry, lets see. David comes home and Janet tells him she is going to London with some friends and they promise to visit each other. David tells his parents about his book. David visits the Lorimers and Freda and her father talk about David being a farmer. Could they be thinking that David should marry Freda? David sees that Freda is pretty but he has seen that pretty is not everything. Elsie is the same, really no life to her. Janet is not there but they discuss about her not going to London. David visited Uncle Matt, business is slow and it is best for David to stay where he is at, Matt looks older and his friend Cliffs he sees too. He also visits Aunt Etta and little changed. David listens to his father's sermon and sees were he has his writing talent. David and Mrs. Kirke want to talk to Janet alone but Elsie comes instead. They want to have Janet to live with her friends in London. Cliffe visits and tells about Helen, he wants to marry her. She is remote and David said he would want to marry a girl he would be comfortable with and finally Cliffe sees after spending the afternoon with Mrs. Kirke. David finds Malcolm's locket and places around his mother's neck. David finished his first novel and received 500 pounds for his book and a contract from an English publisher. David looked to Mr. Heatley for advise and was advised to take a 6 month holiday and see if the writing is workable. David visits Janet and her friends in their London flat. They have all read his book and liked it. Nell and Barbie were down on Janet's sisters looking to keep her home. They say at home Elsie is ill but David says his mother will look at see herself. David can not wait to see Janet again. Miles comes to see David and tells how much he regretted not going to London with him. He told of his quitting the lawyer thing and was to marry a girl but having no job prospects, her father told him no go. Finally Miles is interested in David to find out he is not a book store clerk but a writer and Miles thinks he could write a thriller. Mrs. Kirke looked in on Elsie and she is doing okay. Aunt Etta died of a heart attack. I bet she leaves her cottage to David. Uncle Matt's letter talked about Etta not having more money for he has been helping her without her knowing because she had a small income. Also Aunt Etta has given the cottage to David, it is run down and he should sell right away. Miles comes to David's party and likes Nell. David tells Janet she must stay in London as his mother suggested. David and Janet are to take a look at the cottage. Miles has finished his thriller which has taken him 23 hours and asks David to read it. David tries to be kind and tells him to have Mr. Randall, the agent read it. They look at the cottage in its total neglected but Jan can see it fixed up and David could live in it. Jan asks why not ask Freda for help and he says that it is not Freda's thing and Jan will help with Barbie too. Jan and David take a look at the house. It finally dawns on David that he loves Janet. The contractor has said the house is sound and he will start working with Jan's help. David loves Jan but is afraid to ruin their friendship. David buys flowers for Jan and blurted out that he loves her but she says they must make sure. I think she thinks he loves Freda? Barbie tells David that Janet has loved him for a long time. She is planning on going home and they wil keep her there, David must marry her now. David tells Jan they will marry. She tells of the family expect him to marry Freda and live to the farm but David say she does not days love Freda, they are just friends and doing so is a terrible thought, to be Jan's brother, he will be her husband and they will travel before returning to Haines. David wrote to his mother about all.
I bet Freda finds someone to marry but it seems that Elsie might go the way that Aunt Etta lived.
February 8, 2020
It isn't that common for a male to be the main character in one of Stevenson's novels, but I thought she did a good job of writing from his point of view. It is interesting that one of the characters really likes Dickens, because there was something in this novel that reminded me a bit of David Copperfield, and now that I think about it, there are a few minor plot similarities, and the main character is named David. So maybe it was intentional. The novel is much happier, but there are some supporting characters that stuck me as 20th c. versions of Dickensian types (the boarding house keeper, the aunt and uncle, David's boss in London, David's careless young friend, the bookstore owner, David's young mother), so who knows.
All that aside, I particularly enjoyed this book, probably because of the way that Stevenson writes about the reason that David begins writing and the way that he develops as a writer. I wonder if any of it was autobiographical.
