Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

December 2025 discussion thread for The Moonspinners by Mary Stewart

Would love to know how many remember watching the movie on The Wonderful World of Disney as a kid? Hayley Mills starred. and I was a big fan of her. I would have been 9 when it was released in 1976, and I loved it, it really appealed to my young adventure-loving soul. I remember being surprised much later when I found Mary Stewart had written the book it was loosely based on.

Whenever I read this I feel like I've tramped the hills in Crete myself, though I've never been there. I love Stewart's ability to create a sense of place with the sun, the birds, and the thyme beneath our feet. I also appreciate her understanding of the long reach history can have in our lives. I'm looking forward to seeing how others react to this. :)

I think that is one of her strengths, Teri, she really knows how to give you a sense of place. The book and movie have only a little in common (I happened to love the movie as well, I would have only been 15, but I have watched it again since and thought it was fun and full of nostalgia for me). To those who have only seen the movie, the book will offer you much more!

I am definitely "in" for this book, but there are two others to read first. I'll be back mid-month or so.

I'll start reading it tomorrow. Already finished one book by this author , so I know how much enjoyment lies ahead once again 😊

I'll start in the next few days probably.

Teri-K, I watched the movie multiple times as a kid. It was a family favourite. :)

Okay, I'm done with planning my 2026 challenges for now, and I'm back to my 2025 reading, starting with this book.

I'm 4 chapters in (20%), so this post will contain spoilers to that point (though it's really just set-up so far).

I'm enjoying the book. My two small complaints so far are that the start of the adventure felt very abrupt (she is just preparing to eat lunch and suddenly someone is holding a knife to her), and then afterwards I felt that Lambis trusted Nicola too easily and just told her everything. But these are very minor, and I was able to just go with it.

On to the positives. The writing is very Mary Stewart. I don't know how she's able to write such detailed descriptions of nature without it being boring; it's a bit of a superpower. Her language is very evocative:

I remembered that last night there had been a moon of a kind, a pale quarter, waning, like silver that is polished so thin that it has begun to wear away

I also really like Nicola -- she's practical and only as brave as the situation requires -- and what I know so far of Mark. And I really enjoyed the incorporation of the moon spinner folk tale. I wonder whether that's real, or whether the author invented it.

Although I too have a fond nostalgic feeling for the movie, I'm happy with the differences I'm seeing so far. Especially I think it helps to have Nicola be (or at least seem) a bit older than in the movie. And the stakes are already higher than in the movie -- a missing brother rather than missing jewelry.

I'm looking forward to reading some more tomorrow. :)

I finished Moonspinners in October so I'll be reading the comments and chiming in here & there. This one reminded me of the many Nancy Drew mysteries from my younger days.

I have only reached page 9 so far , but there's good possibility of unhindered reading time from tomorrow on . I am enjoying the story , and, of course, I will continue to do so .. this is a Mary Stewart, and she is not a stranger to me anymore ! The only , slight, problem I am having is that quite a few names of places have appeared, and they are quite difficult to remember. I am noting down the names of those that seem important. So far Nicola seems a little like Bryony... hey , I think I am missing Bryony!

Wobbley wrote: "Okay, I'm done with planning my 2026 challenges for now, and I'm back to my 2025 reading, starting with this book.

I'm 4 chapters in (20%), so this post will contain spoilers to that point (though..."

You're progressing quite well , Wobbley ! I should be able to open your spoiler soon .

Annette wrote: "I finished Moonspinners in October so I'll be reading the comments and chiming in here & there. This one reminded me of the many Nancy Drew mysteries from my younger days."

Looking forward to your comments!

The grandkids were off school today due to potential freezing ice and snow on our many bridges and overpasses. All we got was cold, wet rain all day. I just sat down to read a bit and found myself "on a brilliant April noonday at the foot of the White Mountains of Crete, when the road is hot and dusty, but the gorge is green, and full of the sound of water, and the white wings, flying ahead, flicker in and out of the deep shadow, and air is full of the scent of lemon blossoms..." And once again Stewart has whisked me away. I can't wait for more...

