"Still Glides the Stream" by D.E. Stevenson (re-read)

My D.E. Stevenson fan group read "Still Glides the Stream" together not that long ago, in the summer of 2021 (previous reviews here & here). For our summer 2026 reading, I would have preferred to choose a Stevenson book I haven't read before, or in a long time (there are still a few of those!) -- but when another member stepped in to suggest "Still Glides" (one of her favourites) -- along with an offer to organize the discussion (something I was too busy to commit to this summer) -- members eagerly took her up on it.  We began our discussion on June 22nd, and finished today.  

The title "Still Glides the Stream" comes from a Wordsworth poem. First published in 1959, this book is sometimes referred to as a "sequel" to "Amberwell" and "Summerhills," both about the Ayrton family.  A couple of the Ayrtons make a brief appearance here, but it's really a standalone story.  

Will Hastie is back with his father in Scotland, after spending 12 years in the military during and after the Second World War ( = it's now the early/mid-1950s). His childhood best friend Rae, from the neighbouring estate of Langford, died during the final days of the war, and Rae's younger sister Patty is engaged to her cousin Hugo, who will now inherit the estate. 

Before he died, Rae wrote to Patty, hinting at a big secret he hoped to share with the family when he returned home. This piece of unfinished business has been gnawing at Patty, and when she shares the letter with Will, he decides to go to France, trace his friend's final days and try to figure out what he wanted to tell his family. What he learns there changes everyone's lives. 

Like Stevenson's other books, this is a warm, gentle little story of a bygone era -- in both positive and negative ways. On the minus side, the clash between French and English cultures and ways of doing things is a thread that runs throughout the book (including the implied assumption of British superiority). The decision made by one of the characters near the book's end might horrify modern readers, but I am sure readers of the day had no doubt that she was doing the right thing.  

Nevertheless, I appreciated the themes of post-war grief and loss and moving forward, as well as Stevenson's usual well-drawn characters and lovely descriptions.  

On previous reads, I rated this book 3.5 stars on StoryGraph, rounded up to 4 on Goodreads. Those ratings still stand. 

Our next book is to be determined.  

This was Book #24 read to date in 2026 (and Book #6 finished in August), bringing me to 60% of  my 2026 Goodreads Reading Challenge goal of 40 books. I am (for the moment, anyway...!) 1 book behind pace to meet my goal.  :)  (Catching up...!)  You can find reviews of all my books read to date in 2026 tagged as "2026 books."