Happy Furrowed Middlebrow Friday! 🥳🎉
Can I tell you how happy I am that Dean Street Press republished TWO MORE of D.E. Stevenson warm and wonderful novels?? Yipppeee! I'm in heaven!
Not only do these books have gorgeous covers, but now there are over 100 Furrowed Middlebrow titles. Unbelievable! 😱
So far, I've read 65/103 of the FM books. I'm slowly making my way through and looking forward to the rest with happy anticipation!
Okay, back to Bel!
I've read this duology three times and now I also have three different editions—so fitting, right? Wooo!
Here are my thoughts on each...
RATING: 4.5🌟 A delightfully cozy novel!
Bel hated taking a firm line with anyone, but sometimes it was essential. It will be alright once Mr. Brownlee comes back, thought Bel as she made ready for bed. Mrs. Brownlee's faith in her son was infectious.
WHAT I LOVED:
💚 Cozy descriptions of homes, food and nature (especially once Bel goes to Scotland)
💚 Kind and competent Bel
💚 Dependable, interesting and handsome Mr. Ellis Brownlee
💚 The caring Mrs. Brownlee and dynamic Young Jim Copley
💚 Lively Louise and her wonderful father
💚 Another “glimpse” of James and Rhoda!
WHO I DIDN'T LOVE:
❊ Horrible and jealous Mr. Wills
❊ Scheming, dishonest and nasty Miss Goudge
❊ Self-centered Mark Desborough
NOTE: The quote above is at the end of Chapter 12 and is my favorite passage. My thoughts and emotions (in general) are very similar to Bel’s, so I’m very sympathetic to her character. I also adored the section of Bel's lovely visit to see Mrs. Brownlee! In my vintage paperback edition, this was on pages 127-130.
2. FLETCHER'S END
RATING: 4.75🌟 A terrifically charming and romantic sequel to Bel Lamington!
...all the things she loved about Fletcher's End;...the friendly feeling when you came in (as if it were welcoming you home)...the old oak beams...the curve of the staircase and the smoothness of the banister-rail beneath your hand...the morning sunshine pouring in through the windows and shining on the polished floors...the singing of the birds at dawn...the clock on the tower of St. Julian's striking the hours...the crackle of logs burning in the big stone fireplace...the gentle creaks and sighings as the old house settled down for the night...
Bel thought of Mrs. Warmer—nice kind Mrs. Warmer; and Mr. Carruthers, talking about 'chimbleys'; and little Mr. Fuller, walking about the 'garding' and enjoying the 'luverly flowers'—invisible to everyone except himself. They were all part of Fletcher's End. She thought of the aspen tree outside the staircase window and the rustle of the wind among its leaves; she thought of the roses, Ellis' roses, which would bloom for him next year. She thought of the 'apricocks' on the south wall—not next year, but perhaps the year after, their branches would be bowed down with little golden globes.
WHAT I LOVED:
💚 Bel and Ellis' loving and supportive relationship
💚 Fletcher's End itself (I want to live there!)
💚 Steady, practical and hardworking Ellis
💚 Lovely and energetic Louise along with her understanding (and patient) father, Dr. Armstrong
💚 Cozy and old-fashioned Mrs. Warmer (I would love a home helper like her!)
💚 Reading about all of the home repairs to Fletcher's End
💚 Bel's friendship with Margaret Warren (from Bel Lamington)
💚 Descriptions of the garden, rose bushes, and violets
💚 The stunning painting of Mrs. Lestrange (with I could see it, if it existed!)
💚 Mini mystery concerning the wardrobe bought from Roy Lestrange
💚 Learning more about Alec's character and his struggle to get his life in order
Although I didn't love this DES novel quite as much as the first time I read it in 2019, I still consider it one of my top favorites.
!CAUTION: SPOILER AHEAD!
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ANOTHER PART I LOVED:
"Happiness filled her heart to overflowing—for Fletcher's End was safe. It belonged to her and Ellis; it was their very own. They would live here and enjoy its peace and beauty all their lives...Presently Bel became aware of the scent of violets, it was faint at first—perhaps it was just imagination—but gradually it grew stronger until the delicious fragrance filled the room. Bel glanced up at the picture and it seemed to her that Mrs. Lestrange was smiling."
Although I love Fletcher’s End a tiny bit more, I still adore Bel Lamington. I enjoyed it even more this time around! I highly recommended this series!
Once again, I have Victoria of Dean Street Press to thank for these gorgeous new paperback editions! She truly chose the perfect artwork for these covers. I'm in love! Thank you, thank you, dear friend! 😍❤️📚
Let me know in the comments if you've read these books and which (if any) you love more.
What are you reading this weekend, book friends?
Much love and summery hugs! 💛☀️🤗☀️💛
P.S. Sharing a couple of photos of a couple of bouquets from my little New Hampshire garden, too! The mixed rose bouquet includes David Austin roses (the pink and yellow). The next has peach roses and day lilies (about to bloom). All of the roses smell amazing! (Once my rose bushes grow a bit bigger, I hope I'll have more than a few roses per season. Right now, they're about 1-2 years old at most.) The last photo shows two kinds of daisies and a pretty sunflower type that's new to me! Hope you like them!
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