I'm glad a few others have started. :)

I've finished chapter 8, 40% done, and this post will contain spoilers to that point.

I enjoyed the scenes of Nicola helping Mark and them hiding from the murderer. Him trying to cut her off and presumably never see her again is going throwing a bit of a wrench in what will presumably become a budding romance. But I suspect they won't be separated for long.

Nicola is in the village now. She isn't doing a good job of keeping out of it. I'm also not convinced she is snooping around quite as subtly as she thinks she is: her questions are innocent enough for a tourist, but if she asks the same questions over and over of different people, the bad guys might catch on, and that might put her in danger as well. We'll see how that goes. She is still an appealing heroine.

I wonder what the bad guys' game plan is. My rather weak theory at this point is that the murderer is Stratos, the hotel owner we haven't yet met, and he murdered his sister's husband. But what about Mark's brother? It seems like the only sensible thing for the bad guys to do would be to kill him, because after keeping him prisoner they can hardly release him. But I sort of don't think it's going to be that kind of book. I think it's probably the kind of book where the good guys win pretty thoroughly, and the brother is rescued. I guess I'd better keep reading and find out ;)

Wobbley wrote: "I'm glad a few others have started. :)

I've finished chapter 8, 40% done, and this post will contain spoilers to that point.

I enjoyed the scenes of Nicola helping Mark and them hiding from the m..."

Great ideas, Wobbley. I've read this a lot, but it's been a while, so I find myself thinking, "Is this where such-and-such happens?" Or maybe, that's a different one of her books all together. lol So I'm reading it with a fair bit of anticipation, as you are.

I appreciated that it starts quickly and Nicola has good reasons to get involved - I'd find it hard to walk away from such a situation, too,

Teri-K wrote: "The grandkids were off school today due to potential freezing ice and snow on our many bridges and overpasses. All we got was cold, wet rain all day. I just sat down to read a bit and found myself ..."

Wow , Teri , how well you've brought out the effect of M.Stewart 's breathtaking excellence in writing descriptions of Nature and building up a mesmerizing ambience.... .... from a terribly cold , wet day outside your window , serious enough to cause the schools to stay closed for the day 🌨❄🥶 .. Brrr ... to .. to a brilliant April noonday .... when the road is hot and dusty , but the gorge is green .... and the air is full of the scent of lemon blossoms ... !!! 🤗👌 You will be astonished to know that though I can ,of course, appreciate why M.Stewart whisked you away, yet , even then , I do find a magical romance in the potentially freezing ice and snow scene outside your window! Maybe this is the influence of the yesteryears Western authors 🤔 on my mind 🤔 ? Where I stay, if it chances to hail ( may be once in a decade , yes , once in a decade ) we all feel downright happy and excited 😊 ! I wonder what would happen if we woke up one morning and found the landscape covered with white snow 😲😳 🤗 .. Gosh , just for a day !!

I have reached chapter 2 . No chance of reading more today , so I'll close the book reluctantly.. because it's really quite scary the way .. Beware Spoilers [ .. Nicola is heading alone into such a lonely place .. even the intoxicating beauty of the place seems to be touched with traces of the sinister! I wish she was safely back in a cozy hotel room 🤔 ] End of Spoilers Can't wait to read further tomorrow!

Savita wrote: "I wish she was safely back in a cozy hotel room..."

Alas, if she was back in the cozy hotel room, there might not be an adventure!

So, I accidentally finished the book this evening. When I started reading for the day I didn't expect to finish, but I think that's a good sign.

This post will contain spoilers for the entire book.

I enjoyed this one. The book really hit its stride. I was thinking at first that a couple of abrupt changes of all the characters but the main was a little jarring, and for that reason I wasn't looking forward to the arrival of the cousin Frances -- yet another new important character. But I was totally wrong. Frances is a terrific character, possibly my favourite in the book: good humoured, knowledgeable, sensible, and ready to go along with the adventure in the manner most likely to succeed.

