The Swiss Summer (1951) by Stella Gibbons #20BooksofSummer2025

🗻 As forty-something Lucy Cottrel, who's been boring with city life of London, received an unexpected invitation to spend summer at a Swiss chalet near Interlaken, she couldn't possibly resist. Lucy's marriage is a happy, but childless one; and she's been longing for a quieter life. Then, on her visit to her friend's house, the friend took her to an elderly widow called Lady Dagleish. The rich old lady owns a chalet on the Swiss Alp, built by her late husband, who, the very opposite of his wife, loved nature much more than social company. Seeing how delightful Lucy Cottrel was when the Swiss chalet was mentioned, Lady Dagleish invited her in a whim, to accompany her companion, Freda Blandish, to stay at the chalet during summer to do inventory of its contents.

🗻 Longing to stay away from London social life, Lucy accepted the invitation, and off she goes one fine morning, boarded on a train, and "pinned on her coat was a bunch of gentians given to her in loving farewell by her husband". Not without apprehension, though, for she knew nothing about Mrs. Blandish, whom, on their first meeting, seemed to dislike her. But the prospect of spending three months on the Swiss Alps, at a quiet chalet, restored her hopes.

🗻 At first, Lucy was delighted with the fresh mountain air, the serene view of the Jungfrau summit from her bedroom window, and the prospect of taking a walk up the mountain everyday. Not even the sour-faced Utta, the loyal servant of Lady Dagleish, seemed to be a nuisance. However, Lucy's dream of quiet life was soon diminished; first by the appearance of Astra Blandish, Freda Blandish' daughter, then the arrival of more people. Lucy was much appalled that Freda Blandish hid the fact that she invited those people from Lady Dagleish, and hoped that Lucy, too, would not reveal it in her frequent letters to Lady D. Lucy hated the situation, but she's the kind of person who can't say no, and to accept things as they are is more convenient than creating a scene. Midway through summer, two young people arrived at the chalet (they are actually permitted by Lady D as Lucy's guests - Bertram and Peter), and soon, love is in the air for the young girls, Astra and Kay (one of the guests).

🗻 However, Mrs. Blandish - who had been promised to inherit the chalet upon Lady D's death - went finally too far by receiving a paying guest. Paying to herself, that is - and of course, hiding it from Lady D. Lucy didn't like it, and Utta the caretaker, hated them all, out of her loyalty to her boss.  

🗻 On the whole, it is a charming story. Its main attraction is, firstly, the beautiful Swiss Alps scenery, and its fresh, cool mountain air, which I could almost feel during my reading. Then, the colorful characters; each portrayed vividly by Gibbons, which provided some of the hilarious scenes along the story. Although this story has neither strong plot, nor character growth, I enjoyed every scene. From the walking and climbing of the hills, the beautiful scenery, the cafe with red and white checked tablecloth where they stopped for rest and a cup of coffee or apricot ice, the youngsters' adventures, and love makings. Each provides delight and freshness to our otherwise rather dreary existences! I also loved the ending, while it's not too conclusive for some characters, it's satisfying and even rather poetic. It is, anyway, a vignette of happy life, in a short period of holiday, that left deep impression to hold on to as long as we live.

 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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20 Books of Summer 2025

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