I Take Thee, Serenity

Kendal Trilogy #3

by Daisy Newman

An inspirational story of Peter and Serenity, young people confronted with the problem of making a true marriage in the midst of the world's demands. Shares Quaker beliefs. For all readers.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Inspirational

324 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Daisy Newman, a novelist and Quaker historian, was born in Southport, England, of American parents. She attended Radcliffe College, Barnard College and Oxford University. An active member of the Friends Meeting in Cambridge, Mass., she frequently wrote about Quaker life and history.

She was the author of many novels, including "Now That April's Here," "Diligence in Love," "The Autumn's Brightness" and "I Take Thee, Serenity." She also wrote a history of American Quakers, "A Procession of Friends." She died in 1994.

Reviews

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, when the timing is right, when your heart or mind are in a certain place and are prepared in just a particular way, specific books can be doorways. Doorways through which you walk and where new truth opens up and what is revealed is so profound it changes something inside you.

That was my experience with I Take Thee, Serenity. Not that the characters or occurrences in the story were similar to my own life or experience, but more that the searching for answers and being led to them, often in surprising ways, is something completely familiar and that resonates with me.

Perhaps for some readers the slang of the seventies might be off-putting, or the unfamiliarity of the Quaker lifestyle seem strange. For me, this was not a perfectly written book but it was certainly a heartfelt one read at the perfect moment. A gentle, beautiful book.

[Val Nostdahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

believe it or not I found this book in the early 80's and fell in love with the story, even red the 2nd book by the author, I liked the name so much I decided to name my first baby, serenity, it took some doing to convince family this is what I wanted, and on the day she was born, her dad actually liked it so well he named her, and came back to my room after I had her to tell me she was here!

[Zana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful book, and I love it unreservedly.

I'm not sure anyone besides me would love it. It is very much a novel about the 70s, and commenting on society then. I don't even know if would make sense to anyone who is not already Quaker, for all that its central story is about a young woman discovering Quakerism and realizing that she and her fiancé are feeling led to be married under the care of a meeting.

But I love it on its own merits. The characters are complex, everybody develops over time, and it's a lovely coming of age story set among a community that sounds absolutely heavenly to be a part of.

I found it in the library of a local Quaker meeting. None of the books I checked out had been checked out in the preceding decade. But this is why we maintain meeting libraries: for the moment when somebody comes through, searching for something that speaks to their soul.

[Douglas Donaldson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In some ways this book, aimed at young people living in the 1960s, is dated in its approach. Still, as an introduction to Quaker values and living, I found the book inspiring and eventually read the other works by Daisy Newman. It seems she wrote the same story for several generations. We all hope for and at the same time disbelieve in innocent hamlets. This book--along with Diligence in Love and others--will inspire belief. Recommended for young women especially, but also for those who can still find such a reader inside them.

[Gizella Czene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this story as a teen and it inspired my life-long interest in Quakers. I am now a supporter of the American Friends Society and consider myself a nontheistic friend.

[John Pitcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serenity encompassed my being. I felt at peace as if I were at Fairbank. I also wanted to learn more about the Quaker religion. This was a nice way to start the New Year.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Take Thee, Serenity was a gentle and intriguing book as Serenity and Peter long to find answers to life. They wee college students but Serenity knew about her ancestors being Quakers. Her journey to visit an uncle and aunt was the beginning of an adventure and truly finding where she wanted to be. This novel provided history of the Friends Society and their beliefs which is a quiet, productive and useful life serving God and others. I also enjoyed the perspective of the arts with Aunt Daphne being an artists. This definitely was a worthwhile read, even though it was written back in 1975.

A senior citizen gave me this book when they were downsizing., thus a review was not required. I have simply expressed my own opinion.

[Marian Beaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers looking for a serene setting and cast of multi-generational characters will find it in “I Take Thee," Serenity by Daisy Newman, a “clean” read, for sure. The third in the Kendal Trilogy, the author accompanies Peter and Serenity on their search for the essence of a good marriage. But, first the pre-wedding details, which include exploring Rennie’s Quaker roots in the American Northeast. As one reviewer has stated, the author plumbs “the strength of family, the depth of loss, and the power of forgiveness." Readers have also commented on the movie adaptation, which follows the plot and characters in living color.

