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D. E. Stevenson
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Amberwell Mass Market Paperback – January 1, 1978

by D.E. Stevenson (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 2,362 ratings
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Five young Ayrtons all grew up at Amberwell, playing in the gardens and preparing themselves to venture out into the world. To each of these children, Amberwell meant something different, but common to all of them was the idea that Amberwell was more than just where they lived -- it was part of them. Amberwell drove one of its children into a reckless marriage and healed another of his wounds...and there was one child who stayed at home and gave up her life to keep things running smoothly.
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  1. Book 1 of 2
    Ayrton Family
  2. Print length
    347 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Ace
  5. Publication date
    January 1, 1978
  6. ISBN-10
    044101965X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0441019656
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ace; First Thus edition (January 1, 1978)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 347 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 044101965X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0441019656
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.01 pounds
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 2,362 ratings

About the author

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D. E. Stevenson

D. E. Stevenson

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D. E. Stevenson (1892–1973), Dorothy Emily Peploe (married name) was a Scottish author of more than 40 light romantic novels. Her father was the lighthouse engineer David Alan Stevenson, first cousin to the author Robert Louis Stevenson.

2009 saw a renewed interest in Stevenson's books with the reissue of two of her most popular novels, Mrs. Tim of the Regiment (from Bloomsbury) and Miss Buncle's Book (from Persephone Books). The sequel, Miss Buncle Married, was reissued by Persephone in 2011.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
2,362 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Dkx
5.0 out of 5 stars Another lovely story
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2019
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I've enjoyed every book by D. E. Stevenson and this is one of my favorites. It deals with harder topics and feelings than some of the other books she wrote, but she always manages to tell her stories, even the hard ones, in gentle and tender ways. These stories are not overly complex, but they are satisfying and delightful and touching to read. Just what I needed. A slow, calm story, with lots of human experience and feeling and without nail-biting drama.
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Rebroxanna
4.0 out of 5 stars How They Grew Up
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2021
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This is the story of Five Little Children and How They Grew. I listened to this on Audible read by Lesley Mackie. With her gentle voice and slight Scottish accent, she added a lot to my enjoyment of this sometimes somewhat dark novel. While we hear about the children and their story it almost felt like I was being told a fairy tale and it was lovely, hoping as I was for happily ever afters for the children after the storms had passed. And lessons learned and justice served for those that required them.

The Ayrton children, two boys, and their three younger half-sisters are the children of two parents who don’t know or love their children, or even care to. They are not socialites or jet setters who are too busy with their own affairs to pay attention to their children. They are conventional and stolid pillars of the community. They keep the children from church and school and pretty much just ignore them unless they are useful to them. They just do not have any love in them. It was very odd.

Left to their own devices, they bring themselves up, thanks to a loving Nanny who unfortunately has little influence with the parents, and they do a wonderful job. Roger and Tom, in time, go off to boarding school where they learn that their parents and family are not normal. The reader spends the most time with Nell and Anne. The beautiful older sister, Connie, is nice as a little girl, but grows up only wanting to avoid unpleasantness and difficulty and doesn’t feel things very deeply. She gets married because that is what girls did and like her parents before her, we learn she is a horrendous parent, but in a different way. Nell and Anne are almost pathologically shy (unsurprisingly) sweet, and very close, with Anne being somewhat of a free spirit. They are both bright but ignorant scholastically and socially. It is Anne who was the most interesting with her fey ways and her unusual infectious laugh which is triggered by things the others do not find funny but can’t help but join in with her.

The war comes and has a dramatic effect on Amberwell, the center of the universe in this book. Mr. And Mrs. Ayrton are inconvenienced by the war, but that is the end of their involvement. But Roger and Tom go off to do their duty and become fine young men. Roger marries and has a baby. Nell comes out of her shell somewhat and becomes the dependable rock of the family. Anne, however, goes off to London with their Aunt and under her influence disgraces the family by eloping without the blessing of her parents. She disappears off the face of the earth. And we lose the most fascinating character in the book. Throughout the novel, the reader and Nell are consumed by Anne’s fate. Is she well and happily married? We have reason to hope, but why doesn’t she write? Or is she in dire straits? We don’t know until the end.

