Celia's House

What a delight! Another audiobook by author D. E. Stevenson. This is one of her Family Sagas, a story of life in the Southern area of Scotland known as "The Boarders". Lesley Mackie's reading, with her soft Scots accent is perfect. Understandable to the American listener, but with enough "Scots" in it to lend atmosphere! This story blends a gentle homage to Jane Austen's Mansfield Park, with noticable plot parallels, with some additional plot lines. Most notable of these is how the elder "Celia", by leaving her house to her not yet born great neice, "Celia", hopes to change the pattern of her life and find love in the new generation.

I purchased and downloaded and listened to this story as quickly as possible, and now I will have to listen again and hope that Lesley Mackie is invited to do the "partner" title to this one, Listening Valley.

D. E. Stevenson wrote a number of absolutely delightful books, mostly set in the lowlands of Scotland. You come to know the characters well and are very interested in what happens to them. Several books have characters in common and there are even some with sequels, but each is good on its own and can stand alone without the reader having any knowledge of any of the others. This book is one who shares some characters with other stories, but knowing those other stories is in no way essential.
Lesley Mackie does a wonderful job reading these books and plays a big role in making the whole experience enjoyable.

I have really come to enjoy the writings of D E Stevenson. She has very good story development. The books are interesting but still calm. It reminds me of the Miss Reed books. This story takes place in the early 1900's over in England. An older woman rewrites her will at the last minute. She wants her huge house to be lived in by a family that will appreciate it. This book is the story of that family's life. When the family moves in, they have 2 young children and by the end of the book all the children are grown and married and the mother has died. This is really a story about family. This is a book that I would feel comfortable listening to with all the children, and I just may do it. I could easily an happily listen to this story again.

D.E Stevenson writes lovely stories. Her books take you back to post WWII England with the manners and gentiality not found in today world. This book is like high tea in a rose garden. Treat yourself to a warm and life affirming story.

Surprise ending ties it all up nicely.

I could listen to her read the phone book.