The Scent of Water

This is my first introduction to this author, suggested by a Catholic mom's reading list. I was so stunned by the way the author weaved her story and the charm behind it initially, but then as I read all the flawed characters and issues I was a little disenchanted. However as the book progressed I was once again pulled into the beauty and deepness of the authors insight and deep spiritual thoughts. Wow!! I am sitting here thinking that I've never been touched by a novel the way I have this one. So much so that I actually want to pick it back up and read it again! Maybe I will share with an audio book with my husband, because I feel I could burst if I dont share with someone else deeply! Truly a masterpiece!Clean and edifying for any adult. Has some swear words and worldly situations (mild) so not really appropriate for teens unless they are more soaked in the world. Just a beautiful book.

I loved the picture Ms. Goudge painted of rural England, and I fell in love with Cousin Mary and her struggles with psychotic breaks and the growth of her faith – and that of her younger cousin, also named Mary – as a result of what was happening to her. The old man's "three necessary prayers" – "Lord, have mercy"; "Thee I adore"; "Into Thy hands" – pretty well sum up our prayer life: Prayers of confession, praise and requests in faith. A "must-read" for anyone looking for Christian fiction that glorifies God!

Elizabeth Goudge has once again shared a lovely story of grace, redemption, and restoration. The author includes the challenge of mental illness and considers it with care and compassion while dealing with the challenge, which sadly persists, about the factors some wrongly conclude contribute to the ailment. This story does not rise to the level of The Dean's Watch, also written by Goudge, but The Scent of Water is a good and important story, timeless in its message.

Elizabeth Goudge is sadly underrated, today, as a deep-thinking writer. I rediscovered her via Amazon and Kindle. The Scent of Water is beautifully composed and Goudge demonstrates her talents as a wise observer and character developer. The power of description is so convincing and captivating that the reader could easily wish for the English countryside she pictures.This is a novel of human struggle -- spiritual and emotional.I found myself hoping for solutions to character situations that Goudge leads us into, only to have the author reach a different outcome, but an outcome that satisfies far better than any reader could conclude.

I loved this book. The setting is about 20 years after the Second World War, in rural England. The people in it are living in a small village, somewhat out of time even in that time period setting. That is what I like about the book, you get a glimpse of a life most of us have no concept of living. The main character, Mary Lindsay, has inherited a cottage from a namesake cousin, she only met once, when she was eight. The story involves her reasons for moving to that place, and her coming to understand her kinship to her cousin, and her dead fiancé. She develops a better understanding of herself, from her better understanding of her cousin, thru the cousin's diaries, and her deceased fiancé, thru her friendship with a blind war veteran. The book was written in the early 1960's about a society almost lost at that time. It is about a kinder, gentler society, probably lost to us in the 21st century. The book deals with mental illness, from the perspective of the person suffering from it, and the character of various people, how they deal with what life hands them. It is also about spiritual renewal, and kindness and love for others. When the story ended with new life entering the world, I was sad to put the book down. I wanted to find out what the future life was like for Mary and the children, and other's in the story. No evilness touched the hearts of these people, just lost souls, who came out better in the end. I wish the book had a sequel.

I love Elizabeth Goudge and think she is an extremely underrated writer. She writes beautifully and creates a world that makes you feel you have visited. Her stories are very gentle yet she addresses some very deep human problems. As she herself described them, she doesn't let her characters suffer for very long and her stories are perfect when you are anxious or unwell. She had a gift for describing children and I love the way she describes houses and the shelter that they provide. The houses in her stories become characters in themselves. I am not a religious person and she obviously was, but rather than feeling alienated by that, her devotion seems natural, right-minded and inclusive.

I had high hopes for this book based off other's reviews. I am a big fan of Rosamunde Pilcher and Maeve Binchy and after reading all their books I hoped to find a similar author.This book was full of dated, dull drivel and The author fell into too much meaningless detail, which took away from the book. Instead of a meandering path it was a lost path into the rose bushes. This book is also heavy on the religion end and I don't like "in your face" kinds of topics.

I've read several of the author's books. She captures characters and characteristics like no one else. You know these people, intimately.Her novels are not "beach reading". In fact, you must pay great attention to the comings and goings. The questioning of faith and the wonderful moment it's found. God will be found, in many ways, places and some rather unusual people.Her novels are not for the young or the "faint of heart", they are stories of human triumph, failure, redemption and more.Her novels are very English, set in small villages, with all the traditional English characters - vicors, the village mid-wife, the retired military men who served in India, old-maids who serve their families, and dogs, always dogs.Authors like this are rare, in fact, I am afraid they are almost extinct. Enjoy them while you can.

A favourite author of my mother I read this to reminisce. A gentle interesting tale that evokes past times with rich description and kindness.

Nostalgic purchase. Read this book and others of this author many years ago - library loans. Pleased to have my own copy finally!

This, my second book from Elizabeth Goudge’s treasures, did not disappoint. Her descriptive language is wonderful and draws the reader in to experience the story.

I love this author. But her books such as Green Dolphin Country and The Dean's Watch are more fulfilling. This book is a wonderful, lyrical journey into a corner of the world that time has left alone. However, it seemed as though the author wove a story and then rushed to finish it, leaving many, too many, loose threads - not tantalising, but annoying. What is explored beautifully, in Miss Goudge's inimitable way, is faith and endurance. These parts are written with such grace that even someone with no formal religion, like myself, can often find themselves moved to tears. I regret that she did not have an editor with the vision to cajole her into completing this book instead of just finishing it. If you seek perfection then try the two mentioned above and City of Bells.

I realise that this book will not be to everyone's taste. It is awash with spiritual musings.I adored it for the beautiful tale it weaves. It must be one of my favourite books of all time. Exquisite. Such a joy to find. Do download a sample and take a look. Elizabeth Goudge is a spell-binding author.