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Reviews

Return to Gone-away by Elizabeth Enright

bradleygirl's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

shelbyl's review against another edition

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4.0

I love this author and I'm so glad there was a sequel. I just wish it was a series. I could listen to a story about a simpler time ALL the time. Not as much drama as the first. But a wonderful conclusion.

storiesforhisglory's review against another edition

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5.0

Fantastic

I love this story. This duology is one that sticks with you. It is like getting to step back in time, both to the 1950-1960s as well as the 1890s. The characters are excellent. Portia and Julian and Foster and Aunt Minnehaha and Uncle Pin... It's a Lovely book to read in the summer, because it describes the summer so well. Reread and oh so worth it.

katherineep's review against another edition

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5.0

Love this one. The story and characters are not as well developed as they are in Gone-Away but the idea of exploring a house like this is magical.

manwithanagenda's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

As a child, to discover a place like Gone-Away Lake would have been a dream come true. I loved the book and read it many, many times. The sequel I remembered very little of, and, over time, decided it just wasn't as good.

'Return to Gone-Away' does have a different feel to it, but is just as engaging. It may speak more to adults seeing as how most of it is the fantasy of discovering beautiful, useful things to go around your fixer-upper Victorian as well as some other beautiful things that are free to be sold to pay for other renovations. A superb fantasy that may go over most children's heads.

I am shocked and appalled that everyone cheered the removal of a porch from Villa Caprice.

Gone-Away Lake

Previous: 'Gone-Away Lake'

iilex's review against another edition

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4.0

A perfect sequel to Gone-Away Lake.

In Return to Gone-Away, Portia, Foster, and their parents have purchased one of the old houses at Gone-Away to use as a summer house. All of the characters from Gone-Away Lake are here, including the aforementioned Portia and Foster, as well as cousin Julian, Mrs. Cheever, Mr. Payton, and others. In this book, the characters spend much of their time fixing up and exploring the old homes at Gone-Away.

The book maintains the tone of the original and is a very light, fun book. Even though it was published in the 1960s, I think a certain type of modern child will like reading about the characters exploring old houses and learning about the past. As this is basically a continuation of the first novel, I'd highly suggest reading this one right after finishing the first.

jenny44indy's review against another edition

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4.0

I remember these being some of my favorite books when I was younger...but that's sadly about all I remember now.

stelepami's review against another edition

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5.0

Again, I cannot describe how happy this book makes me. I happily sink back into the world of [b:Gone-Away Lake|175824|Gone-Away Lake|Elizabeth Enright|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172437655s/175824.jpg|535113], content not to leave it until the book ends, and even then I do so reluctantly.
In this sequel, the story continues its everyday magic by describing the Blake family's battle to reestablish livable conditions in the run-down mansion they've purchased. As always, [a:Elizabeth Enright|3420|Elizabeth Enright|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1196262204p2/3420.jpg] knows when to add a detail, and when to offer insight into a child's mind. My only fault with this book is that it has to end and has no sequel.

pussreboots's review against another edition

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5.0

Follow up to the excellent Gone-Away Lake. I love the illustrations.

howjessicareads's review against another edition

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5.0

One of my all time favorite series as a kid. So happy that my girls loved them too. ❤️❤️