The Heart of the Family (The Eliot Family Trilogy)

This is the final installment of the Eliot trilogy. As the previous books "Bird in the Tree" and "The Herb of Grace" established the characters, we see them about 6 or 7 years later than the second book which was just after WW2 in England. Now they are in the early 50's era and struggling with real life issues which as per E Goudge-- isn't always a happily ever after. At least not yet. Some personal sacrifice is in order to bring about harmony within the family. It winds up the trilogy in a satisfactory way. Not everyone is happy, but it all turns out well. Flaws in each person are explored, the consequences of actions taken earlier are shown and everyone gets a chance to make things right.Of all the books this is the least likely to read as a stand alone, as much of the action depends on decisions made in the previous two books. However it wouldn't ruin anyone's pleasure to start here, or to just read this by itself, it's just for the full experience it would be nicer to read either of the previous two.I love this series. When I feel a bit depressed or tired, this set never fails to set me back up to enjoying life and other people again. Highly recommended.The first one in the trilogy is out in kindle, and this one. I'm just waiting for the middle book to be Kindle-ized.As for the Kindle version it is lovely. The odd typo, I think I caught 3 or 4, no more. But it is a good clean kindle version with a good active table of contents.

I had read the first two books in this trilogy and own them in hardback versions. But I hadn't read this third book as I had not heard very good recommendations for it. Being available on the Kindle now made it possible for me to read it with little financial investment.I was quite surprised at how much I truly enjoyed this book. Now, I would not recommend it as the first Goudge book someone reads and to truly understand it one should have read the first two books. But it is well worth reading for one who wants to know "the rest of the story".I do understand why some have not enjoyed this book as they did the first two. For this one concentrates a great deal on what the characters are pondering about life, love, faith, suffering, death, etc. I told my daughter, who didn't care for this story, that I think the people who would appreciate it the most or those of us who are a little older (or a lot older!) and those who have known true suffering. They (we) can read it an truly emphasize with the characters.I plan to peruse it again soon.

I've only read this book from the trilogy, but if the others are better, I'd be floored.This is not a simple book. It's basic outline is, of course, timeless - the telling of a family through generations. But this family, four generations still living, several years after World War II, and a survivor of the horrors of the war comes into the family is completely different from any others.It's about fears, love and hate, both real and imagined. It's about forgiveness, the kind that most of us yearn for and the cost. It is not for the faint of heart, because you must peel back the layers of these characters, it will not be done in a day, certainly not "beach reading".I'm not sure younger people will understand or even appreciate this book. It speaks of a mother's love, sometimes generations removed, eternal love, and even a child's love for things we no longer talk about.It's well worth the time spent, unlike so much of the "muck" that we wade through everyday.

This last book in the Eliot family story is much slower paced that the first two. It does have some excellent character insights, however and more life lessons you can use. As with the first two, if you're looking for fast-paced fiction with lots of story and action, this book isn't for you. If you have come to love the Eliots, the Herb of Grace and Damerosehay, you will appreciate this story. There are old friends and new ones. If you have loved the children in these stories, you will welcome the new ones introduced here. As with the first two books, read them if you need a quiet place to be.I had always wanted to go to England to find the Herb of Grace and Damerosehay, but sadly, the Herb of Grace isn't a real place and, though Damerosehay was a real house, it burned down may years ago. Still, they will always exist in my heart. And if you love the books, they'll exist in yours as well.

I totally love this author. I had read these books years ago, but then they went out of print for a really long time. I hadn't read the first one--The Bird in the Tree--and had only read The Heart of the Family once, long ago, before it disappeared from our library. I have a copy if Pilgrim's Inn which I have read and re-read and loved over the years. Elisabeth Goudge has a very descriptive, lyrical style of writing. These are not action novels, but thoughtful stories of family life--not perfect people, but rich and warm--a family I would love to know and a location that is actually real. Very satisfying.

I love Elizabeth Goudge , Pilgrims Inn and Damerosehay, but I really wish I hadn't read this book and had just stopped with Pilgrims Inn. That is one of my all time favorite books. In this one it focused too much on Sebastian and I really wanted to know more about the family. Also, this book made me almost hate David! and the fighting between Nadine and Lucilla upset me too. Pilgrims Inn and the Bird in the Tree were both so good and I love Green Dolphin Street. This book just made me unhappy.

By time I read this third book of the trilogy I felt I knew the family well, loved Lucilla as if she were my own grandmother and found answers to some of my own situations in her wisdom. Hillary I so wish I had for a confidante, feel he could help one find the answers or at least set one on the right path to finding the answers they sought. The entire family entertained me, gave me laughs and a few tears and much to think on, a good read all in all.

I first read this trilogy when it was written, about 70years ago when I was 23 and I am interested to find that I feel exactly the same about them as I did then. Well written, excellent evocative descriptions of houses and scenery, but it found I couldn't like most of the characters I was meant to like, especially the self-satisfied, self-centred old woman everyone loved so much. I quite hated her for her treatment of her daughter. I know her daughter didn't mind but I did. I felt she was quite heartless about the tea trolley, not minding abut that an old woman had to totter in with a heavy tea-tray. I had a lot of sympathy for Nadine. Still, it was interesting for to find that I still felt the same.

Elizabeth Goudge is great if you like older style writing which I do. Her characters are real and she has great insight into human character and the struggles they all face.It wouldn't suit everyone but I love her books. They are great if you don't want swearing or modern values jumping off the page all the time but prefer writing without offence but still enjoy a good story.

Loved the book as it is the final part of a trilogy Condition of the book very poor I wish I had purchased a new one

This trilogy 'The Eliots of Damerosehay' is life affirming and rooted in Goudge's Christian faith.

Part of a beautifully-written trilogy by Elizabeth Goudge. A positive correction to the family ills of modern life, though I suppose it's becoming dated, which is probably inevitable.