All that aside, I particularly enjoyed this book, probably because of the way that Stevenson writes about the reason that David begins writing and the way that he develops as a writer. I wonder if any of it was autobiographical.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2025
DE Stevenson is one of my favorite authors. In her author's note she says that this book was probably her most enjoyable one to write, but I think she improved her writing in subsequent books.
'Five Windows' is written from the perspective of a young boy, David, growing up in Scotland and later finding employment in London. He is quite dismayed by the cultural differences of living in a large city and the lack of character qualities he comes acorss and takes for granted from his own childhood.
I enjoyed reading "Five Windows" and it was a fast read.
'Five Windows' is written from the perspective of a young boy, David, growing up in Scotland and later finding employment in London. He is quite dismayed by the cultural differences of living in a large city and the lack of character qualities he comes acorss and takes for granted from his own childhood.
I enjoyed reading "Five Windows" and it was a fast read.
March 26, 2021
An old book but still fresh and hopeful
From his early youth David had a way with words this story follows his path from Haines to Edinburgh to London. Lovely pictures of life in England from the early forties an innocent but very believable view of how David turns his way with words into a really good life.
From his early youth David had a way with words this story follows his path from Haines to Edinburgh to London. Lovely pictures of life in England from the early forties an innocent but very believable view of how David turns his way with words into a really good life.
September 17, 2009
When I am inbetween books and feeling at a loss, I often pick up a battered copy of a D.E. Stevenson novel. Five windows was a quick easy read and a retreat to a world of fantasy where I have no personal worries.
January 27, 2021
New to me!
I thought I read all DE Stevenson’s books and this one was new tome. I love her writing. The characters are real people with flaws, weakness and joy, Not super beings who never make mistakes or have money issues.
I thought I read all DE Stevenson’s books and this one was new tome. I love her writing. The characters are real people with flaws, weakness and joy, Not super beings who never make mistakes or have money issues.
May 29, 2020
Wonderful peaceful book
Like one character said “ you know which person is good and which is evil”. Plus, Stevenson will improve your vocabulary.
Like one character said “ you know which person is good and which is evil”. Plus, Stevenson will improve your vocabulary.
June 6, 2020
Solid
Stevenson’s books are a treasure. Every one I’ve read has lifted my heart. They brighten my outlook on even the darkest days. This book is no exception.
Stevenson’s books are a treasure. Every one I’ve read has lifted my heart. They brighten my outlook on even the darkest days. This book is no exception.
May 17, 2021
Published 1953.
in the first "window, we follow young Davie Kirke, the nine year old and only child of small Scottish village of Haines' minister and his gentle wife, and his friendships with Freda Lorimer and her younger twin sisters, adventurous Janet and clinging Elsie, Malcolm the shepherd, and the very beginning of Davie's writing stories. The second window shows us naive Davie as he moves to Edinburgh to live with his father's bachelor solicitor brother, Uncle Matthew, to continue his education, get to know his ailing Aunt Etta, and make new and different friends. The third window takes Davie to London to work as a clerk in an office and take a room in a dingy boarding house inhabited by dour, unhappy, sponging people, like Ned and gold digging Beryl. His eyes are opened to the users of the world and he begins writing scaps of stories in his unhappy loneliness. By accident he discovers a fifth floor walkup flat over Mr Coe's bookshop which leads us into a much happier fourth Window as 20 year old David works in Covent Garden market below in early mornings beforw his clerking job to solve financial problems, there meets a new friend, 28 year old hotel employee, Teddy Freer, engaged to a gunner fighting in Korea. David begins writing every night. With his Inward Eye book turned down by London publishers, David finds an American publisher, gets a literary agent and an advance, and takes his first holiday back home. there he runs into rebellious Janet Lorimer, has tea with her proprietary sisters and parents, and returns to London angry that other people seem to have plans for his future and are preventing Janet freedom to find her own way. Two letters move us into the fifth window as Janet moves to London, rooms with former schoolmates who find her a job. David's Aunt Etta dies and leaves him her long vacant Green Birch cottage, which Jan, Nell and Barbara help renovate, David's second book is published and he and Jan make several important decisions about their lives.
