Collection
Publication
Fawcett Crest (1989), Edition: 1st, 289 pages
Description
Gilly Ramsey's lonely childhood was brightened only by visits to her godmother until her death, when the grown-up Gilly inherits the family cottage, " Thornyhold." Set deep in a wild wood, with its magical and peaceful strength and its sovereign defenses against evil, Thornyhold is like something out of a fairy tale. The old house strikes an end to Gilly's bleak future, offering more than just a new home. It presents a chance to start over- despite its reputation for magic, history of witchcraft, and a resident black cat. This Gothic romance features sparkling prose, delightful characters, and classic intrigue.
User reviews
LibraryThing member sussabmax
I came across this book a long time ago, I don’t even remember when. It wasn’t great literature, and I would have to make a pretty long list of my favorites before this would occur to me, but it was a really nice book. I’d call it a comfortable read. It didn’t change my life, but I
I came across a copy of this at one of the periodic used book fairs different groups at work hold to support some charity. It seems like a great deal for the charities and the groups supporting them—they solicit donations through emails and bulletin board postings, then organize all the books and sell them in a conference room for a day or two. I am sure it is time-consuming, but all of the money goes to the charity, so it’s a nice deal. I love browsing through these fairs, seeing what people have donated, and finding books to try. Books are generally $1 or less, so it isn’t that risky to try something new. But occasionally, I come across an old friend, like this book.
I snapped the book right up, thrilled to have come across it by chance. I haven’t been looking for it, I just recognized it. I didn’t read it right away, though. As usual, I had several books that I was excited about in my TBR stack (mountain…), so I put it aside. It made me happy to have it, though. Last week, I was looking for something light and quick to read while the kids were at their dad’s for the evening, so I picked up Thornyhold.
It was just as good as I remembered it. Geillis is an amazingly strong character, glossing over her very difficult childhood with a no-use-crying-over-what-can’t-be-changed attitude. Even when describing highly emotional events, her common sense shines through. When she falls in love with her handsome neighbor, and he smiles at her, she makes a comment about the sun coming out and all the birds bursting into song in a way that pokes gentle fun at her own out of control emotions.
The witchcraft plot was a little silly, but nothing too outrageous. As a whole, the book was so charming, I am willing to overlook a few minor faults. And, I am inspired by Gilly’s can-do attitude to make her home her own—my own home is in better shape because of it! I hung a picture and some curtains (see post below) and cleared out some clutter this weekend. So, that’s a definite good effect of the book.
Highly recommended, but remember, don’t have high expectations of great literature. That’s not what this book is meant to be.
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remembered it, and I read enough books that remembering large parts of the book 15 or 20 years later is actually quite a testament to the book.I came across a copy of this at one of the periodic used book fairs different groups at work hold to support some charity. It seems like a great deal for the charities and the groups supporting them—they solicit donations through emails and bulletin board postings, then organize all the books and sell them in a conference room for a day or two. I am sure it is time-consuming, but all of the money goes to the charity, so it’s a nice deal. I love browsing through these fairs, seeing what people have donated, and finding books to try. Books are generally $1 or less, so it isn’t that risky to try something new. But occasionally, I come across an old friend, like this book.
I snapped the book right up, thrilled to have come across it by chance. I haven’t been looking for it, I just recognized it. I didn’t read it right away, though. As usual, I had several books that I was excited about in my TBR stack (mountain…), so I put it aside. It made me happy to have it, though. Last week, I was looking for something light and quick to read while the kids were at their dad’s for the evening, so I picked up Thornyhold.
It was just as good as I remembered it. Geillis is an amazingly strong character, glossing over her very difficult childhood with a no-use-crying-over-what-can’t-be-changed attitude. Even when describing highly emotional events, her common sense shines through. When she falls in love with her handsome neighbor, and he smiles at her, she makes a comment about the sun coming out and all the birds bursting into song in a way that pokes gentle fun at her own out of control emotions.
