O. Douglas (1877–1948)
Auteur van Penny Plain
Over de Auteur
Ontwarringsbericht:
(eng) O. Douglas is the full name of this author: the initial O is not short for any other name. Her fiction was all published under the name O. Douglas, while her autobiography Farewell to Priorsford and a Buchan family memoir Unforgettable, Unforgotten were published under her real name Anna Buchan.
If your book appears on this page, and is not by the author also known as Anna Buchan, please edit your information to include the author's full forename, rather than the surname and first initial only. Your book should then appear on the correct author page.
Fotografie: Anna Buchan, circa 1940s
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Tagged
Algemene kennis
- Officiële naam
- Buchan, Anna Masterton
- Pseudoniemen en naamsvarianten
- Douglas, O. (pseudonym)
- Geboortedatum
- 1877-03-24
- Overlijdensdatum
- 1948-11-24
- Graflocatie
- St. Andrew's Cemetery Peebles, Scottish Borders, Scotland
- Geslacht
- female
- Nationaliteit
- UK
- Geboorteplaats
- Pathhead, Scotland, UK
- Plaats van overlijden
- Peebles, Scotland, UK
- Woonplaatsen
- Perth, Scotland, UK
Broughton, Peeblesshire, Scotland, UK - Opleiding
- Hutcheson's Grammar School, Glasgow
- Beroepen
- novelist
- Relaties
- Buchan, John (brother)
Buchan, Susan Grosvenor (sister-in-law)
Buchan, John Norman Stuart (nephew)
Buchan, James (great-nephew)
Buchan, William James de l'Aigle (nephew)
Buchan, Ursula (great-niece) - Ontwarringsbericht
- O. Douglas is the full name of this author: the initial O is not short for any other name. Her fiction was all published under the name O. Douglas, while her autobiography Farewell to Priorsford and a Buchan family memoir Unforgettable, Unforgotten were published under her real name Anna Buchan.
If your book appears on this page, and is not by the author also known as Anna Buchan, please edit your information to include the author's full forename, rather than the surname and first initial only. Your book should then appear on the correct author page.
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Besprekingen
A Cinderella story for the early 1900s. Not that there are any evil stepsisters or stepmother. It's just an impoverished but generally perky family, the Jardines, who make the acquaintance of their new neighbor, Pamela, a wealthy woman from London who has come to their out-of-the-way town to try to clear her mind about some things. The book is about their friendship, about the pleasantness of home and village life, and about the far-reaching implications of one unselfish act. Throw in a couple of romances, and you've got a pleasant enough, but not really memorable, fairy tale.… (meer)
After a recommendation I first read "The Setons" many years ago, and remembered it as a daughter of the Manse tale, largely set in Glasgow. I had forgotten the story was set at the time of the First World War. Reading it for a second time I was astonished by the end, the fearless way in which the author remorselessly kills off characters, the contrast between daily life in Scotland before and during the slaughter of war seeringly highlighted. "The Setons" was published in 1917, when there was no end in sight to the fighting, the outcome of the First World War unknown; its declaration of the human cost of war seems very brave. The author, real name Anna Masterton Buchan (1877-1948) was the sister of John Buchan, Lord Tweedsmuir (1875-1940), celebrated for novels of patriotic daring-do, such as the spy story, "The Thirty-Nine Steps" published in 1915. I wish I could have witnessed a discussion between these two.… (meer)
O Douglas was born Anna Buchan in Pathhead, Scotland, the younger sister of John Buchan and I understand that most if not all her novels are set in her native Scotland. Pink Sugar takes place in the fictional Scottish locations of Muirburn, Priorsford, and the delicious sounding house of Little Phantasy. O Douglas books are of a domestic type, vintage escapism, where nice things largely happen to nice people in nice places – and virtually nothing of the reality of the outside world is allowed in. However, do not let the title fool you, although an unashamed feel good read, this is not as syrupy and sweet as the title may lead you to think.
Our heroine is Kirsty Gilmour a young woman of thirty (though she fears she is now dreadfully old) returned at last to her beloved Scotland after years abroad with her manipulative step-mother. Kirsty had hated the endless round of society that hotel life abroad had brought her, a life her step-mother had revelled in. Now returning to the Scottish Borders of her birth, she is free for the first time in her life, with a good income to live on, and no one to tell her what to do. Kirsty is determined to ‘live for others’ her good and charitable personality making her long to bring happiness to others – or at least release them from trouble or unhappiness. Her attitude to life is the Pink Sugar of the title – an attitude so called by her landlord – the apparently grumpy Colonel Home.
“Surely we want every crumb of pink sugar that we can get in this world. I do hate people who sneer at sentiment. What is sentiment after all? It’s only a word, for all that is decent and kind and loving in these warped little lives of ours.”