I like Nicola a lot too. She thinks things through and figures things out, she's competent, and she's honest about what she doesn't know or wouldn't be good at. I like Mark too, but we don't get to know him that well. So I didn't like him as much as, say, the love interest in My Brother Michael (which remains my favourite Mary Stewart so far). Colin was a breath of fresh air; it's impossible not to like him.

I also enjoyed the parts where Nicola thought Colin was dead, and was looking for Mark, and the parts after she found him. There was a sequence of twists (is Colin dead? is Mark dead? is Lambis a villain?), but the author never kept us in suspense over any of the twists for too long, which I appreciated -- it kept the reading experience less tense and more pleasant. I especially enjoyed their war council, after they were all first reunited; I liked the joking banter that suggested a more long-term compatibility between them, even after this crisis is done.

The romance was well handled, I thought, and never dipped into cheesy-romance territory. I was glad of that. And as I had expected, this is the kind of book where the heroes thoroughly win -- nothing wrong with that! The climax was a bit too "grrr, manly men must have a fist-fight" for my taste, but for me that was a fairly minor complaint.

Of course, the descriptions of nature continued to delight.

Overall, a very satisfying reading experience.

Savita wrote: "I do find a magical romance in the potentially freezing ice and snow scene outside your window! Maybe this is the influence of the yesteryears Western authors 🤔 on my mind 🤔 ? Where I stay, if it chances to hail ( may be once in a decade , yes , once in a decade ) we all feel downright happy and excited 😊 ! I wonder what would happen if we woke up one morning and found the landscape covered with white snow 😲😳 🤗 .. Gosh , just for a day !!
..."

I do actually enjoy winter a lot - I'm from Colorado, and snow days with icy clear blue skies were the delight of my childhood and college days. However, I now live where snow is less common - maybe a couple of times each year. That Friday was just freezing rain. And, while I appreciate the chance to drink hot drinks and make popcorn or bake bread on really cold days, it's less than inspiring for me to look out the window in such weather. Hence, I really welcomed the chance to go to Crete in April, instead. :)

Wobbley wrote: "So, I accidentally finished the book this evening. When I started reading for the day I didn't expect to finish, but I think that's a good sign.
..."


I love it when I just keep reading and unexpectedly finish a book - that usually means a great reading experience! I'm so glad you enjoyed this. More good reading to come...

Teri-K wrote: "I love it when I just keep reading and unexpectedly finish a book - that usually means a great reading experience! I'm so glad you enjoyed this. More good reading to come..."

Thanks Teri-K! (I added a few more thoughts to my post above, though nothing that changes my overall impression.) I'm looking forward to more Mary Stewarts in 2026! I hope you enjoy this reread as much as you are hoping :)

Teri-K wrote: "Savita wrote: "I do find a magical romance in the potentially freezing ice and snow scene outside your window! Maybe this is the influence of the yesteryears Western authors 🤔 on my mind 🤔 ? Where ..."

Yes , I see , Teri ! 😊👍 !
( Loved the description: ... snow days with icy clear blue skies ... 🤗 )

Wobbley wrote: "Savita wrote: "I wish she was safely back in a cozy hotel room..."

Alas, if she was back in the cozy hotel room, there might not be an adventure!"

Have to agree , Wobbley 😄👍!

I have reached chapter 3 . Beware Spoilers [ I think Nicola handled the tense situation in chapter 2 very commendably . Lots of courage and a strong conscience in this young lady 🤔 . She could have hurried away back down to the safety of the village , and the waiting hotel room , but , in spite of repeated warnings of danger to her own person , she stopped to make Mark comfortable, ...... she probably saved his life ! ] End of Spoilers

Savita wrote: "I have reached chapter 3 . Beware Spoilers [ I think Nicola handled the tense situation in chapter 2 very commendably . Lots of courage and a strong conscience in this young lady 🤔 . She could ha..."