The witchcraft plot was a little silly, but nothing too outrageous. As a whole, the book was so charming, I am willing to overlook a few minor faults. And, I am inspired by Gilly’s can-do attitude to make her home her own—my own home is in better shape because of it! I hung a picture and some curtains (see post below) and cleared out some clutter this weekend. So, that’s a definite good effect of the book.
Highly recommended, but remember, don’t have high expectations of great literature. That’s not what this book is meant to be.
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LibraryThing member jkdavies
I usually like Mary Stewart, even her thrillers have a dated charm and a sense of menace about them. This however was pure schmalz, a romance based on moving next door to an eligible but initially curmudgeonly bachelor, with some guff about witches,herbs and spells thrown in for effect. Predictable
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and dull. Show Less
LibraryThing member soliloquies
Thornyhold is a quick read, it can easily be read in a few hours. I first read this in my teens, and after spotting it in a charity shop thought it worth a re-read. It’s a comfy old jumper of a book, the type of book you read when you want something that is just a good book without having to
Although there are elements of witchcraft and romance, I always thought the book to be about new beginnings. Gilly’s lonely childhood is interspersed by memories of her mother’s cousin – Geillis Saxon who has sporadically visited her and provided key moments in her life. Gilly inherits Geillis’ home (Thornyhold) and moves in, determined to carve out a new life for herself. Eventually Gilly finds love and the confidence in herself to pursue her much loved dream as an artist.
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think too much about the plot.Although there are elements of witchcraft and romance, I always thought the book to be about new beginnings. Gilly’s lonely childhood is interspersed by memories of her mother’s cousin – Geillis Saxon who has sporadically visited her and provided key moments in her life. Gilly inherits Geillis’ home (Thornyhold) and moves in, determined to carve out a new life for herself. Eventually Gilly finds love and the confidence in herself to pursue her much loved dream as an artist.
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LibraryThing member ellengryphon
A light, lovely read from the talented, possibly under-appreciated Mary Stewart. Here is the short, pleasant tale of a talented, independent young woman who inherits her cousin's small estate, dabbles in herbology (witchcraft? not so much), endures annoying neighbors and a mildly disturbing
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nightmare before solving some small mysteries, meeting and falling for talented, mysterious, independent author dude. Chock full of fun words like 'belvedere,' 'brambles' and 'wicket.' What's not to love? A guilty pleasure and a great escape. Show Less
LibraryThing member krisiti
Hmph. I would have joined the coven.
LibraryThing member thesmellofbooks
The writing is excellent, a breath of fresh air. There are elements I was not entirely enchanted with, but they are Of Their Time and don't greatly mar the work. Well defined characters, perfect setting, original twists on old themes. Overall, a good holiday from the real world. (Especially if you
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like the fantasy of inheriting an old home in the English countryside. And mystery. And the occult. [And herbs.]) Show Less
LibraryThing member wealhtheowwylfing
Gilly has a lonely childhood in the north of England between the two WWs, and foresees a long, lonely adulthood for herself. But then her father dies, and her godmother Geillis leaves her a house and garden in Thornyhold. Geillis always had an air of mystery and magic about her, and so does her
I loved this book. Gilly is a delicately painted, nuanced character who feels perfectly real and quite familiar. The plot dances between moments of darkness and warm bucolic romance. And the setting! I fell absolutely in love with Stewart's England, with its bramble jelly and cats falling asleep in front of the Aga.
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house. Gilly begins exploring her godmother's herbologies and the woods around the cottage, but interruptions by her various neighbors leave her both unsettled and intrigued. Led by occasional messenger pigeons and flashes of memories that aren't her own, Gilly begins to piece together the puzzle her godmother left behind. I loved this book. Gilly is a delicately painted, nuanced character who feels perfectly real and quite familiar. The plot dances between moments of darkness and warm bucolic romance. And the setting! I fell absolutely in love with Stewart's England, with its bramble jelly and cats falling asleep in front of the Aga.
