Seven White Gates

Lone Pine #2

by Malcolm Saville

Book 2 in the Lone Pine Series.....Involves the Lone Piners and the unhappy uncle , the haunted mountain , the mysterious ridge called Devil's Chair and the ghosts and legends of Stiperstones..Another gripping tale from the pen of Malcolm Saville

Genres: Childrens, Mystery, Fiction, British Literature

268 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1944

About the author

Leonard Malcolm Saville was an English author best known for the Lone Pine series of children's books, many of which are set in Shropshire. His work emphasises location; the books include many vivid descriptions of English countryside, villages and sometimes towns.

(wikipedia)

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in the 'Lone Pine' series, this book is about Peter's lonely Uncle Micah, grieving for his son who left home after an argument some years previously. It's also an exciting adventure for David Morton and his somewhat annoying (though generous and loyal) twin siblings, Dickie and Mary.

Intended for teenagers, suitable for children, and a good light read for anyone! I have read it several times over the years, but only recently acquired a hardback edition, which has a lot more conversation and general characterisation than the abridged Armada which I had previously read.

Very enjoyable, best to read after 'Mystery at Witchend', but it's not essential.

Four and a half stars, really.

Full review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It all happens very quickly in this book. The twins get lost again (I'm going to keep a tally on this re-read; there can only be a couple of books in which they don't get lost) and I like the Uncle Micah plot. Seven White Gates is a strong location which plays a big part in later stories and this is a good introduction to it, and to the Stiperstones country.

[Farseer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Lone Pine series. These twenty books are British fiction for children that were written from 1943 to 1978. It's about a bunch of kids who form a club and have adventures in the Welsh countryside. This one, from 1944, was written during WWII.

In my mind I can't help comparing it to that other British writer of children's adeventures, Enid Blyton. There are some similarities, like the group of boys and girls having their holidays in the countryside, relatively free from adult supervision, playing and having adventures.

I find this books more down-to-earth than Blyton's, more connected with a real location. At the same time, I don't think Saville was as good a storyteller as Blyton. His adventure is less focused. Another reviewer wrote "the kids run around like they have ADHD and an accomodating adult is never far away to provide food or shelter". And that's spot on. They run around, and the adventure kind of happens, but they do not seem to enjoy the same independence from adults and the same awareness of the adventure as Blyton's characters.

On the plus side, I found the twins more amusing than in the first book. They are still up to their annoying customs, mind you, but I'm getting used to them and seeing the funny side of their anctics. They provide a welcome dose of individuality and zaniness.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up as I was after something light and pleasant.

The book harks back to an England where young girls sent telegrams to get their trunks forwarded before setting off across the countryside on bicycle to stay with their estranged uncle.

It is charmingly written and the language is quaint - hearing people referred to as gay or queer using the original meanings ages the book.
I do get a kick out of the language where things are "rum" and people "shout like fun" and "like red-headed girls because they are jolly rare"

The kids run around like they have ADHD and an accomodating adult is never far away to provide food or shelter.

A fun book but a little too sedate for me. The story is quite pedestrian but doesn't hang around once it gets going.

I won't hurry to continue the series unless I feel the need for a nostalgia that is before my time.

[Greyscotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

My very favourite book of all time! I can't count the number of times that I've read it. I do actually own a first edition - 1944! Confound the paperbacks; they're worthless. If you want an admirable YA book, this one's for you.

[Sue Law · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little more indulgence. I liked this better than "Mystery at Witchend" (though my adult self still finds the twins annoying).
It's the start of the Easter Holidays but Peter's father has to go to town to a meeting with the Water Board, so arrangements are made for her to stay with her strange Uncle Micah at his farm near the Stiperstones. On the way her bike has a puncture and she is helped by a friendly girl from Barton Beach Post Office, Jenny Harman. Aunt Carol is happy for her to invite the Mortons to camp in the big, unused barn, so the scene is set for adventures on the Stiperstones.

[Ian Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Lone Pine series but the first that I have read. It reminded me of Enid Blyton's Secret Seven and Famous Five series of books, but there are more serious themes in this book (grief, prejudice and mental illness) than I remember in Enid Blyton's books.

The Lone Piners are a group of 5 friends (the 3 Morton children and 2 of their friends), who meet up during the school holidays for camping and adventures. This time Peter is sent to stay with her odd, bible quoting uncle on his farm and the others join her later. The main adventure involves the young twins (the best characterised children in the novel) in a nighttime excursion to an abandoned mine.

The pacing of the story is quick. The dialogue is quaint and old fashioned and one or two aspects of the adventure require a suspension of belief but on the whole, the story is not overly fanciful.

[Selaya Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I may or may not have said before, this "Lone Pine" adventure is one of my stepfather's favourites. It's rapidly becoming one of mine as well; no definitive villains - except, of course, the scary old Uncle & Jenny's stepmum. The twins, naturally, get themselves into a bit of trouble but are able to weather their storm in their usual inimitable way. Add to that the happiest ending of any of the series and there's a winner for you. If you haven't had a chance to grab a copy, I suggest you try a used bookstore or two. You never know.....right?

BTW: this IS a Newnes hardcover first edition and comes in at about 200 pages: pictures and all. Enjoy.

[Greyscotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this before. I own a 1944 first edition ( complete with Bertram Prance's illustrations ) of this and every time I read it I find something new. Those of you who are Lone Pine fans need to get your hands on a copy of this ..... no kidding.

[Geoff Earl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book second hand at a local cafe having just walked the Stiperstones.

Shropshire version of the famous five. Fair rattles along. Classic 1940's middle class children's book writing. Good descriptions of the Shropshire countryside.