The Musgraves

By: D. E. Stevenson

Narrated by: Anne Dover

The tangled destinies of an unusual family are played out against the backdrop of the English countryside where two pretty sisters and a beautiful widow take centre stage in a drama of dangerous flirtation and backstairs gossip. Esther Musgrave, an attractive widow, has her hands full trying to keep her energetic family together – and on speaking terms! Her three daughters, prickly Delia, sensible Meg and carefree Rose, mean everything to her, especially since the death of her husband, Charles.

The story of the Musgraves in their Cotswold home, their loves and hates, hopes and disappointments, is vividly recounted in this charming chronicle of family life.

©1960 D. E. Stevenson (P)2011 Soundings

review

All of D. E. Stevenson books are an enjoyable read.The author has a dry sense of humor and so some of the story is really quite funny. The quiet English town and characters are joy to know.

Sibling rivaly

I love the novels of D. E. Stevenson. Rather than focus on one "hero" and "heroine", this book is the story of a family, and we follow quite a number of characters, hightlighting the widowed Mrs. Musgrave and her three daughters, but also covering their mysterious new neighbor, the secretary of the local golf club, some of the domestic staff, and others. Anne Dover does an excellent job of distingushing the various characters and also of demonstrating their moods and emotions. I loved to listen to her voice, and would love to hear her narrate other English based novels by D. E. Stevenson, such as The Four Graces or Vittoria Cottage. This is a reading to listen to over and over again.

Many of Stevenson's novels are set in Scotland or have some connection to Scotland, as Stevenson was born and lived there most of her life. However, The Musgraves is set completely in England, with mention of South Africa.

an old fashioned story

What did you love best about The Musgraves?

The Musgraves is a flashback to a time when propriety ruled. If one accepts it in the spirit of the time in which it was written, is will be a pleasing afternoon.
It is a window into a world much less dictated by corporate profit and the prurient nature of current popular fiction. Permit yourself to accept the story and enjoy it. It will be a pleasant break for you. It's completely alright to put yourself into that time and enjoy a cup of tea.

What about Anne Dover’s performance did you like?

The reader was easily understood. Enunciation was clear. Inflection well placed. Use of pause and pace precise.

Any additional comments?

I will enjoy other books in the Musgrave series.

Typical DE Stevenson but not among my favorites.

The narration was great and the story similar to many of DE Stevenson's books in that it followed the lives of one family for a period of time. However, I never really warmed up to the Musgrave family, I think because I found them rather humorless and borng compared to characters in her other books which are primarily set in Scotland.

Delightful!

Delightful feel-good glimpse into an English family’s every day life. Just the kind of pleasant story I wanted to read (listen to) right now :) I look forward to more by this author!