An Episode of Sparrows

This tiny little book is an absolute gem of simplicity, love and hope. A precociously aware, yet innocent little girl has been left with the owner of a struggling restuarant and his wife, to raise, by her mother, a woman on the fringes of show business, who cares for no one but herself. The child, Lovejoy, becomes obsessed with the idea of creating a garden in the ruins of a bombed out church, and enlists the aid of a local boy, Tip Malone. When they remove earth from a nearby enclosed garden, they are prosecuted by Miss Angela Chesney, an opinionated, domineering woman who can see no other path in life except her own, and who rules even her elder, more compassionate sister with the iron fist of mockery. It's a short story but one which made me laugh and cry because I could feel the sheer frustration, as well as the determination of Lovejoy as she battles the inexorable might of the adult world, a world which can not, or will not, see things from a child's perspective. I'm sorry that I've missed this beautiful book until now, but am grateful to have found it in an op-shop.

This book along with "The Battle of Villa Forita," The Greengage Summer," "In this House of Brede.", and "China Court" are forgotten treasures. I wish everyone had a chance to experience these books. "An Episode of Sparrows" is my favorite book of Miss Godden's. She writes with amazing sensitivity about children -- almost as if she were one of them. But this is not a children's book. Rumer Godden understands the passions which drive people. She has a true author's ability to get beneath the superficiality of people's daily lives and expose their true hopes and fears. "An Epsisode of Sparrows" is set in post-war London. It concerns the plight of Lovejoy Mason, one of the "sparrows" (slum children on Catford Street) who has been abandoned by her mother; Lovejoy finds solace and escape in planting a garden in that most unexpected of places, Catford Street. Catford Street is teeming with the raw lives of slum people. In contrast, Olivia and her sister Angela, elderly spinsters live on the other side of Catford Street--the respectable side. Olivia especially yearns to experience the joy of being needed. How these people and other rich characters such as the Irish Malone family and Vincent, the restaurant owner-- interact is wonderful to behold. I own very few books; this is one of them. I'm sorry that "An Episode of Sparrows" is out-of-print.

This book, along with The Greengage Summer, The River, and the Battle of the Villa Fiorita are four of her books that are the sort of book you will want to read over and over. Godden has a way of making children's voices be heard quite clearly, loudly, and a way of having their words resonate in your mind for a long long time. And they are honest words, from the heart. She is a British treasure that most Americans do not know about. i can't say enough about her books. for children age nine or ten and older and adults.

I must confess that I have not read this novel. But as a librarian I just received a donation of books and among them I found the spanish translation of "An episode of sparrows". As I was cataloguing it I noticed at the last pages, with a clear handwriting the notes that I'll try to translate for you:"I really enjoy this novel.Unless I missed some details I think I could ubicate the plot of the novel in a humble neighborhood of England after Second World War.The way the author shows all what a child can feel and think about adults is something I have to take in consideration on my work as a teacher and in my relationship with the kids around me.Good feelings, being noble, honest and simple, and to show concern about the others, are in contrast with petulance, pride and not worryng for one's fellow man.In the story there are some aspects that took my attention:Sometimes those who offer help to people in disgrace dont do it because they are charitable, but as a way to be recognized at their own social and economic status. On the other side, those who leave their children on the hands of strangers dont have the right to do it, and I dont see them as humans.Even animals take care of their own cubs.The novel left a deep mark in me."This notes are dated September 2 1987. and signed "Prof. Luis Rogelio Gutierrez.I will include An episode of sparrows in my next readings.Miguel R. MendozaLibrarianITESM-Campus Chihuahua

"An Episode of Sparrows" captures, with the consummate artistry of Rumer Godden, a little sparrow-girl who nearly falls to the ground. Lovejoy's garden, in the shadow of a ruined church in postwar London, blossoms with such awful frailty that one holds one's breath with suspense. Vincent's West End-style restaurant, trapped in Catford Street, blossoms as well. thanks to Miss Olivia's at last fulfilled desire for "an ordinary little bit of life." Lyrical use of language, touches the heart,lifts the mind. A marvel of restraint and poetry.