A New York Times–bestselling novel of the lives, loves, and foibles of five generations of a British family occupying a manor house in Wales. For nearly one hundred and fifty years the Quin family has lived at China Court, their magnificent estate in the Welsh countryside. The land, gardens, and breathtaking home have been maintained, cherished, and ultimately passed along—from Eustace and Adza … along—from Eustace and Adza in the early nineteenth century to village-girl-turned-lady-of-the-manor Ripsie Quin, her children, and her granddaughter, Tracy, in the twentieth.
Brilliantly intermingling the past and the present, China Court is a sweeping family saga that weaves back and forth through time. The story begins at the end, in 1960, with the death of the indomitable Ripsie, whose dream of a life at the grand estate was realized through her marriage to the steadfast Quin brother who loved her—though he wasn’t the one she had always loved.
With thrilling literary leaps across the decades, the story of a British dynasty is told in enthralling detail. It is a chronicle of wives and husbands; of mothers, sons, and daughters; of those who could never stray far from the lush grounds of China Court and the outcasts and outsiders who would never truly belong.
Bearing comparison to One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, Rumer Godden’s novel relates the history of a family with sensitivity, wit, compassion, and a compelling touch of magical realism. A family’s loves, pains, triumphs, and scandals are laid bare, forming an intricate tapestry of heart-wrenching humanity, in a remarkable work of fiction from one of the most acclaimed British novelists of the twentieth century.
This ebook features an illustrated biography of the author including rare images from the Rumer Godden Literary Estate.
more
Beautifully written. Reading China Court was like watching a beautiful flower unfold. The family tree in the front of the book (including the Kindle version) was helpful in sorting out the characters’ relationships in time.
Somehow you know everything is going to turn out right in the end of this book. Even though it is a little predictable, it was well written and enjoyable. It took quite a while to get into this book. About the first 40% of the book was background before she finally got into the story.
Difficulty keeping characters straight. Boring.
Perhaps not my favorite Rumer Godden novel, but still captivating and unique. I came to her work late in life, having read The River only five years ago as one of a group of books being tossed out by a former colleague at the college.
I have become a Godden disciple since then and have read almost all of her books. Though my favorites are those that deal with India, all of her work is written in a voice that is only hers. It is soft, sensitive, penetrating, knowing, and kind. I cannot think of a modern writer who speaks with such a voice; her prose envelops you in a time and place so completely that you feel as if you were not only there, but that you had already lived through it. Read Rumer Godden if you appreciate fine writing about exotic locales touched by the British Empire.
Surprise ending!
Well written family saga
Tiresome. Not as good as her other books. Quit before it was over.
Light and pleasant if predictable.
A wonderful story about a family history. You need to learn the names of the people in each generation, as the narration slides from story to story thematically.
This is a book for the reader who savors life– one who is tuned into the natural and artistic world, is curious about human nature, and appreciates his or her personal environment. It’s just a good story. I thoroughly enjoyed it –couldn’t put it down. The characters and their lives are varied and true to the twists of fate and the unpredicability of human nature. The ending is a bit sweet, but I don’t object to a bit of sugar right now.
Read it so long ago can’t remember.
I liked this book. You kind of have to stay with it and plow through it. Good story told in a very interesting and original way.
A classic which I had never read before.
I started reading it but it didn’t engage me. I didn’t like the writing.
My favorite Rumer Godden.
Tries too hard to be Downton Abbey
Did not flow well for me…jumping back and forth with characters and scene’s.
Sorry but I was seriously bored with this one, and put it down shortly.
Too too too way too much detail. I wondered if all the distracting bits were to keep one reading while waiting for a story to unfold?
Beautiful language
This is one book I really did not like.
I really enjoyed the book. Only reason I didn’t give it a five was the far-fetched twist in the end.