The Laurel Bush: An Old-Fashioned Love Story

by Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

The story revolves around the lives of two lonely young people—Fortune Williams, a governess, and Robert Roy, a tutor—who find themselves drawn to each other amidst their daily duties, exploring themes of love, isolation, and societal expectations. Their relationship develops subtly against the backdrop of their responsibilities to the children they teach, ultimately rendering their feelings a poignant reflection of unattainable love. The opening of the novel introduces a peculiar laurel bush, which serves as both a physical and symbolic anchor for the budding relationship between Fortune and Robert. As the narrative unfolds, readers are introduced to the dynamics of their work environment, highlighting the interactions with mischievous boys and the indifferent grandmother who oversees their employment. The quiet tension between Fortune and Robert grows as they enjoy solitary moments together, yet they struggle with their feelings due to societal constraints and personal reservations. This sets the stage for a heartfelt exploration of their emotional journeys, marked by introspection, unspoken affections, and the weight of their pasts.

198 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 20, 2011

About the author

Dinah Maria Craik (born Dinah Maria Mulock, also often credited as Miss Mulock or Mrs. Craik) was an English novelist and poet. She was born at Stoke-on-Trent and brought up in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.

After the death of her mother in 1845, Dinah Maria Mulock settled in London about 1846. She was determined to obtain a livelihood by her pen, and, beginning with fiction for children, advanced steadily until placed in the front rank of the women novelists of her day. She is best known for the novel John Halifax, Gentleman (1856). She followed this with A Life for a Life (1859), which she considered to be the best of her novels, and several other works. She also published some poetry, narratives of tours in Ireland and Cornwall, and A Woman's Thoughts about Women (1858).

She married George Lillie Craik a partner with Alexander Macmillan in the publishing house of Macmillan & Company, and nephew of George Lillie Craik, in 1864. They adopted a foundling baby girl, Dorothy, in 1869.

At Shortlands, near Bromley, Kent, while in a period of preparation for Dorothy's wedding, she died of heart failure on 12 October 1887, aged 61. Her last words were reported to have been: "Oh, if I could live four weeks longer! but no matter, no matter!" Her final book, An Unknown Country, was published by Macmillan in 1887, the year of her death.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seem doomed to finish bittersweet books at the end of this Victober 2025. 😂 This was so sweet but also rather painful. It’s like Persuasion but doubled. I did like the writing style a lot, though it’s more introspective than plot driven. Robert Roy and Fortune Williams are lovely characters. There is many a virtue in this story, which is tremendously heartening.

[Gina House · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5🌟 “To be with him was like having an arm to lean on, a light to walk by; and she had walked alone so long.”

This was a surprisingly wonderful book.

Dinah Mullock Craik is an author I have heard of many times, but I’ve never read. I’m so grateful for Victober and Katie at xxxxx because I’m not sure I would have tried her books otherwise.

The Laurel Bush is a slow burn, but a beautiful and poignant one. Although it is not a cheerful book, it dives deep into loyalty, mature love and patience.

Although a few parts frustrated me (the usual lack of communication or action to clear up disagreements), I still really enjoyed it.

Fortune Williams and Robert Roy are quiet and likable characters that filled my heart with comfort for future days. The supporting characters in the story were the perfect supports that kept the foundation of the plot strong and believable.

[Carm9n · Rating 4 out of 5]

My impressions here:
https://carmenyamigos.blogspot.com.es...