in the first "window, we follow young Davie Kirke, the nine year old and only child of small Scottish village of Haines' minister and his gentle wife, and his friendships with Freda Lorimer and her younger twin sisters, adventurous Janet and clinging Elsie, Malcolm the shepherd, and the very beginning of Davie's writing stories. The second window shows us naive Davie as he moves to Edinburgh to live with his father's bachelor solicitor brother, Uncle Matthew, to continue his education, get to know his ailing Aunt Etta, and make new and different friends. The third window takes Davie to London to work as a clerk in an office and take a room in a dingy boarding house inhabited by dour, unhappy, sponging people, like Ned and gold digging Beryl. His eyes are opened to the users of the world and he begins writing scaps of stories in his unhappy loneliness. By accident he discovers a fifth floor walkup flat over Mr Coe's bookshop which leads us into a much happier fourth Window as 20 year old David works in Covent Garden market below in early mornings beforw his clerking job to solve financial problems, there meets a new friend, 28 year old hotel employee, Teddy Freer, engaged to a gunner fighting in Korea. David begins writing every night. With his Inward Eye book turned down by London publishers, David finds an American publisher, gets a literary agent and an advance, and takes his first holiday back home. there he runs into rebellious Janet Lorimer, has tea with her proprietary sisters and parents, and returns to London angry that other people seem to have plans for his future and are preventing Janet freedom to find her own way. Two letters move us into the fifth window as Janet moves to London, rooms with former schoolmates who find her a job. David's Aunt Etta dies and leaves him her long vacant Green Birch cottage, which Jan, Nell and Barbara help renovate, David's second book is published and he and Jan make several important decisions about their lives.
September 6, 2020
David Kirke's story is told chronologically as he moves from one place to another. Each time he has a different view from his window. The first is when he is growing up in the manse in Haines with his loving parents as their only child. Next he moves into his Uncle Matt's house so he can attend school. Then he lives in a boardinghouse in London which is the most unhappy time in his life. Fortunately David relocates to a flat which is five stories above a book store and makes friends with very nice people who care about him. His aunt bequeathed a neglected cottage just outside the city to David in her will. When he goes to look at it he realizes that although it needs work this is a very special place he can call his own. It was an interesting way to tell a story. David was the kind of character you come to love and hope he will find happiness in the end. The book did not disappoint.
July 14, 2024
Slow moving, episodic, and a bit hard to get into at first. A boy goes fishing, and...he goes fishing. That's chapter one. And so on.
However.
I keep coming back to a couple of the early lessons that the main character learns from his older sheep-keeping friend. There are some big life lessons in there, even if Stevenson doesn't seem to make as much of them later as she might.
And...I want to go live in the little flat over the bookstore in Covent Garden, even if it is five flights up and doesn't have a bathtub. Just saying.
"Light fiction," as D.E. Stevenson is usually labelled? Yes, of course. But there are bits you're going to come back to, and think about; and they're what make her books worthwhile.
However.
I keep coming back to a couple of the early lessons that the main character learns from his older sheep-keeping friend. There are some big life lessons in there, even if Stevenson doesn't seem to make as much of them later as she might.
And...I want to go live in the little flat over the bookstore in Covent Garden, even if it is five flights up and doesn't have a bathtub. Just saying.
"Light fiction," as D.E. Stevenson is usually labelled? Yes, of course. But there are bits you're going to come back to, and think about; and they're what make her books worthwhile.
May 11, 2020
This novel, in my opinion was not as enjoyable as many of my previous reads of this author’s books. First of all, it took me weeks of reading it at bedtime and falling asleep in the process, before I got fully engaged in the story. In hindsight it was a pleasant enough chronological narrative of a boy / man coming of age, moving to London as a naive country bumpkin from Scotland, and finding his way, and eventually love, of course. The five windows he had views through were his various dwelling places in his journey to adulthood. It was okay, but didn’t excite. I prefer her books that have women as her main characters, I find her descriptions of their emotions are more credible.
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