by Mrs George de Horne Vaizey (aka Jessie Mansergh)
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This book concerns a family where the children consist of a couple of
boys, and a few more than that of girls. They live in a Square in
London, which bears the name of an existing London Square, but which is
placed, according to the story, in quite a different place to the real
one. The children are fascinated by the occupants of the various other
houses, some of whom they gradually get to know.
The children grow up, the boys are away doing interesting things, and
the girls become interested in their own clothes and appearances. This
may be just a male's view of the story, but it seems like it to me, for
there doesn't seem to be nearly as much life as you find in the same
author's Pixie books. Well, I suppose that's not true: there is a
subtle undercurrent of old love affairs revived that runs right to the
very last page--and that is one of Mrs Vaizey's greatest skills. If you
haven't done so, do read the little biography we have written of her, as
it will help you to understand her writing rather better than if you
don't.
Still, you read the book, and see what you think. You may well be
pleasantly surprised.
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BETTY TREVOR