Mrs. Lorimer's Quiet Summer

By: Molly Clavering

Narrated by: Kirsty Cox

In what is surely Molly Clavering's most autobiographical novel, two middle-aged women writers, close friends and neighbours, offer one another advice and support while navigating life in a lively Border village.

Lucy Lorimer, the more successful author, with her four children, in-laws, and grandchildren gathered for a summer reunion, must try to avert disaster in one daughter's marriage, help a daughter-in-law restless with mundane married life after flying planes in the war, and deal with the awkward reappearance of an old flame. Unmarried Grace ('Gray') Douglas, meanwhile, has struggles of her own, but is drawn delightfully into her friend's difficulties. In real life, Molly Clavering was a neighbour and close friend of bestselling author D.E. Stevenson.

Mrs. Lorimer's Quiet Summer is not only an irresistible family story, but undoubtedly provides some indication of the inspiring friendship between these two brilliantly talented women.

©1953 Molly Clavering (P)2025 Soundings

Enjoyable summer in Scotland

Molly Clavering, friend and neighbor of author D. E. Stevenson wrote this pleasant novel of life in a small Scottish boarders area town much like Moffat, where they lived. It seems that the two female author character who feature in this novel were inspired by/based upon, Clavering (who becomes Gray in the novel) and Stevenson (who becomes Mrs Lorimer). The details of family ansgt were invented, but the feel of life in post-WWII Scotland and the loving friendship between the two women is very realistic and enjoyable. And Kirsty Cox gives the narration just that touch of Scots accent to add to the feel of the novel.

Recommended, especially for those who love the works of D. E. Stevenson. I hope that Audible produces more works by Clavering, especially Near Neighbors.