Kirsty is perfectly genuine and nothing like as irritating that truly good people can sometimes be. Kirsty runs her new home with the help of Nellie and Miss Wotherspoon a housemaid who insists on being called ‘Miss.’
In time we meet Kirsty’s neighbours, a society which includes two vicars; one rich with a wife given to hosting elaborate garden parties, the other poor, living with his sister Rebecca; whose narrow, disappointing life has left a mark of bitterness. Lady novelist, Merren Strang is a delightfully independent woman, who befriends Kirsty. The society is made up of far more women than men, and so it is the women who drive the society. Naturally, there are a couple of terrifying society types – and as the local habit seems to be for calling regularly on one another in time for tea, we soon get to know them all.
Kirsty has taken the house of Little Phantasy – in the grounds of Colonel Archie Home’s estate. The Colonel is only recently returned himself, carrying an injury from the First World War, he lives a largely reclusive life – to the irritation of some of the local society ladies. Kirsty invites an elderly aunt to come and live with her. Aunt Fanny is a comfortable, traditional old lady, quite happy to sit by the fire knitting, she very much enjoys the companionship of her niece.
As the novel opens Kirsty is chatting happily to her older, married friend Blanche – who herself is about to set off abroad with her husband. Blanche tells Kirsty about the sad fate of her niece and two young nephews following her sister’s tragic death in India. The children’s father – prostrated by grief have left the children with a relative in Clapham, though the Scottish born children would much prefer to be home in Scotland. Kirsty rashly says that she would love to have them stay for a few months while their father gets himself together. Soon it is all arranged – and Kirsty excitedly prepares the house for their arrival. The children’s father pays a flying visit to check Kirsty and her house out – and Aunt Fanny prepares to have her peace shattered.
“Then the door burst open and a tall young woman got out, hurriedly followed by a tall girl with two long plaits of shining hair, and a boy struggling with a fishing rod and basket and other impedimenta of the sportsman.
‘Come on, Bill’ she heard the tall young woman say, and she saw standing, half in and half out of the carriage, a small figure in a blue jersey and short blue trousers. It was a very small figure, but there was something oddly commanding about it.”
On the appointed day, Kirsty waits nervously at the station, terrified that they won’t turn up, but they do, Barbara (10) and boys Specky who loves nothing more than to fish, and Bad Bill (5). Kirsty is instantly smitten, as the children are with her. Miss Stella Carter; the children’s governess accompanies the children, and Carty becomes another very happy resident of Little Phantasy, destined to find romance – with a little help from Kirsty.
The children are a delight, and soon Kirsty can’t imagine the house without them. While not all her attempts at doing good yield the results she would like – or indeed the appreciation of the receiver, Kirsty is very happy in her Scottish Borders home, and starts to dread the day that their father will return to take the children away. Kirsty’s relationship with the children is quite adorable, the energetic trio managing even to get under Archie Home’s skin too.
There’s a particularly nice moment when Kirsty meets, and chats to an older unmarried woman, and the two talk quite happily about how an unmarried woman can be both happy and useful, enjoying a perfectly fulfilled life. O Douglas may well have believed that, but her novels are I suspect far more conventional than that – with everything and (nearly) everyone tidied up at the end.
O Douglas shows us an enviable world of old fashioned manners, great kindness, romance and friendship, though one where illness, poverty, grief and disappointment lies just beneath the surface. I really rather loved this book, and I am determined – when I am buying books again – to get myself a couple more by this author.… (meer)
Our heroine is Kirsty Gilmour a young woman of thirty (though she fears she is now dreadfully old) returned at last to her beloved Scotland after years abroad with her manipulative step-mother. Kirsty had hated the endless round of society that hotel life abroad had brought her, a life her step-mother had revelled in. Now returning to the Scottish Borders of her birth, she is free for the first time in her life, with a good income to live on, and no one to tell her what to do. Kirsty is determined to ‘live for others’ her good and charitable personality making her long to bring happiness to others – or at least release them from trouble or unhappiness. Her attitude to life is the Pink Sugar of the title – an attitude so called by her landlord – the apparently grumpy Colonel Home.
“Surely we want every crumb of pink sugar that we can get in this world. I do hate people who sneer at sentiment. What is sentiment after all? It’s only a word, for all that is decent and kind and loving in these warped little lives of ours.”
Kirsty is perfectly genuine and nothing like as irritating that truly good people can sometimes be. Kirsty runs her new home with the help of Nellie and Miss Wotherspoon a housemaid who insists on being called ‘Miss.’
