The Bird in the Tree
Elizabeth Goudge, Published Coronet Books, 256pp, paperback, £5.99, ISBN 0-340-02683-9

All of Elizabeth Goudge's novels are a quiet delight, and this is no exception. It's the first in a trilogy about the Eliot family, the other books being The Herb of Grace and The Heart of the Family

The Eliot family revolves around Lucilla who, after being left a widow and losing her favourite son, has dedicated her life to the creation of a special haven for her family, particularly her orphaned grandson David, at Damerosehay.

Peace is threatened when David falls in love with the beautiful Nadine, his uncle's soon to be divorced wife. Lucilla sees that a marriage between Nadine and David would jeopardise the happiness and tranquility of many of the family.

Elizabeth Goudge had a knack for telling good stories about families and family values. The characters are not perhaps as violent or sharp as those we might expect today, but they are not saints. There are always children involved who are as important as the adult characters, maybe because of the need to emphasise the importance of the future: the adults are building the world in which the children will live, and they recognise the need to do it as well as possible.

Some may find the stories too 'sweet', but they are like fairy stories for adults: you know there'll be a happy ending and a certain amount of moral guidance. Simply a relaxing read.