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LibraryThing member JulesJones
Romantic suspense novel from Mary Stewart, published in 1988, but set in the 1940s and 1950s. Young Geillis, known as Jilly has had a quietly miserable childhood, followed by leaving university early to look after her newly widowed father. Her future as a jobless spinster with no savings and no
Jilly finds that her cousin has left her enough money to live on if she's careful, together with all of Thornyhold's contents. Those contents include the still room -- and Cousin Geillis's reputation as a witch. There is nothing but good in that reputation, but Jilly is still drawn into strange occurrences, some of which have an obvious rational explanation but which still leave her unsettled.
She's even more unsettled when she meets a handsome neighbour -- and then life becomes very odd indeed...
Highly enjoyable period romantic suspense, with well-drawn characters and just a touch of magic left even when the explanations are done. Definitely one I'll enjoy re-reading.
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inheritance to speak of might have been bleak after his death, save for her older cousin and namesake leaving her Thornyhold -- Cousin Geillis's woodland cottage.Jilly finds that her cousin has left her enough money to live on if she's careful, together with all of Thornyhold's contents. Those contents include the still room -- and Cousin Geillis's reputation as a witch. There is nothing but good in that reputation, but Jilly is still drawn into strange occurrences, some of which have an obvious rational explanation but which still leave her unsettled.
She's even more unsettled when she meets a handsome neighbour -- and then life becomes very odd indeed...
Highly enjoyable period romantic suspense, with well-drawn characters and just a touch of magic left even when the explanations are done. Definitely one I'll enjoy re-reading.
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LibraryThing member cinnamonowl
I read this during a terrible heat wave- I find I migrate to Gothic romance/mystery during the summer for some unknown reason. Maybe it reminds me of The Secret Garden in some way. Or reading that book at my Aunt's house in the summer when I was little. Anyway, I love to read books like this, while
Stewart reminds me of Barbara Michaels; she has a similar feel, in her story lines and actual writing. Thornyhold was a perfect read the week I read it. I had been knee deep in Gillian Flynn's books, which are good but very murky and intense. It was a nice break, with its gentle story line and easy magic. The mystery and suspense were minimal. I had a hard time personally with a few of the things that happened, regarding animals, yet none of the parts were so bad that I had to totally skip them. (as I had to recently in another book) The end was predictable, but it was just the right time for this book for me. I needed something simple and enjoyable, and this fit the bill exactly.
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I am sitting in my air conditioned house and it is 95 degrees outside and climbing. Stewart reminds me of Barbara Michaels; she has a similar feel, in her story lines and actual writing. Thornyhold was a perfect read the week I read it. I had been knee deep in Gillian Flynn's books, which are good but very murky and intense. It was a nice break, with its gentle story line and easy magic. The mystery and suspense were minimal. I had a hard time personally with a few of the things that happened, regarding animals, yet none of the parts were so bad that I had to totally skip them. (as I had to recently in another book) The end was predictable, but it was just the right time for this book for me. I needed something simple and enjoyable, and this fit the bill exactly.
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LibraryThing member baggette
Nice story, good ending. Didn't feel rushed.
Same quality of writing as the Merlin series.
Gilley Ramsey inherits her relative's cottage in Wiltshire. Locals call it "witch House"
Same quality of writing as the Merlin series.
Gilley Ramsey inherits her relative's cottage in Wiltshire. Locals call it "witch House"
LibraryThing member chikkagrl
This was the first book I've read by Mary Stewart. I now want to read her others. I love her writing style and how she weaves the story through the area bringing in each wonderfully described character at a time. Very romantic.
LibraryThing member neverlistless
What a fun, quick read! If I read anymore about cottages in the woods then I'm going to become a hermit much faster than originally planned. But if you're interested in a little bit of romance, a little bit of mystery, herb gardens, cottages in the woods, and "witches," then check out this book!
LibraryThing member Kasthu
Thornyhold is the third novel of Mary Stewart’s that I’ve read; although I generally enjoy Stewart’s novels, I’d definitely say this wasn’t as good as Nine Coaches Waiting or The Ivy Tree.
