Henrietta's House by Elizabeth Goudge (1942)

Henrietta’s House was written in 1942. I’m always amazed that there were so many women writing ‘domestic fiction’ during the war years. I read that the stubborn heroism of the civilian population was a necessary "military weapon" to stand against the demoralisation and capitulation of the British people, especially during the Blitz. 

Henrietta’s House is a children’s novel and wouldn't be classed as domestic fiction, but it was written in desperate times and so could be thought of as a stand against hopelessness and despair. Why write a children's novel if you succumbed to the idea that the world as you knew it wouldn't be around much longer? It feels like a fairy tale to a certain extent but in Goudge’s hands it becomes a decidedly moral tale - in the best sense. ❤️

Henrietta, with her brother, Hugh Anthony, aunt & uncle, grandparents & their elderly friends, as well as a couple of dogs, head off in horse-drawn vehicles and a new car for a picnic to celebrate Hugh’s birthday. Along the way the car breaks down & gets abandoned, and the whole company is swept into strange adventures in which some refining of character occurs. ❤️

There’s also humour throughout Henrietta’s House. One of the guests on the picnic was Mrs Jameson. She was a neighbour & the rich widow of a missionary ‘who had had the misfortune to be eaten by cannibals, had become a little peculiar in her ways after her sorrow and was rather an anxiety to take out.’ Grandfather had told Henrietta that ‘one must be very kind to people in this unfortunate condition.’

Kindness, respect for old age & deliverance from pride are themes throughout the story. 

‘Canon and Mrs Roderick in spite of having had many children of their own still adored the species.’

‘They hardly spoke, they were so busy absorbing the beauty into their very souls.’

‘When a man loses his pride he often finds his heart.’

A lovely story for the young and anyone else who appreciates good children’s literature.