This is one of the points that made me love her books when I was young. Growing up in the 60s I often encountered books where the only girl in the story was there to get in trouble and be rescued by the boys. Or she had an adventure, but it was because she was what we called TSTL - too stupid to live. She'd go at night into the locked basement, despite repeated warning, etc. I disliked both those tropes.

Stewart instead gave me young women who did things for sensible reasons, were courageous but not Wonder Woman, and cared about others, while recognizing some of their choices could lead to trouble. But they were choices that needed to be made, for good reasons. So much more satisfying to read, then and now. :)

Teri-K wrote: "Stewart instead gave me young women who did things for sensible reasons, were courageous but not Wonder Woman, and cared about others, while recognizing some of their choices could lead to trouble. But they were choices that needed to be made, for good reasons."

Yes, this describes Nicola very well. She's very likeable and easy to root for!

I just put a hold on the library book. If it’s not checked out, I should get it pretty soon.

Pam wrote: "I just put a hold on the library book. If it’s not checked out, I should get it pretty soon."

I'm so glad your library has this one, I hope you get it soon, and enjoy it.

Teri-K wrote: "Savita wrote: "I have reached chapter 3 . Beware Spoilers [ I think Nicola handled the tense situation in chapter 2 very commendably . Lots of courage and a strong conscience in this young lady 🤔 ...."

TSTL .... 😆😅👌

On a serious note , I agree .. .. these were choices that needed to be made , for good reasons. Actually , all three of them .. Beware Spoilers [ .. Nicola , Mark and that poor , but admirably trustworthy and courageous ferry man , Lambis , had come together by curious stroke of fate . But , the roots of perhaps a lifelong bond could ( and should ) be forming... of comradeship with Lambis , and , one of pure love between Mark and Nicola 🤔 . They say that the strength of a friendship is tested in rough weather... well, here the friendship started in a terrifying storm 🤔 .
Incidentally , I loved the repartee and witty , down to earth comments that Nicola served to Mark when she was looking after Mark in Lambis ' absence 😄👌 ] End of Spoiler
Loving the story , can't wait to grab more reading time for it ...

I am reading chapter 6 . Stopping to make a few comments .. shortly , read Wobbley's spoiler , and welcome Pam .

I'm glad you are enjoying it Savita. I agree about Nicola's down to earth approach to the situation.

Pam wrote: "I just put a hold on the library book. If it’s not checked out, I should get it pretty soon."

Welcome , Pam ! Some enjoyable reading time ahead !

Wobbley wrote: "Okay, I'm done with planning my 2026 challenges for now, and I'm back to my 2025 reading, starting with this book.

I'm 4 chapters in (20%), so this post will contain spoilers to that point (though..."

Hmm ... I read your spoilers , Wobbley. Beware Spoilers [ I see that you are a little guarded about Mark . May be you are right there ? I , too , had better wait and watch for a bit 🤔 . Little is known about him ?? But , yes , so far he seems to be a real sturdy person . And his grave concern for his younger brother is nice to know .

M. Stewart weaves a kind of fairy tale magic into her descriptions... a different one for each scene.. 🪄🔮 ... true , her scenes have jaw dropping beauty !! The lines you've quoted ... just out of this world 🤗👌. And , this is just one example !!

I , too , was enchanted by the Moon-Spinners ' tale ! Gosh , what a fabulously delicate imagination 🤗👌 It changes the way you'll look at the moon , next time you see it !! ] End of Spoiler

What a coincidence... Greece , and especially Crete , are there in today's news ! There's a farmers ' agitation goimg on . It gave me a strange feeling watching scenes from Crete !

Savita wrote: "What a coincidence... Greece , and especially Crete , are there in today's news ! There's a farmers ' agitation goimg on . It gave me a strange feeling watching scenes from Crete !"