Geillis has just inherited Thornyhold, an 18th century house that had once apparently belonged to a
Stewart definitely has a flair for the dramatic, and for infusing her stories and settings with magic. There’s a sort of dreamlike quality about Thornyhold. But here, I felt that something was missing—the novel (really a novella) was too short for character development, too short for the development of the romance. Stewart’s other novels had villains that were creepy; the “villain” in this novel is sort of caricaturish. In addition, the novel is quite sad in some places as Geillis describes to the reader what her childhood was like. I’m still a fan of Mary Stewart’s, though. She really knows how to craft a novel that’s got atmosphere.
Geillis has just inherited Thornyhold, an 18th century house that had once apparently belonged to a
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Victorian-era witch, from her cousin, also named Geillis. Upon moving to the house, Geillis becomes caught up in its atmosphere, even taking on her cousin’s reputation as a witch.Stewart definitely has a flair for the dramatic, and for infusing her stories and settings with magic. There’s a sort of dreamlike quality about Thornyhold. But here, I felt that something was missing—the novel (really a novella) was too short for character development, too short for the development of the romance. Stewart’s other novels had villains that were creepy; the “villain” in this novel is sort of caricaturish. In addition, the novel is quite sad in some places as Geillis describes to the reader what her childhood was like. I’m still a fan of Mary Stewart’s, though. She really knows how to craft a novel that’s got atmosphere.
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LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
A pretty romance, in very Mary Stewart style - somewhat less of intrigue, though there's at least two mysteries involved. The descriptions are gorgeous, as usual. I like Gilly, and Geillis from what we see of her; William and Christopher John are both great. But it's a good thing Gilly was
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conditioned to go along with what others have planned for her - I can think of plenty of heroines who would have refused just because her path was all laid out for her. And the idea of his putting in a comment of his own, so Geillis didn't make all the running for him... The comment about the taxi, near the end, always takes me a minute to translate. But it's a point. And it's an interesting frame, specifically written as a memoir. She has much too good a memory, for the details of her first days at Thornyhold, to be believable, though. Nice. Not a favorite, but always enjoyable. Show Less
LibraryThing member Renz0808
I usually love books like these, I especially love reading them between larger more invloved books or in between books in a long series. Gothic Romance is one of my favorite generas and this book fits the description. This was also my first book by Mary Stewart. I had read other reviews about her
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books before and I have always wanted to read her. She sort of reminds me of Barbara Michaels. I started out really enjoying this book. Our heroine is Gilly and she has had a rough childhood filled for the most part without love. Her only good childhood memories involve her spinster cousin who is also her godmother, and most likely a witch. So when she inherits her godmother's home, Thornyhold she also inherits all the creepy problems that come with it and it might be more than she baragined for. The only reason why I didn't like this book more was because I found the romance to be a bit cheesy but I know what can you expect from a gothic romance novel. For the most part the novel flowed really well and I enjoyed all of the descriptions of English countrysides and the way this author walked along the thin line of reality. Show Less
LibraryThing member moonshineandrosefire
There was one thing in Gilly Ramsey's lonely childhood that she enjoyed; the visits from her Godmother, Geillis, an extraordinary woman with unusual powers. When Geillis suddenly died, the adult Gilly inherited her charming little cottage, Thornyhold, and went to live there in the English
Once she arrived, Gilly encountered many strange occurrences; sinister neighbors, messages from beyond the grave and even the whisper of love. Just as Gilly grew closer to an attractive stranger and began to return his love, the inexplicable aura of suspense and witchcraft surrounding Thornyhold turned all too real and dangerous.
I have read a couple of Mary Stewart's books and have enjoyed some very much and others not so much. This book was very good except the plot was somewhat too easy to follow. I give this book a B+!
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countryside. Once she arrived, Gilly encountered many strange occurrences; sinister neighbors, messages from beyond the grave and even the whisper of love. Just as Gilly grew closer to an attractive stranger and began to return his love, the inexplicable aura of suspense and witchcraft surrounding Thornyhold turned all too real and dangerous.
I have read a couple of Mary Stewart's books and have enjoyed some very much and others not so much. This book was very good except the plot was somewhat too easy to follow. I give this book a B+!
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LibraryThing member murderbydeath
Interesting... unexpected in a lot of ways. Not sure what to really say about it beyond I enjoyed it and found it an easy story to fall into.
