Gemma (by Noel Streatfeild)

(Amazon UK link)

Although the first author whose work I loved (and reread regularly) was Enid Blyton, my second and more enduring love was for the books by Noel Streatfeild. I don’t remember which of her books I read first, or exactly when; but I know I discovered a handful of them on my grandparents’ shelves as a child, and over the years, have acquired them all. They’re intended for children, but thoroughly enjoyable to read as an adult too.

It’s over ten years since I last read ‘Gemma’, which is one of my favourites by this author, and has the bonus of being the first book in a series of four. The books revolve around the Robinson family, and were written as contemporary stories: set in the mid to late 1960s, when the books were written. 

We meet the parents first. Philip was first violinist for a highly respected local orchestra before the story opened. But he developed arthritis in his hands, and can no longer play either violin or piano. He’s working in a music library at a much reduced salary, so the family are having to economise. Alice, his wife, has been at home with her three children, but she manages to find a part-time job. 

Ann is eleven, a responsible, organised girl who has an excellent singing voice. She’s quite academic too, and generally quiet and thoughtful. This is in contrast to Lydie, who is nine, and whose passion is ballet. Noel Streatfeild often includes a talented dancer in her novels, and this is no exception. Lydie is single-minded and while she’s fond of her family, her ballet comes first. She’s not averse to deception and rule-breaking if she thinks it serves the better good.

Then there’s Robin, who’s seven, and a musical prodigy. He already plays the piano extremely well and likes composing, his speciality being what he calls ‘swirling’ well-known tunes: jazzing them up to make them more interesting. He is about to audition for a scholarship at the local choir school when the book begins.

Into the mix comes Gemma, Alice’s niece, whose mother Rowena is a somewhat flighty and temperamental actress. Gemma has been educated by a governess and has appeared in several films and a TV series herself. But she’s the wrong age for parts now - she’s around Ann’s age - and her mother has the offer of starring in a new series in the United States. So Gemma, after a life of luxury, is horrified to be sent to stay with cousins she has never met, in a provincial town and a small house. She misses her mother, and she dreads being sent to a large, impersonal school. 

While it’s admittedly unlikely to have four such talented children in one household, the characters are all believable, with personalities that extend far beyond their talents. That’s what makes the book so very readable and, in places, moving. This first book runs the course of a year, covering Gemma’s introduction to the family and the school, a wonderful summer holiday, Christmas like she has never known before, and opportunities to shine in new ways. 

It’s character-based rather than having a whole lot of plot, but that’s the kind of book I like. And it’s quite short: not much more than 150 pages. I read it in less than two days. This kind of book is comfort reading for me. It’s encouraging, it’s warm, and it’s a reminder of life nearly sixty years ago. Yet despite the lack of technology, and the 1960s atmosphere with traditional nuclear families, the people feel vibrant and the values in the book are still relevant today. I doubt if many of today’s high-tech teens would be interested, but a fluent reader of about six or seven and upwards could enjoy this book. It could also make an excellent read-aloud. 

Highly recommended. 

Review copyright 2024 Sue's Book Reviews