D.E. Stevenson Author Read Alike
Molly Clavering is a relatively recent author discovery for me. If you enjoy D.E. Stevenson’s books or gentle stories plucked from another time that give a sneak peek into a bygone era, you’ll probably enjoy Molly Clavering’s books, too.
I stumbled on her books in my quest to find more authors like D.E. Stevenson, and I am so glad I did! Molly was the neighbor and friend of D.E. Stevenson, and during a similar time, wrote about village life before and after World War 2 in rural Scotland, much like Stevenson. But her books have a unique flavor and voice – with a bit more straightforward tang is how I would describe it.
And if the semi-autobiographical title, Mrs. Lorimer’s Quiet Summer, is accurate, it’s easy to see the differences in the personalities of the two characters, Gray (Molly Clavering) and Lucy Lorimer (D.E. Stevenson), and how that might affect their storytelling.
Mrs. Lorimer’s Quiet Summer follows author Lucy Lorimer (based on D.E. Stevenson) and the antics of her visiting children and grandchildren over the summer. 1950s Scottish village life feels familiar (especially to D.E. Stevenson fans) yet somehow still fresh. Friendships, marriage, and love are all handled with humor, wit, and just a little twinkle.
Dear Hugo: My Favorite Molly Clavering book
Mrs. Lorimer’s Quiet Summer was my first introduction to Molly Clavering, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. But my favorite book of hers has to be Dear Hugo.
Written in letter form, it follows Sarah Monteith as she moves to a small village in Scotland and begins to build a new life, all while corresponding with Hugo, the brother of her fiancé, who was killed in the war.
She looks after her neglected nephew, Arthur, builds connections with people who become dear to her, and navigates her way into village life with varying degrees of success.
The story is humorous and gentle, but it explores complicated emotions such as grief, responsibility, hope, and belonging.
Molly Clavering List of Books
Molly Clavering wrote 38 novels in total under multiple pen names. Most of her books have been out of print for some time and are difficult to find. However, I have listed here the recently reprinted titles (by Dean Street Press) that can be easily found on Amazon or other booksellers. If you are lucky enough to find her other books under her various pen names, including B. Mollett, Marion Moffatt, and Emma Munro, I’d love to hear what you think about them!
Susan Settles Down published 1936
Touch Not the Nettle (sequel to Susan Settles Down) Published 1939
Love Comes Home Published 1938
Yoked with the Lamb Published 1938
Mrs. Lorimer’s Quiet Summer Published 1953
Because of Sam Published 1954
Dear Hugo Published 1955
Near Neighbors Published 1956
If you’re wondering what to read next after your favorite D.E. Stevenson novel, I encourage you to try Molly Clavering!
A Little About the Author
If you’re like me and like to know a little bit about the authors you are reading, here’s some information I found from various sources. Molly Clavering was born in 1900 in Glasgow, Scotland. She served throughout World War 2 in the W.R.N.S., though, again, not much is known of her time spent there.
She relocated to Moffat, Scotland, in 1947. She was the neighbor and friend of D.E. Stevenson. Molly never married, but she led an active and busy life, participating in all kinds of village clubs and organizations, and even serving on the local government. She was the first woman magistrate in Moffat and served on the town council throughout the 1950s. She died in 1995.
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