Goudge's books accomplish two things; they make you think, but they also manage to make you feel good. I've read almost all of her books, but this is my favorite. I began keeping a journal of quotations because of this book. It's also the first out-of-print book that I ever searched for and bought for myself,(a few years before the internet made it easy!). For those who love books set in England, this has it all - the beautiful manor house of Damerosehay (Dam er rose hay)- the beautiful elderly patriarch, Lucilla, who knows what's best for each of her adult children - David, the young actor, Hilary, the country parson...British country life at it's best.