One of the nice effects of reading stories set in other places is, when they pop up on the news I'm less tempted to let it just flow over me, because I have a kind of link to that place now and it feels just a bit more real, if that makes sense. Travel does the same thing, but with reading I can find that connection to places I'll never see in person.

Teri-K wrote: "One of the nice effects of reading stories set in other places is, when they pop up on the news I'm less tempted to let it just flow over me, because I have a kind of link to that place now and it feels just a bit more real, if that makes sense..."

This is so true!

I was in an accident a week ago - a hit-and-run. I wasn't hurt and the air bags didn't even go off, but it was scary and my car has a lot of body damage. I've been really unnerved and stressed, and that means it's hard for me to read. I've mostly been knitting and listening to podcasts since then. And baking a lot, since the grandkids have been home from school until today.

I'm saying this, because I'm moving so slowly on Moonspinners, but I'm also finding it delightful and rewarding when I can pick it up. I just read Chapter 5 SPOILER when she and Mark woke up and he said he'd forgotten her, Nicola said, "That's the sweetest thing a man's ever said to me after a long night together." I thought how different Nicola is from the typical, so clearly virginal, heroine of many books from this time. (1962) It's not that we're learning anything about her sex life, or even if she really does have one, but she's not a shy violet who shrinks at the very thought. I remember liking that when I first read this, and I still do. It just makes he feel more like a real young woman to me.

And now I can't remember why Lambis isn't back yet, so I must read on... :)

I'm sorry about your accident, Teri-K. Hopefully you feel a bit more settled soon.

Yes, I agree about Nicola. Whether or not she's actually revealing anything about her sex life, she's certainly ready with the witty quip.

Wobbley wrote: "I'm sorry about your accident, Teri-K. Hopefully you feel a bit more settled soon.

Yes, I agree about Nicola. Whether or not she's actually revealing anything about her sex life, she's certainly r..."

Thanks, Wobbley. I'm getting over it, but finding it hard to focus on reading. It will come back - it always does. :)

I love a heroine who is good with the one-liners, from Lizzie Bennett on down.

Teri-K wrote: "Savita wrote: "What a coincidence... Greece , and especially Crete , are there in today's news ! There's a farmers ' agitation goimg on . It gave me a strange feeling watching scenes from Crete !"
..."

Agree , Teri ! 👍

Teri-K wrote: "I was in an accident a week ago - a hit-and-run. I wasn't hurt and the air bags didn't even go off, but it was scary and my car has a lot of body damage. I've been really unnerved and stressed, and..."

Teri , I'm very sorry to know about your accident, but glad that you weren't hurt ! Thank Heavens! Only your car took the brunt. All my good wishes that you mend emotionally back to sturdy spirits , steadily . 🙏

@ Teri and Wobbley: Yes , I had to laugh 😂 , too , at Nicola's smart reply ! She seems like such a fun person to have around!

Savita wrote: "Teri , I'm very sorry to know about your accident, but glad that you weren't hurt ! Thank Heavens! Only your car took the brunt. All my good wishes that you mend emotionally back to sturdy spirits , steadily . 🙏..."

Thanks, Savita. I'm doing much better - some quiet days at home helped. And reading Moonspinners has been a lovely escape from the reality of insurance calls and car repairs. For my taste, Stewart is a master of this genre.

I have reached chapter 11 .. halfway through this very enjoyable novel . ... Beware Spoilers ⬇️

[ The murder that Mark and Colin witnessed, and the subsequent events, reminds me a little bit of the movie To Race with The Devil that I saw long ago . 4 campers unwittingly witness a ghastly human sacrifice near a remote village. Their presence gets discovered , and the rest of the movie is how they attempt to ģet away in ther huge camping bus .

