The Flowering

by Agnes Sligh Turnbull

The Flowering by Agnes Sligh Turnbull is a romantic novel. Agnes is known for her writing style, which is one of the most relaxing that you will ever read out there.

Genres: Romance

218 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Novelist Agnes Sligh Turnbull was born in 1888 in New Alexandria, PA. After a dozen years as a short story writer, Turnbull wrote her first novel, The Rolling Years, published in 1936. In the 14 additional novels she wrote over the next 40-plus years, Turnbull built a thorough chronicle of the Scots who settled and farmed rural Westmoreland County. Turnbull died in 1982.

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought a pile of vintage paperbacks on eBay for pennies and this was one of the better reads. The cover of mine differs from that shown on GoodReads, the man looks like Hank Marvin (remember him?)in his thick black spectacles, an unlikely romantic hero. "The Flowering" was published in 1971. It is a tale of town towns, Sackville and Westbrook. Westbrook is where the wealthy professionals and their lady-who-lunch wives live and Sackville is where their gardeners, maids, handymen live. The residents of Westbrook like to pretend that run-down Sackville and its residents don't exist unless they need to use them for something. The story centres around piano-playing Hester Carr who, at the age of thirty six, has recently lost her husband, Walter. She doesn't appear to be grieving for her passionless and childless marriage but does feel very much misplaced now that she is single again. She lives in her spacious home with her maid Hatty. Sligh describes Hester as Hatty's "Mistress" and Hatty appears to work from breakfast time until 11pm when she locks up the house. The residents of Westbrook live such sheltered lives that when a lone man is spotted doing nothing more sinister than taking a stroll during the night panic ensues. Hester buys herself a dog, strangely named Flushie to protect her. Hester reminisces about a mysterious romantic encounter she had on the deck of s ship when she was a teenager and hints that she regrets marrying so young. Suddenly a new man arrives in town, John Justin and he suggests that a drum and fife corps is established for the young men of Sackville and a choir for the women. The women of Westcott will make the uniforms. The language is quite comical "how are you cats doing?" Justin asks the local layabouts. Somewhat ridiculously they are all enchanted by the thought of wearing a uniform and joining the corps. I did think that this was just going to be a corny romance but Sligh Turnbull's story is more of a social commentary on what disadvantaged young people can achieve if people take an interest in them and give them something to take pride in. The snobbish residents of Westcott are made to look bigoted and unkind. Even the local Reverend won't let the Corp use his church hall for their recital because he doesn't want to upset his parishioners. and the school Principals are just as cowardly. There is a sort of Oliver Twist turn towards the end of the story which wasn't very credible at all but I didn't see it coming. I enjoyed the book and will be reading more of Sligh Turnbulls' work

[Michelle Fournier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Halfway through I was tempted to set it aside for boredom, but then it picked up and the second half went very quickly. I did not at all care for the silly way she extended the ending, especially when to me the romance was not the most important part of this story. But the ending was interesting and overall I enjoyed it just not every part.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hester Carr has everything she needs...except a man. In her small town, any stranger would cause talk. John Justin is especially mysterious. He takes long walks at night, seems to be familiar with the people in town, and has his own plans for making changes to the community. In this very gentle read, Hester finds herself drawn to this intriguing stranger.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely Agnes Sligh Turnbull. What a lovely gift that my dear friend Rachel gave me in introducing me to Mrs. Turnbull!

[Susan]

Colchester Library Book Sale June 26, 2011

[Linda Klager · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this author.