Charlotte Fairlie

By D.E. Stevenson

Book Overview

Yes, her job was the loneliest in the world. No king, no dictator set high upon a pinnacle, was as friendless as the headmistress of a girls' school.

Charlotte Fairlie loves her position at the illustrious St. Elizabeth's, but it's not without its challenges-first among them her trouble-making maths mistress Miss Pinkerton, who yearns for Charlotte's job and spares no effort to complicate her life. Then there's the charming Lawrence Swayne, headmaster of a nearby boys' school, who has plans of his own for Charlotte's future. But it's the arrival of Tessa MacRynne, desperately homesick for the Scottish isle of Targ and distraught about her parents' impending divorce, who really stirs things up-giving Miss Pinkerton fresh ammunition, helping the unfortunate Eastwoods, who cower beneath their father's snide, critical personality, and inspiring Charlotte to spend an unforgettable holiday on Targ. Adventures, pleasures, misunderstandings, and tragedies follow, told with D.E. Stevenson's inimitable sensitivity and humour, and Charlotte's loneliness is soon forgotten . . .

First published in 1954 and long out of print, Charlotte Fairlie is the irresistible, sometimes poignant tale of a talented professional woman gaining a new lease on life. This new edition includes an autobiographical sketch by the author.

"Miss Stevenson has her own individual and charming way of seeing things." Western Mail

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 191501445X
• ISBN13: 9781915014450
• Release Date: January 2022
• Publisher: Dean Street Press
• Length: 250 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

A wonderful story!

Originally published in the U.S. as "Blow the Wind Southerly". This is very hard to find, but worth the search. Charlotte Fairlie was proud of her position as headmistress of Saint Elizabeth's-even if it meant a lonely life for someone so young and attractive. School intrigues and petty jealousies made it imperative that she not play favorites, and forced her to remain aloof...and alone! Then she decides to accept a student's invitation to visit her on a beautiful island off the coast of Scotland, and Charlotte finds herself falling in love with a handsome laird. But an ancient legend and a living girl become obstacles to an idyllic romance. Believable and an easy read.