In time we meet Kirsty’s neighbours, a society which includes two vicars; one rich with a wife given to hosting elaborate garden parties, the other poor, living with his sister Rebecca; whose narrow, disappointing life has left a mark of bitterness. Lady novelist, Merren Strang is a delightfully independent woman, who befriends Kirsty. The society is made up of far more women than men, and so it is the women who drive the society. Naturally, there are a couple of terrifying society types – and as the local habit seems to be for calling regularly on one another in time for tea, we soon get to know them all.
Kirsty has taken the house of Little Phantasy – in the grounds of Colonel Archie Home’s estate. The Colonel is only recently returned himself, carrying an injury from the First World War, he lives a largely reclusive life – to the irritation of some of the local society ladies. Kirsty invites an elderly aunt to come and live with her. Aunt Fanny is a comfortable, traditional old lady, quite happy to sit by the fire knitting, she very much enjoys the companionship of her niece.
As the novel opens Kirsty is chatting happily to her older, married friend Blanche – who herself is about to set off abroad with her husband. Blanche tells Kirsty about the sad fate of her niece and two young nephews following her sister’s tragic death in India. The children’s father – prostrated by grief have left the children with a relative in Clapham, though the Scottish born children would much prefer to be home in Scotland. Kirsty rashly says that she would love to have them stay for a few months while their father gets himself together. Soon it is all arranged – and Kirsty excitedly prepares the house for their arrival. The children’s father pays a flying visit to check Kirsty and her house out – and Aunt Fanny prepares to have her peace shattered.
“Then the door burst open and a tall young woman got out, hurriedly followed by a tall girl with two long plaits of shining hair, and a boy struggling with a fishing rod and basket and other impedimenta of the sportsman.
‘Come on, Bill’ she heard the tall young woman say, and she saw standing, half in and half out of the carriage, a small figure in a blue jersey and short blue trousers. It was a very small figure, but there was something oddly commanding about it.”
On the appointed day, Kirsty waits nervously at the station, terrified that they won’t turn up, but they do, Barbara (10) and boys Specky who loves nothing more than to fish, and Bad Bill (5). Kirsty is instantly smitten, as the children are with her. Miss Stella Carter; the children’s governess accompanies the children, and Carty becomes another very happy resident of Little Phantasy, destined to find romance – with a little help from Kirsty.
The children are a delight, and soon Kirsty can’t imagine the house without them. While not all her attempts at doing good yield the results she would like – or indeed the appreciation of the receiver, Kirsty is very happy in her Scottish Borders home, and starts to dread the day that their father will return to take the children away. Kirsty’s relationship with the children is quite adorable, the energetic trio managing even to get under Archie Home’s skin too.
There’s a particularly nice moment when Kirsty meets, and chats to an older unmarried woman, and the two talk quite happily about how an unmarried woman can be both happy and useful, enjoying a perfectly fulfilled life. O Douglas may well have believed that, but her novels are I suspect far more conventional than that – with everything and (nearly) everyone tidied up at the end.
O Douglas shows us an enviable world of old fashioned manners, great kindness, romance and friendship, though one where illness, poverty, grief and disappointment lies just beneath the surface. I really rather loved this book, and I am determined – when I am buying books again – to get myself a couple more by this author.… (meer)
Misschien vindt je deze ook leuk
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- Werken
- 18
- Ook door
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- Populariteit
- #42,598
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- 3.7
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A mother, daughter, and niece are forced to sell their beautiful estate and buy a little house up on the coast in Scotland. Nicole, the daughter, tends to always see the sunny side of life and enjoys making friends of all sorts of people.
She even manages to tactfully improve some of her neighbors... one middle-aged, austere spinster is in desperate need of a little "prettying up" for both her house and her clothes. I like a lot of Nicole's philosophy about this kind of thing; she says, "You simply don't know how much harm is done by good women not knowing how to dress. I remember as a child, when I helped my mother to entertain Mothers' Unions and Girls' Friendlies and things like that, wondering why the best people--meaning the most serious, good people--nearly always had badly hung skirts! And to-day, when clothes are so easy and so suitable and so varied, it's conservatism run mad not to wear what other people are wearing."
And in the end, she does, of course, get the stiff Miss Symington to pay moderate attention to looking nice, and to let a little beauty into her home.
But this is just one example of Nicole's sphere of influence. She makes friends with an orphan boy, a reclusive mountaineer, and the hassled young families of the town. Her cousin Barbara is more exclusive in her friends and inclined to yearn for past glories. But not in an irritating way... more in the way that makes you feel a bit sorry for her and still basically respect her.
The two girls get very different resolutions to their stories, and neither one is strictly blissful... indeed, this book had lots of varying shades of happy and sad. I felt it was a little unfair of the author to set up such a sweet, happy tale and not let it stay happy. But, c'est la vie.… (meer)