The Young Clementina

As all of D. E. Stevenson's works, this book is well written. The original title was Miss Dean's Dilemma, but the Young Clementina is the perfect one.The story was somewhat different from her other books, and it concerns love that lasts through a lifetime, not off with the old and on with the new. The first World War is plays a major role in the life of the 2 main characters, but it is in the background of the story. The idyllic countryside and the simple life we attribute to past times is not so idyllic. In some ways life is simpler, but in others, in the unfolding of a life, the characters had their tragedies, joys, and cross purposes, as we humans do. A fine book, if you like good writing, an English setting, and a fine story.

My first experience with D. E. Stevenson wasn't the best I could have hoped for. "Miss Buncle's Book" was quite all right in its way, but I didn't think it was as funny as everyone else did, nor did I connect to the characters the way others said they did. So I picked up "The Young Clementina" with a little hesitation only to find it much improved over "Miss Buncle." Maybe it's because there was more of a story, or because I liked Charlotte, or because I know what it's like to feel lonely and friendless and make up friends so you have someone to talk to. At any rate, I enjoyed it enough to be willing to pick up more Stevenson works.Charlotte Dean has had a hard time of it. Both her parents have died. She lost a friend and lover, Garth Wisdon, when he went to war and came back wanting nothing to do with her. Worst of all, he married her empty-headed little sister, Clementina (called Kitty), leaving Charlotte to her job at a bookstore. But when Kitty tramps into Charlotte's house demanding a bed for the night, a whirlwind of deceit, confusion, and heartbreak leaves Charlotte traveling to care for Kitty's daughter - the young Clementina.To make sense of what's happening to her, Charlotte writes a memoir addressed to her best friend. The fact that said best friend is a woman Charlotte only met once and doesn't even know the name of shows how lonely poor Charlotte is. But how often have you wondered about someone you met in passing, wondered if you and (s)he could become friends, could talk about books you want to read and trips you want to take? I know I have. I thought that made Charlotte all the more interesting and believable.I loved other things about Charlotte too, of course. I loved her honesty and trust in people's virtue that doesn't quite reach the silly naiveté of her sister Kitty. I loved her sensible outlook on everything (a particularly funny scene is one in which Charlotte is inundated by society people wanting to "make friends," which does nothing but bewilder her). And I loved the way she talked to her niece Clementina, person to person, not adult to child. Clementina herself isn't much of a child anyway, but she's mature and interesting, which is better than childish and adorable.And the plot was pretty good too. Each event seemed to logically follow the next but wasn't especially predictable. The only exception might be the end, but I was willing to let that slide given my love for the rest of the story. Predictable isn't always bad, and it wasn't here.I'd like to see what else D. E. Stevenson has written. If it's as good as this, or close, I'll be quite satisfied.

Loved this, except the end, which was all too predictable. It could have gone down as a classic if she hadn't given in to the urge to do the conventional, romance-genre ending. Plus the title is completely misleading. Other than that I loved the structure of the story and the way she reveals how deceptive appearances can be and how taking things at face value without doing your due diligence can wreck many lives. A wonderful, understated writer.

It is so difficult to find DE Stevenson books these days because public libraries have been discarding books by older authors like her to make room for more modern authors. The price of used out of print books are escalating scandalously, so I was delighted to see this ebook about to be published of a title I had never read. It arrived late yesterday and I have stayed up past 4am to finish reading it.For those of you that are Mrs. Tim or Miss Buncle fans, please be warned that this is one of her more serious novels.Mr. Dean (parson of Hinkleton Church) had two daughters: Char (Charlotte) and Kitty (Clementina). Char, the older, was taught at home by her father and spent her leisure hours reading and playing adventure games with her best friend Garth Wisdon (only child and heir of Mr. Wisdon of the luxurious Hinkleton Manor). Kitty, four years younger, doesn't care for boyish games or reading and was sent away to a boarding school to be "finished." Before Garth goes off to fight in WWI he and Char realize their friendship has grown into love. Char promises to wait for him.When Garth returns he is not the same--he treats Char cruelly and within two weeks he is engaged to marry Kitty. Char is emotionally crushed and after the wedding and the death of her father she leaves the country to work in London. Meanwhile Kitty and Garth have a daughter who they name Clementina.Just as Lassie always saved the day near the end of her half hour TV program, we know that somehow, despite many bitter moments, Stevenson will find happiness for Char by the end of the novel.It's not the very best Stevenson novel I have read but I loved it anyway and darn it I'm giving it 5 stars because I want more of her out of print titles to be e published.Added afterwards: I notice the publisher is Sourcebooks. This is the same publisher who put all of Georgette Heyer back in print so I have high hopes that we shall have more D.E. Stevenson to delight old fans soon.

such a lovely read.No violence, no swearing no sex just love.Couldn't put it down.

D. E. Stevenson escribe historias muy humanas con un lenguaje sencillo que conquista y que consigue encariñarte con sus personajes. Todas sus novelas son una delicia.

I read some of D.E. Stevenson books years ago so when I saw this I thought I would buy it. One thing, though is it is publishedin the States so consequently the spelling jars somewhat. However, apart from that the story is delightful and if you are aD.E. Stevenson fan you will love it. It was worth the wait. I see that the American publisher is bringing out another of herbooks soon too but it would be nice if one here could do it so we could have the right spelling! But maybe that is me justbeing pernickety. I do have the Miss Buncle books published by Persephone though.

A lovely book, but then I am a great fan of this author

I cannot fault D E Stevenson, loved her books since my early teens