Elizabeth Goudge strives for a happy ending in her purely fictional books, but in historical fiction about Lucy Walter and Charles II, there's no possibility of that. It's a well written book with sympathetic characters, but it's heart wrenching. ( )

touchy feely, extreme speculation ( )

As I was working my way through the book I had in my mind three stars, but the ending or last third of the book gave one more. Not as good as Green Dolphin Street, not as much action, which is reasonable consider the focus of the book; Lucy Walter, the first wife of Charles the Second. For a novel that takes place in the years before and during the English Civil Wars there is very little action, which to male readers is a drawback. But spiritually it is a very deep heart felt book. I dont know if Ms. Goudge is a Christian but to judge from the power she believes in prayer and the concepts of forgiveness and grace she must have some religious feelings. ( )