Rereading: THE CASTLE OF YEW by Lucy Boston

Cover and illustrations by Margery Gill

The author is better known as L. M. Boston, I think this was an attempt to update her work a bit for young readers, using her actual first name, and having this short chapter book illustrated by Margery Gill rather than her son Peter Boston, as was usually done. The story seems to take place at the house Boston lived in for 50 years, Hemingford Grey, like her famous Green Knowe series, though it’s not named. The old woman living in the house is probably Lucy herself.

Young Joseph lives near the riverside house with its massive garden, and longs to see more of it than he can from outside the fence. He decides to try going in the front gate, and then the postman asks him to bring the mail in for him, a stroke of luck. Joseph asks the old woman who lives there if he can explore the garden, and she gives permission. He has a fine time doing that, and when he comes to a part where yew hedges have been shaped to look like chess pieces, he finds one that seems to be made into a small castle. Joseph yearns to get inside to see more, and his wish is granted when he’s suddenly a few inches tall. The yew castle has been improved with a spiral stair up the trunk and several rooms, and soon Joseph meets another boy about his age, Robin, who has been playing knight in the castle. The two join forces to repel invaders like a moorhen and a cat.

Simple, short, but full of magic and beautiful writing. Recommended.

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