Prune et fleur de houx

From Rumer Godden, the acclaimed author of Black Narcissus returns again to her beloved India win Coromandel Sea Change, a novel brimming with heart, wit, unforgettable characters, and 'a sense of timelessness reminiscent of E. M. Forster' (The Times). Hotel owner Auntie Sanni has entertained all manner of guests during her many years as hostess at Patna Hall, a popular vacation spot on the lush Coromandel coast. Now, with an election coming, business is especially brisk, and her hotel is packed with Indian politicians, British diplomats, journalists, American tourists - even an elephant, and a woman of mystery or two. Among the vacationers are Mary and Blaise, a young English couple on their honeymoon. But where Mary is enchanted by the colours, sounds and vibrant Indian life, prim and priggish Blaise sees only squalor, sordidness and a Coromandel Sea teeming with sharks. Matters are only made worse when Mary becomes interested in local Indian politics - particularly the handsome, exquisitely spoken candidate Krishnan, whose kindness and wisdom are like a balm for her spirit .

Coromandel Sea Change

A beautifully illustrated cover edition of Rumer Godden's classic story about friendship and family, Miss Happiness and Miss Flower. When little Nona is sent from her sunny home in India to live with her relatives in chilly England, she is miserable. Then a box arrives for her in the post and inside, wrapped up in tissue paper, are two little Japanese dolls. A slip of paper says their names are Miss Happiness and Miss Flower. Nona thinks that they must feel lonely too, so far away from home. Then Nona has an idea - she will build her dolls the perfect house! It will be just like a Japanese home in every way. It will even have a tiny Japanese garden. And as she begins to make Miss Happiness and Miss Flower happy, Nona finds that she is happier too.

Miss Happiness and Miss Flower

" La route est longue pour l'enfant du jeudi... " dit la comptine anglaise, et jamais ce ne fut plus vrai que pour Doone Penny, dernier né d'un couple d'épiciers de la banlieue de Londres. Ce beau et passionnant roman est l'histoire d'une vocation que rien ne va pouvoir infléchir. Pour le petit Doone qui veut devenir danseur classique, les premiers obstacles se trouvent d'abord à la maison. Sa sœur Crystal est jolie et douée. Leur mère, elle-même ancienne girl de music-hall, a reporté sur sa fille ses rêves de gloire artistique et la " pousse " de toute son énergie. La famille se saigne aux quatre veines pour payer les leçons de danse de Crystal. Mais quand Doone, accompagnant sa sœur pour lui porter ses chaussons, voit pour la première fois de la danse et participe occasionnellement aux répétitions d'un ballet, c'est une révélation, et c'est un envoûtement définitif. Consternation des parents : de sa mère, pour qui seule compte Crystal, et de son père qui estime qu'un garçon ne danse pas. Doone ne démordra pas de sa passion. Il suivra, lui aussi, envers et contre tous, le chemin qui le mènera du petit cours de quartier dirigé par la poignante Madame Tamara, jusqu'au pinacle dont il n'osait rêver : l'Ecole de danse de Queen's Chase, dans l'amitié d'une grande pianiste et d'un danseur étoile. Roman documentaire, certes. Rumer Goden sait de quoi elle parle. Elle nous restitue dans toute sa dureté l'existence laborieuse des apprentis danseurs et nous montre leur entraînement et la discipline de fer sans quoi ils n'arriveront à rien. Mais elle nous fait aussi partager leurs joies et nous communique les transports de bonheur auxquels atteignent ces jeunes êtres qui s'acharnent à transmuer l'effort physique en beauté et gagnent, pourrait-on dire, leur art à la sueur de leur corps. Et lorsque Doone, dans les coulisses du Théâtre Royal de Covent Garden, attend d'entrer en scène, aux dernières pages du livre, le lecteur est assurément à ses côtés, tremblant de trac, prêt à jaillir dans la lumière des projecteurs, à plonger dans les délices terrifiantes du triomphe.

Les enfants du jeudi

It is Christmas Eve and, for the toys in Mr Blossom's shop, it is their last chance to be sold. Holly, a small doll dressed especially for Christmas, wishes hard for her own special child. But the day ends and Holly is left in the window. On Christmas morning a little lost orphan girl finds herself outside the toyshop. Ivy has never had a doll to love, but when she sees Holly, she knows at once that this doll is meant specially for her. But Ivy has no money, and the shop is closed .

The Story of Holly and Ivy

The Peacock Spring is a beautiful and heartbreaking novel of loss of innocence and coming-of-age from Rumer Godden, the acclaimed author of Black Narcissus and The Greengage Summer. At fifteen and twelve, the daughters of diplomat have already seen more of the world than most girls of their age. But when Una and her younger sister, Halcyon, are summoned from their English boarding school to join their father in New Delhi, they encounter a reality unlike anything they have ever experienced. For Hal, India is a glorious adventure, filled with exotic sights and sounds, and a host of interesting new people. But Una feels like an outsider in this world of ingrained racial prejudice and cultural elitism left over from the days of the British Raj. Then Ravi, a young Indian gardener, brings a welcome light into Una's life, relieving her sadness and loneliness with poetry and compassion. But what begins as a simple friendship soon blossoms into a love forbidden by society, threatening to end in scandal and disaster.

The Peacock Spring - The classic historical novel from the acclaimed author of Black Narcissus

Tottie is a loving little wooden doll who lives with her family in a shoebox. The doll family are owned by two sisters, Emily and Charlotte, and are very happy, except for one thing: they long for a proper home. To their delight, their wish comes true. But then, a new arrival starts to wreak havoc in the dolls' house.

THE DOLL'S HOUSE

By the bestselling author of Black Narcissus and The Battle of the Villa Fiorita
'This is an absolutely heart-warming read, which will make you laugh, cry and love it' GUARDIAN 
'Her craftsmanship is always sure' NEW YORK TIMES
'Godden's expert narration, her beguiling setting and her heartening celebration of love and happy endings' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
'Never forget, Charlotte, you were born to be a dancer . . . Never forget. Promise.'
Before her ballet teacher died, Lottie promised Madame Holbein to be the dancer her mother never lived to become. Orphaned at birth, Lottie has been brought up by her aunt, and though she is loved, she is lonely. Then she finds Prince, a spaniel puppy, and discovers a love and loyalty that is boundless. 
When Lottie passes the tough audition for Queen's Chase, Her Majesty's Junior Ballet School, everybody is thrilled - except, surprisingly, Lottie. She will have to board at school, and what will happen to her beloved dog? To choose between the two is breaking her heart.

Prune et fleur de houx

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