Celia's House

D.E. Stevenson

Jul 2015 · Sourcebooks, Inc.

About this ebook

There's no place like home

Celia Dunne may be an old spinster, but she's no fool. She knows that changing her will to leave the grand family estate, Dunnian, to her grand-nephew will ruffle feathers within the family. But Celia also knows that Dunnian has stood solemn and empty for far too long, and she intends for that to change after she's gone. Humphrey's children will turn the creaky old house back into a family home—just the way it was meant to be.

As Humphrey's young family grows and expands within the walls of Dunnian, the house seems to welcome them with warmth and a wonderful feeling of belonging. Following the Dunnes through youthful antics, merry parties, heartbreaks, love, and marriages, Celia's House is an enchanting family novel that begs to be read and savored over and over again.

Celia's House is another heartwarming tale from D.E. Stevenson, beloved author of Miss Buncle's Book

Readers love D.E. Stevenson:

"Finding a re-issued D.E. Stevenson novel is like finding a Tiffany lamp at Woolworth's."

Ratings and reviews

Celia’s House by D.E. Stevenson is a historical story set in Scotland starting in 1901. Celia Dunne is ninety years old in June 1901. Maurice Dunne and his wife, Nina have always thought that Dunnian House would go to them when Celia passed away. Celia has a different idea. She has decided to leave the house to Humphrey Dunne. Celia has certain conditions though. Humphrey could live in the house for his life and then the house would go to his daughter, Celia (Humphrey did not have a daughter named Celia). Miss Celia Dunne was certain he would have another child (a girl). Since Dunnian House was not entailed, Celia could leave to whom she wished. Humphrey was a navy man who spent most of time away from home. Humphrey was sure his wife, Alice would love have a permanent home for her and the children. Celia Dunne lived until September of 1901. Maurice and Nina were livid when they found out that they were not getting Dunnian House (they had such awful plans for the beautiful home). Alice loved the home and staff. Humphrey’s oldest son, Mark loves Dunnian House. He was saddened when he found out that it would not go to him (Mark became a doctor instead). Humphrey and Celia did have another daughter whom they named Celia (and she happened to look a lot like the elder Miss Celia Dunne). The book follows the family (Humphrey and Alice as well as their children as well as their young cousin, Deb) as they grow up and live at Dunnian house through 1942. Celia’s House is a charming and pleasant story. The book was written and published in 1943 (which you can tell from reading the book). I give Celia’s House 3.5 out of 5 stars. It is a sweet story that does not contain sex, foul language (maybe a word or two), or violence. I wish I had discovered this book when I was younger (it is the type of book that I would have read and appreciated when I was 12 or 13). The book has a nice flow, but it lacked something (hard to explain). The book needed something more that would grab the reader and hold them. I received a complimentary copy of Celia's House from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.

About the author

D.E. Stevenson (1892-1973) had an enormously successful writing career; between 1923 and 1970, four million copies of her books were sold in Britain and three million in the United States.