The Child from the Sea

I read this book for the first time almost 30 years ago as a teenager. It has remained my favorite book of all time and I also find myself re-reading it every few years. The character of Lucy Walter as developed by Ms. Goudge is one of depth and great feeling. I love her ties with the sea and the Welsh landscape. On a trip to Wales I could see Roch castle in the distance and felt so connected to it. I recommend this book for anyone who loves British cultural history and the land on which it evolved.

I am not given to romantic stories but this one is the exception. Lucy Walter was treated badly by historians but her lineage contributed to the rise of democracy in Great Britain and her ancestry, maligned by historians as "low born" was anything but - in fact, she shares a set of great-great-grandparents (8-10X removed) with Diana Spencer and the current heir to the British throne, William. This book treats her fairly and in a beautiful and compelling story and, like one of the other reviewers here, I re-read it every 4-5 years or so. It never fails to move me.

It is diffcult for a book to bring tears to my eyes, but this one did. It's extremely moving & powerful - the love story of a young Charles II of England and Lucy Walter. I recommend it highly for those who want a tender love story (without smut) and to those who just want to read an excellent historical novel.

Goudge depicts Lucy Walter as a warm, loving but wronged wife of Charles ll. We are led to belive throughout the novel that Charles truly adored his first "wife" and she was cast aside because of politics. The contents of the book have been denounced as historically inaccurate, however, that is insignifigant to the wonderful story-telling talents of Elizabeth Goudge. As an avid reader of historical facts and historical fiction, "The Child from the Sea" is the most well written account of a time long gone by. Truly, 'The Child From the Sea" is a novel that moves your heart while giving the reader a full account of life in 17th century London. You cannot afford to miss this one if you can find it!

I first read this book over 30 years ago & no less than 5 times since. All I really remember about it was that every so-many years I feel compelled to read it again. Why I never bought a copy when it was more available I'll never know. This book could have been true, which made it all the more interesting. I have since read almost everything by Ms. Goudg