Brian Fairfax-Lucy (1898–1974)

What a sad book. These poor children seem so neglected. Their adventures felt full of worry about being found out instead of carefree when without oversight. I felt like no one had a happy ending not even the house. It made me so grateful for my own very happy childhood and for my parents who were always available and involved. They were always loving and fun. Even when we had to count pennies they found ways for us to have inexpensive adventures.

I literally read this book to pieces when I was a child. A very sad book that i have never been able to forget.

From the back cover - "Four children whose parents haven't time for them, whose clothes aren't fit to wear, who don't get enough to eat, who long to be asked out to tea or given free sweets at the shop.... You might think they would come from some back-street setting, but no, they live in the Big House, and Tom, the eldest, is heir to a great estate."

Co-authored by Brian Fairfax-Lucy

Reprinted from Puffin edition of 1970. Originally published as The children of the house. Fictionalised biography/history.