The basis for Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s cinematic romance starring Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison. Burdened by debt after her husband’s death, Lucy Muir insists on moving into the very cheap Gull Cottage in the quaint seaside village of Whitecliff, despite multiple warnings that the house is haunted. Upon discovering the rumors to be true, the young widow ends up forming a special companionship … companionship with the ghost of handsome former sea captain Daniel Gregg. Through the struggles of supporting her children, seeking out romance from the wrong places, and working to publish the captain’s story as a book, Blood and Swash, Lucy finds in her secret relationship with Captain Gregg a comfort and blossoming love she never could have predicted.
Originally published in 1945, made into a movie in 1947, and later adapted into a television sitcom in 1968, this romantic tale explores how love can develop without boundaries, both in this life and beyond.
With a new foreword by Adriana Trigiani.
Vintage Movie Classics spotlights classic films that have stood the test of time, now rediscovered through the publication of the novels on which they were based.
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Written in 1945 and yet, Lucy Muir is a modern woman who just wants to be left alone to live her life as she pleases. She escapes the old-fashioned opinions of her dead husband’s sister, only to meet a very obstinate ghost, Captain Gregg, who has his own feelings about Lucy and her well-being.
As always, world-building is key for me. If an author can make me believe and empathize with the characters, I’m sold. R.A. Dick not only sold me on her characters, she also launched me into her cottage by the sea. The writing was so vivid I felt like I could see the sea grasses and breaking waves and smell the briny air.
One of the other things that impressed me about the writing was the honesty of R.A. Some of her opinions were much more modern than what I would have expected from my grandmother’s day.
One particular quote I highlighted and read to my husband: “I wonder if there is something wrong with me, she thought, that I can get so much from so little, because all my joy really comes from not doing… I must be very selfish, she thought, for I want to set nothing and no one right; all I want is to be left in peace to make what I can of this problem called life for myself and my children. What would the world be like, she wondered, if everyone minded his own business?”
If you have ever watched the movie based on this book, you should really read the book. Yes, the movie is great and shows a wonderful love story but details are missing from the book version. This is an old book and maybe hard to find. You probably will need to go to the library to get a copy. But it is a wonderful read by a very good author.
I really enjoyed this book. Glad that I bought this book from my local thrift store. I didn’t know anything about this book nor have I ever heard of this book. But again so glad I read it. The writing and the characters are amazing.
About book-
Lucy is a new young widow with two children wanting to move on her own and not be bothered by anyone. She looks at old cottage that looks like it’s been run down. And the landlord try’s to get her to look at another home.
Due to rumors say that this cottage is haunted my a captain who killed himself. But Lucy doesn’t care and wants to have a trial period. And she becomes to know the ghost that haunts the cottage.
This is a a wonderful love story that can never have a conventional happy ending, but it’s a satisfying read and a good ending nonetheless.
this book is the source of one of my favorite movies and I could not read it without hearing Rex Harrison and Gene Tierney.
Wonderful book (and a really cute TV series)
Loved the book just as much as the movie.
A wonderful read! Recently reread this from my younger years and still found it enchanting!
This was a repeat read but still enjoyed it.
It plays in your heart….
I loved this book & the movie too.
It has been awhile since I read this. I think I will read it again.
Better than movie!
I adored this book! Wonderful characters, great story! Could not put it down.
Loved the movie and the book was just an added bonus to read.
I loved this book – it took me away from the real world!
This book is a classic. Mrs.Muir comes to Gull Cottage after the death of her husband, mostly to get away from her mother-in-law. The ending is bittersweet but still beautiful. There are many differences fro the movie that make this book well worth the time to read it.
I loved the book and the movie. Very well written.
Classic
Great, but I liked the old classic movie even more.