This is the book that got me out of a real reading rut, and I found it by pure chance. I went back to London for a couple of weeks to see my family. We’ve always had lots of books in our home and since my grandparents past away, we have inherited a huge number of their books too!
A lot of these books were my Granny’s when she was young or ones my Mum grew up with. Anyway, a lot of them have found a new home on the bookshelf outside my room. I’d finished reading a larger book in Liverpool, and to get by was reading bits of poetry and smaller stories etc, so hadn’t really travelled down with a read. As I said, I wasn’t really feeling anything and couldn’t stick to anything so checking the titles and contents pages of these old books without covers, I got a little pile together and got back to my room.
I did not think I’d actually finish this book but in the end I couldn’t put it down. Similar to all books I enjoy, I really slow down towards the end, so I don’t have to finish it so soon!
What is it about?
I think this was probably a first edition of Bless this House by Norah Lofts, published around 1950s. It’s pretty special and it will stay with me because of how much I just enjoyed the story and how relieved I felt that it got me out of a reading rut!
Instead of following a set group of one people, this book follows the creation, and life of a big old country house in Suffolk. The book is divided into time periods; the one central continuum is Merravay house, which we see being built in the opening section of the book by a sailor/explorer, Tom Rowhedge.
The story begins with the lives of the joiners and carpenters who are commissioned to build the house by a Tom Rowhedge in the mid-Elizabethan period. Beginning as a sailor in the town Tom, goes to sea and earns wealth and favour from the Queen, who gifts him the land, to build a house on.
Tom’s choice of how the house is positioned on the land, the interior décor and carvings, the number of rooms; everything is described to the reader. It’s new and fashionable! Also what ensues is a little love triangle between a local girl, Tom and one of the carpenters….
Time Periods
The book is broken up into different time periods:
Each time period is broken with an interlude, a narrative break from the time period, to tell the reader what has happened and who has inherited or bought the house, and how.
It sounds quite a task, to write over a number of different time periods, and I’m not claiming Norah Lofts is some historian, getting everything accurate. But it is enchanting as you, as the reader, know the houses whole history, whereas the present occupants only know rumours or folktales.
For example, the second or third time period is the Mid-Stuarts: entitled: The Witch. We are given the story of Lady Alice and her husband and their allegiances in the English Civil War. We know everything about their lives, actions and choices. Lady Alice, being eventually tried as a witch.
As time moves forwards, and there is no evidence left, the tale of Lady Alice on her dark horse at night becomes the ghost story of Merravay. We the reader, obviously know the truth!
Keeping Track
This is not a terribly long book, but I found it useful keeping a sort of family tree of who is living in Merravay. Like a previous blog post, I think it’s always helpful to make little notes. But I drew this little family tree, as I read because I was just interested.
I am sure Norah Lofts drew similar as she was writing it to make sure she didn’t show herself up haha.
I kept it as a little bookmark and referred to it whenever the time period went forward, and the house changed hands.
Perceptions
It was interesting seeing the change in how Merravay was viewed. When the first owner, Tom Rowhedge built it, it was a cheerful, grand house.
As society changes, for many inhabitants Merravay is gloomy and dark. This is especially true for Charlotte, who is sent there to live with her uncle in the late Georgian period.
Her Cousin Rupert, finds Elizabethan coins, and a skeleton, and having known the story of the house in Elizabeth times; it gives some answers to the reader; which they may have previously sought.
The Ending
How do you end a novel like this, if the building is still standing? Well for the author; it seemed rather simple, she had written up to her present time period!. Which was Post-War 1939, period. We are given a wee run down of the various uses of the house during the war, has it doesn’t always stay in the family. But the ending has a nice cyclical closing to it, which really finishes this book well for the reader.
I am so pleased I took a chance with this book. With no fancy cover, I think it was the contents page of the different time periods that intrigued me. Anyway, I am so glad I picked it up; it is such an interestingly idea for a book. Lofts really answers the questions: ‘If these walls could talk; what would they say……?’
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