The main suspects here seem to be Tony , Stratos, Sofia , Josef and an unnamed person . Sofia's life is very tragic . Her husband is a horrible fellow ( he hasn't been introduced as yet .. not looking forward to meeting him 😕) , and I feel a bit doubtful about her brother too . .. All right, Sofia is a proud woman . She wants to work for her living. So , he can offer her some better work than this miserable scrubbing of the floors !! I dislike and distrust Stratos ☹🙄 ! Imagine, his own sister, and an unfortunate one ! Shameless fellow !

The author remarks ... with the patience of the poor ... when Nicola sees Sofia waiting for Tony outside the restaurant 's window , in one of the earlier chapters. Yes , .. with the patience of the poor , of the downtrodden, of those on whom sneering misfortune never fails to smile .. but good fortune never turns up 🤔 ! A sad reflection on us .. humanity 🤔 . Where there's no pull of power ( of money / status etc ) , there compassion , decency and fairness are less likely to be expected, hoped for 🤔🤔 . It's rather enigmatic that, although, we all do dutifully bow our heads regularly at God's altar , yet so many of us seem to forget the, not so difficult to understand , religious teachings at the altar of the Almighty !!
Sofia reminds me of some character in one of these famous Russian novels . My heart goes out for her ! I do hope Josef falls down dead by the end of the novel . I am not going to take back my words ! And Stratos too , for that matter ... with all his hotel and all his wealth !

And , oh yes , I have become an absolute fan of Frances ! ]
End of Spoilers
I have to yet read Wobbley's spoiler ( msg 13 , upto chapter 8 )
Teri , have you been able to read any further ? Has your car been repaired as yet ? If so , that itself will help you to feel more cheerful.
No comments from Lynn and Annette so far .

Savita, I agree that Sofia has a sad life. I'm glad you are enjoying the book.

Savita wrote: "I have reached chapter 11 .. halfway through this very enjoyable novel . ... Beware Spoilers ⬇️

[ The murder that Mark and Colin witnessed, and the subsequent events, reminds me a little bit o..."

My car is safe and drivable now, thanks. It does make a difference, being able to get out freely again. Not much public transportation where I live.

I'm about half way through - we just met Sofia. The line about "the patience of the poor" stood out to me, too. I like the way Stewart gives us so many shady characters to wonder about. It keeps it interesting, even when I know who ultimately did it.

Wobbley wrote: "I'm glad a few others have started. :)

I've finished chapter 8, 40% done, and this post will contain spoilers to that point.

I enjoyed the scenes of Nicola helping Mark and them hiding from the m..."

Beware Spoilers [ So Stratos may have murdered Josef ? I didn't think of that .. hmm . And , till now Josef is an absent figure .. 🤔 . There's another point of view revealed later .. taken by Nicola and Frances . The author may be deliberately putting confusion in our minds . ] End of Spoilers

Teri-K wrote: "Savita wrote: "I have reached chapter 11 .. halfway through this very enjoyable novel . ... Beware Spoilers ⬇️

[ The murder that Mark and Colin witnessed, and the subsequent events, reminds me a..."

Glad to know that your car is drivable now , Teri ! Are there any CCTV s in that area ? Any chance of the hit and run vehicle's number having got captured ?

Savita wrote: "Teri-K wrote: "The grandkids were off school today due to potential freezing ice and snow on our many bridges and overpasses. All we got was cold, wet rain all day. I just sat down to read a bit an..."

Gosh , Teri , of all the coincidences... it has suddenly snowed .. not here in the middle part of India ( Alas ☹ ) , .... but , ' a once in a generation weather turns Saudi ( Arabia ) desert completely white with snow !! They've posted a photo of a camel in the middle of a snow clad desert .. 🌨❄☃️🐪☃️❄🌨... 😲😳🤗 !!!! Temperature has fallen to - 9° ! I see , so Heaven has a sense of humor .. I was wishing wistfully in msg 15 that just for a day if beautiful snow could turn my city's landscape a magical white ❄🤗❄ .. well , the angels did hear , but got the address wrong , alas 😃😉 !

Hoping to get a little more reading time today. I am still at the beginning of chapter 11 .