There are some sad and tragic times as well as a lot of growth and hope in this novel. Despite the happy ending, there were some disappointments and a boatload of loose ends and unrealized promise. Hopefully, the sequel (Summerhills)will resolve some questions and fates and provide some more closure. But I really liked this gentle and serious story with its intricately fashioned characters, insight, thoughtfulness, and atmosphere. **3 1/2 stars, rounded up**
2 people found this helpful
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Hank Lajoie
5.0 out of 5 stars Introduction to the Ayrton Family
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2017
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Here’s another look at how families rooted in the previous century’s traditions face up to changes in society, struggling with the realities of a world war. I read where this was compared to the television series Downton Abbey, but Amberwell stands on it own two feet. The characters, both likable and otherwise, are rich and colorful and it takes just a few pages in to hook most readers. The most likable character is Nell, who seems at first to be a minor character, but this reader at least, saw her as a rock in a family populated with dreamers, scoundrels and adventurers. Not much into series which obligate me to continue with a set of characters, I find this one to be an exception.
5 people found this helpful
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gigi
3.0 out of 5 stars A Sweet Book
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2017
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Written well and witth very vew errors. It kept my attention and made me anxious to pick up my book at the end of the day! A family saga, end happier than most, thanks to Mr. ORME, their priest, who brought a happy ending. All in all, pleasant book without difficult plots, twists or turns. Gigi
One person found this helpful
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Roxane
5.0 out of 5 stars Family
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2019
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We, this generation,has been blessed that we did have to endure the World War II sage, and this story tells it so well. What a tremendous and amazing time with the sacrifices that people made for God and Country. My father served, my mother gave in a way so many people were forced to survive. This was such a real story and I would recommend it to anyone of this generation and the generations to come. What a lovely story of a very tragic time. Those were the real Heros, the real life and death of an unforgettable time in our history. Thank you.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Brenda J. Mcquade
5.0 out of 5 stars enchanting story
Reviewed in Canada on September 8, 2021
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Very well written, couldn’t put it down. Reminded me of stories my mother and grandmother told me about war time.
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Gavin
5.0 out of 5 stars Behind scenes in the big house
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 21, 2023
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I love her writing; her characters are well written, and there are none of the hints of many novels which let you guess which way the story will move. I've bought the 2nd book, which I didn't know about, and am looking forward to continuing the story.
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Monique Harpignies
5.0 out of 5 stars What an utterly enchanting epic, graced by such fervent empathy and affe
Reviewed in Italy on November 19, 2018
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The narrative bubbles like a brook winding through the lives of five vibrant siblings whose childhood is spent in bucolic splendour, who come of age during WW2, each forging their separate destinies but with a common misfortune in having all lacked the support and compassion of unloving parents.
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sheep galore
5.0 out of 5 stars Charming
Reviewed in Australia on September 7, 2017
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The old fashioned style of writing, the detailed descriptions and the character development make for a delightful read. Spanning the time before, during and after the Second World War this story is gentle and believable. Such a breath of fresh air in today's society of instant everything.
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Sol
3.0 out of 5 stars Lectura agradable
Reviewed in Spain on January 23, 2016
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D E Stevenson suele dotar a sus personajes de vida y la trama se desarrolla desde su punto de vista, aunque sea en tercera persona. Sin embargo, en este caso no termina de conseguirlo, el narrador no desaparece para dejar el protagonismo a los personajes sino que permanece demasiado presente, es su voz la que cuenta lo que sucede en muchos fragmentos, sin llegar a transformarlo en algo real. A mitad de la historia se rompe demasiado el hilo y, aunque luego se retoma, es demasiado tarde. La trama, la vida de los cuatro hermanos Ayrton en Amberwell, no está mal y se lee con gusto pero me ha parecido más floja que otras novelas de la autora.
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