Nightingale Wood

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And because this is a novel of the twentieth century, and of a nation breaking old habits, not all of the awakenings lead to happiness or satisfaction. They can result in disillusion and diminishment, both figurative and literal. Some happy endings are unearned and therefore fragile. Many of the characters live in a secure context of middle-class comfort, but they are still buffeted by bitter winds (to use one of Gibbons’s recurrent images)—financial upheavals, political cross-currents, newer ideas like the psychology that disturbs Tina’s peace and makes all things possible (or threateningly unstable, depending on your perspective). The novel very much captures a moment in time, and because we know what happened a few years later, it is bittersweet. South Marston is not mentioned in the Domesday Book but has Saxon origins, mentioned as Merston in 1204. The settlement developed around the 11th century church of St Mary Magdalene, which still has the original walls of the nave, the north and south doorways and the font. The chancel is from the 13th century and the tower and west door were added in about 1615. Stella Gibbons set out in 1938 to write a version of the Cinderella fairytale which was 'right up to date'. For the modern reader however, it has become instead an enchanting period piece. The story revolves around Viola, 21 years old, newly widowed and cajoled into going to live with her in-laws. The Withers are a buttoned-up and repressed middle class family consisting of money-obsessed Mr Wither, spiritless and dispirited Mrs Wither and their two middle-aged spinster daughters, Madge (wants a dog) and Tina (wants the chauffeur). None of the Withers were every very convinced by son Theodore's choice of Viola as bride; she was so much younger than he and a common shop-girl to boot. This book is about Henrietta, a 12 year old girl suffering from the loss of her older brother (Robert) and a mother being drugged by a mad doctor Mr. Hardy. Everything seems to be going wrong. Will she save the day?

Light, effervescent, wonderful colour palette - would have one expecting something Woodhousian, wouldn't one? a b c d e f g h i j k l Neville, Jill (May 2006). "Gibbons, Stella Dorothea". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (onlineed.). Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/ref:odnb/39831. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.) (subscription required) The secret of Nightingale Wood was a joy to read, it had realistic and relatable characters which enhanced the emotional storyline. I have always enjoyed reading history books, and this added fuel to the fire of my love. I’m passionate about the characters: Henry, the baby Piglet, Henry’s Mum and I especially like Moth. They are all headstrong and determined- an inspiration to children.

Discover this unique wildlife site in South Marston, near Swindon

The economy and population of Swindon expanded rapidly through the latter half of the 19th century largely due to its potential as a transport hub. First came the Wilts & Berks canal from Abingdon-on-Thames to reach the Kennet and Avon canal in mid-Wiltshire. This (shown in blue on the map) passes south of the village and originally ran through into Swindon town centre. It took 15 years to complete with the official Opening Ceremony being conducted on 14th September 1810. The canal was abandoned in 1914 but the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is gradually restoring parts of it. Gibbons as the 20th century's Austen is an opinion not shared by the writer Alexander McCall Smith, who suggests that this accolade belongs to Barbara Pym. [82] stars, I really enjoyed this, read with the Retro Reads group. It was a bit slow for me for the first bit, until after the big ball - the cover and description of my copy make it seem kind of like a Cinderella retelling, with the poor, young widow (Viola) wanting to meet her handsome prince (Victor, the wealthy businessman/playboy with his own estate near her rigid in-laws). But, like life, so much more happens after the ball… The ensemble cast - and there are plenty more who make an appearance and an impact on the story - make for an entertaining read. The plot is simple enough, following mostly Viola and Tina, but isn't really about plot. It's more a very shrewd, slightly caustic (in its honesty), deeply ironic look at early 20th century British society, still deeply classist, still obsessed with money and who has it, with vanities fair and foul. I half expected Victor's cousin Hetty, who scorns their flashy lifestyle and grand house with a snobbery equal to theirs, and reads a lot of poetry and other "deep" works, to be a sensible, even wise character: but no, she's held up as being just as foolish as anyone else. In a way, it makes for an evenly-told story. Hammill, Faye (2007). Women, Celebrity, and Literary Culture between the Wars. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-0-292-71644-5.

Another example of wondering why on earth I've let a book sit unread on a shelf for a decade, taking up space...except this time, I'm disappointed in myself for not realizing earlier how much I'd enjoy it.Gibbons's writing has been praised by critics for its perspicacity, sense of fun, charm, wit and descriptive skill—the last a product of her journalistic training—which she used to convey both atmosphere and character. [82] [83] Although Beauman refers to "malicious wit", [84] Truss sees no cruelty in the often barbed humour, which reflected Gibbons's detestation of pomposity and pretence. [82] [85] Truss has described Gibbons as "the Jane Austen of the 20th century", [82] [n 7] a parallel which the novelist Malcolm Bradbury thought apt; Flora Poste in Cold Comfort Farm, with her "higher common sense", is "a Jane-ite heroine transformed into a clear-eyed modern woman". Bradbury also observed that many of Gibbons's novels end in Austen-like nuptials. [86] In 1989, in its report of Gibbons's death, The New York Times mistakenly referred to Webb as her second husband. [71]

I am fascinated by Stella Gibbons' style of narrating and seeing people. She wasn't polite or nice to her characters. Sometimes she was simply harsh. So, meeting them, getting to know them can be difficult. I so wanted to like them, but Mrs Gibbons seemed to do all she could to make it hard. And, although, it often gave me the unpleasing feeling that humans are horrible (or at least ridiculous) species, on the other hand, I loved it. Reading it was like watching painful/harsh truth, that in the end gives one some kind of (perhaps a bit twisted) hope. It is hard to explain it. I remember that the similar impression I had after The Matchmaker. I enjoyed this book because it hooked me in and it has a very strong feeling that you’re in the story and have known the characters before. It also makes your imagination run wild. The ending was happy and calm and I wouldn’t change a thing about, it but I wasn’t that happy when we finished because I didn’t want it to end! Every year, in the fulness o' summer, when the sukebind hangs heavy from the wains... 'tes the same. And when the spring comes her hour is upon her again... 'Tes the hand of Nature and we women cannot escape it."

Wildlife and habitats

The Bell Estate, which included land in most areas of the village, was auctioned in 1918. The Auction Catalogue & Map lists numerous village farms and fields, “old fashioned” cottages, including Manor Cottages on Old Vicarage Lane and “modern” Victorian villas.