[Je9 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing book. Rhode Island is the setting which i didn't know very much about (and still don't ) but do know more than I did at least. Also talked quite abit about Quakers and I didn't know much about them either besides for their help in the underground railway. The only reason it's not 5 star is because there was a little bit too much detail for me. Some days I would have liked that too tho just not for this season of my life I guess.

[Mary List · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another sweet little treasure I found at my library, & I read it many, many times

[Samantha Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all-time favorite books. I read it not too long before I met my husband.

[Ram · Rating 3 out of 5]

A kind of heart warming, coming of age novel by Daisy Newman in “I Take Thee, Serenity”.

More at

https://vramonline.wordpress.com/2024...

[Gennyfer Hanvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reread this book this week after about 30 years. At least I think it was a reread as I remembered loving it as a girl but my 30 years older memory and perspective made it very different. It really is a cautionary tale written in reaction to the easing of sexual moral standards brought about by the advent of the pill. It is also a lovely look at Quakerism and a great example of living a more mindful life. Because of the moral point Newman is trying to strike home about premarital sex that pops up in the narrative with a discordant clang at times I hesitated to give the book 5 stars. Still though as a Quaker woman that longed for the wedding depicted in the same picture that sparked Serenity's curiosity I still love this book without hesitation. As what was written as a contemporary piece, but, provides a glimpse at the historical shift in feminism at the time it was written I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Women's Studies.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I struggled with this book, and thought that Newman was not a good writer. But the deeper in the book I got, the less I noticed her particular style, and I absolutely fell for this story. In fact I keep picking it up and re-reading parts. The book is a novel, but a novel about a couple discovering Quakers, and so she describes meeting for Worship, business meeting, a Quaker wedding, how Quakers deal with death, how Quakers live, plain speech - it's is all shown.

It is all a bit shiny and wonderful - but that is how I like my Quakers of a morning!

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I by this time had gotten in the habit of getting the Readers Digest Condensed books as soon as they came in the mail and then sat down and read every story in there. I LOVED books and couldn't get enough of them. Hence me reading stuff that was WAY too old for me to read. :)
This is a great love story. A sweet story. I think my mom still has this copy of the RDC and I think I am going to steal it from her and read all the stories again! YAY

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally got this book on an interlibrary loan from Carthage Public Library. I am excited about finding out how the different characters came to be in it's sequel "Indian Summer of the Heart." It was great to find out more about Serenity and Peter. It wass an enjoyable book to read, there is a feeling of peace and yes, serenity, in it as well as in "Indian Summer of the Heart."

[CLM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming if improbable story about a couple who decide to marry very young, and become part of a Quaker community in Rhode Island. Although dated, it is a fascinating introduction to the Quaker religion and lifestyle.

Mrs. Newman was the housemother in my mother's college dorm.

[Blaine Morrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warm and comforting, this book provides a look at Quaker traditions and lifestyles and follows a young woman's growth toward self-discovery. A good read for anyone looking for spiritual growth or development.

[Doris Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this story in a Reader's Digest condensed book as well as the sequel Indian Summer of the Heart when my children were very young. I became interested in the Quaker way of life and found both stories beautiful.

[Margaret Boehm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very moving. Enjoyable.

[Vikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Quaker story of two college students who want to marry. Very good.

[Jobiska (Cindy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps dated now, but I still love it. I wouldn't be surprised if this novel helped inform the Quakerism of several girls of my generation...

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. I'm pretty sure I would have hated this book had I not been fascinated with Quakers when I read it.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this years ago. Like in high school. Loved it then. Enjoyed reading it again. A bit dated but
still good.

[Diane Wachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

RDC-M V 1 1976, 6/78. A novel about a young couple, college life, marriage, and their Quaker religion. Okay.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm only read the condensed version but I found it inspirational and interesting.