Gilly has a lonely childhood, punctuated by rare visits from her mother's lively, magical cousin and namesake. After the death of Gilly's parents, she gets a
This story would never survive today: people would complain that nothing happens, there isn't any plot. I suppose at its heart it's a romance, but the romance is so subtle as to be non-existent; the leap Gilly makes from acquaintance to love is startling even by today's insta-love standards. But boy, can Stewart write some atmosphere; and the characters are alive and compelling. I got 75% of the way through before it occurred to me that nothing was really happening: no building tension, no climatic showdown approaching. The ending was comic, which was totally unexpected and charming.
I think I'll buy myself a copy of this one; I finished it feeling like I'd read a good comfort read - perfect for a rainy afternoon.
Gilly has a lonely childhood, punctuated by rare visits from her mother's lively, magical cousin and namesake. After the death of Gilly's parents, she gets a
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letter informing her she's inherited her cousin's house, Thornyhold, as well as her reputation for being a witch.This story would never survive today: people would complain that nothing happens, there isn't any plot. I suppose at its heart it's a romance, but the romance is so subtle as to be non-existent; the leap Gilly makes from acquaintance to love is startling even by today's insta-love standards. But boy, can Stewart write some atmosphere; and the characters are alive and compelling. I got 75% of the way through before it occurred to me that nothing was really happening: no building tension, no climatic showdown approaching. The ending was comic, which was totally unexpected and charming.
I think I'll buy myself a copy of this one; I finished it feeling like I'd read a good comfort read - perfect for a rainy afternoon.
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LibraryThing member MerryMary
A nice modern-day gothic. Isolated house, mysterious sounds, rugged English landscape, tall handsome wounded man.....
LibraryThing member clue
An old fashioned (published in 1988) romance with a little fantasy thrown in. Pleasant but not as good as some other Mary Stewarts.
LibraryThing member Condorena
A lonely woman who relates that she had a hard childhood finally has a chance at happiness when she is left a cottage in a woods. It is a fairly desolate location but it doesn't take long to find friends and love. I enjoyed the story.
LibraryThing member SueinCyprus
Geillis moves to Thornyhold, a secluded house that belonged to her mysterious cousin. There the locals wonder if she might be a witch. There's a fair amount of suspense in this well-written book. A pleasant light read.
LibraryThing member librisissimo
A cozy romance, some small psychic elements. Takes place not long after WW2 in England.
A pleasant read, not too demanding.
Some plot holes., but nothing dramatically alarming.
Stewart is a good author in terms of substance and style, and is in the top level of this genre.
A pleasant read, not too demanding.
Some plot holes., but nothing dramatically alarming.
Stewart is a good author in terms of substance and style, and is in the top level of this genre.
LibraryThing member Jean_Sexton
Not really romantic suspense and certainly not a gothic, this quiet romance held my interest and soothed my soul. While the paranormal elements are certainly a major part of the book, they didn't overshadow the love in this book. It is obvious that there was a love of the land and the simpler time
Recommended for people who enjoy quiet fiction with a dose of romance and the paranormal.
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that the author shared with the reader. Recommended for people who enjoy quiet fiction with a dose of romance and the paranormal.
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LibraryThing member SandyAMcPherson
A charming and gentle story of a young woman, Gilly, inheriting a property from her mother's cousin. The author devised this story with a delicate balance drawn between the suspicious village people, newcomer Gilly, and some darker machinations which develop later. A touch of mystery and
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enchantment built suspense for a lovely afternoon read. Show Less
LibraryThing member classyhomemaker
I love a good gothic novel but don't love the dark themes that so many newer gothics carry. I really enjoyed Thornyhold because, while the story does contain a bit of witchcraftiness, it's seen to be a negative, even an ungodly, thing and the heroine keeps a pure heart. It's a simple story---a
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novella, really---and was a refreshing short read during a busy few days. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1988
Physical description
289 p.; 4.25 inches
ISBN
0449217124 / 9780449217122
Similar in this library
Pages
289