Rumer Godden Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Collections

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of New York Review Children's Collection Books

Margaret Rumer Godden, writing under the name Rumer Godden, wrote over sixty books. She was born December 10, 1907 in Sussex, England and grew up with her three sisters in Narayananj, which was then part of colonial India.

In her seventies, she retired to Moniaive in Dumfriesshire. In 1993, she was appointed OBE. She died at the age of ninety on November 8, 1998, just over a month before her 91st birthday.

She went back to the United Kingdom with her sisters while she was in her early twenties, training as a dance teacher. In 1930, she went to Calcutta to open up a dance school for Indian and English kids. With the help of her sister Nancy, she ran the school for twenty years. It was during this time that she published her first best-seller, called “Black Narcissus” in the year 1939.

After she was married for eight unhappy years, she moved back to Kashmir with her two daughters. She would remarry again in the year 1949, and went back to the United Kingdom in order to concentrate on her writing.

Later on in her life, she would convert to Roman Catholicism and quite a few of her books began to deal with women in religious communities. In books like “In This House of Brede” and “Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy” she examined the balance between the submission of the individual and the mystical aspects of religion to the spiritual discipline.

In the year 1947, Deborah Kerr starred in a movie based off of “Black Narcissus” that was produced, written, and directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Also in the movie are David Farrar, Sabu, Jean Simmons, and Kathleen Byron.

Godden evoked India’s atmosphere through all the senses: her writing is vivid in detail of the textures, tactile experiences, smells, flowers, and noises. She wrote books for kids, especially about dolls that convincingly convey the secret aspirations and thoughts of childhood. She also wrote several books with her sister, Jon Godden, who penned many books of her own.

“Black Narcissus” is the first stand alone novel, which was released in the year 1939. During the days that it was the General’s ‘harem’ palace, ladies with their rich clothes and retinues could be seen walking around on the high terraces. In the night, music floated out over gorges and villages well into the early hours.

The General’s son has placed it upon the disciplined Sisters of Mary. Starting work in the orchards as well as opening a school and a dispensary for the people of the mountain, the small group of Sisters is depended onfor help on Mr. Dean, the English agent. His insolent candor and charm are disconcerting. He says outright that it is no place for nunnery, it is just like he knows their destiny already.

After reading the book, readers are fascinated and enamored with this book. Godden lays out the plot and different perspectives in a spectacular way. You are unsure of what is around the corner, but get constantly reminded that there is something sinister going on.

“The River” is the second stand alone novel, which was released in the year 1946. Harriet is trapped between two worlds. Her brother is still a child, and her sister no longer plays with her. The comforting rhythms of her Indian childhood, things like: the festivals that accompany each of the seasons, the noise from the jute works, and the eternal flow and ebb of the river will soon be shattered.

Rumer was so exceptional with description that she makes you homesick for a place you have never been and nostalgic for a childhood you never experienced yourself. The book is written in an atmospheric and subtle way that is able to capture the inquisitive nature of childhood with ease.

“A Candle for St. Jude” is the first novel in the “Miss Holbein” series, which was released in the year 1948. While the Madame and her students get prepared for a coming recital set to commemorate her fifty years of dedication to ballet, the reader is able to share in their special world. The unique relationship between Madame along with the brilliant youngsters she trains. The tender loves and burning frustrations of youth, the backstage tensions and onstage triumphs.

Godden skillfully, uniquely, and smoothly inserts back story for different characters. The characterizations are compelling and charming, too. Some readers enjoyed this one, simply for the way it brought back some good memories of first reading it as a kid.

“Listen to the Nightingale” is the second novel in the “Miss Holbein” series, which was released in the year 1992. Lottie, an orphan that has been reared by the costume mistress for a ballet company in London, gets a scholarship to a prominent ballet school. She is torn by the love she has for a puppy and her lifelong dream.

“Miss Happiness and Miss Flower” is the first novel in the “Japanese Dolls” series, which was released in the year 1961. Nona is sent away from her home in India to live with some relatives in England, and it makes her miserable. She gets a box and inside are two tiny Japanese dolls. Nona believes that they must feel lonely as well, since they are so far away from their home. Nona gets an idea, she is going to build these dolls the perfect house.

Even readers who aren’t into dolls found themselves enjoying this one and were captivated both by the little adorable dolls as well as Nona and her story.

“Little Plum” is the second novel in the “Japanese Dolls” series, which was released in the year 1963. Gem moves into The House Next Door, Nona and Belinda believe her to be stuck up and vow that they will have nothing to do with her. They are attracted by the gorgeous Japanese doll that is in her window. They call her Little Plum, but unlike the dolls Nona has, Little Plum seems to be uncared for and unloved. Are the three girls ever going to become friends?