Rumer Godden, a well established author through Pan Macmillan and Virago Modern Classics, is considered by many to be one of the foremost English language authors of the 20th century.

Nine of her books have been made into films.

She won The Whitbread Award for Children’s Literature in 1972 and was awarded the OBE in 1993.

Black Narcissus

Her last book, “Cromartie versus The God Shiva Acting through the Government of India” was published by Macmillan in November 1997 and she died in 1998 aged ninety-one.

In 2007 Cambridge University honoured her by holding a Symposium of her work to celebrate her Centenary.

Rumer Godden wrote some 60 works during her life, drawing on her experiences of life in India and Britain.

The influence of India is reflected in “Black Narcissus”, “The River”, “Kingfisher’s Catch Fire”, “Breakfast with the Nikolides” and recently republished, “The Lady and the Unicorn”.

Her time in France influenced the dramatic “Greengage Summer” and “Gypsy Gypsy”.

Her dancing career is reflected in “A Candle for St Jude” and “Thursdays Children”, and her interest in the religious life is shown in “In This House of Brede” and “Five for Sorrow Ten for Joy”.

She also wrote short stories, poetry and many books for children. The best known being “The Dolls House”, “The Diddakoi” and “The Story of Holly and Ivy”.

Her books have been translated into many languages and most are now available as e-books.

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