THE DIDDAKOI

by Rumer Godden ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1972

No degree of technical finesse (Ms. Godden deftly changes speaker, tense and even context in mid sentence) can disguise the embarrassing sentimentality of this tale of a diddakoi (half gypsy) waif's successive adoptions by reclusive bachelor Lord Cunnigham Twiss and nice, sensible Miss Olivia Brooke (""She doesn't seem to care a fig what people think""). Still spitting wild after a short stay with the kindly Twiss, the orphaned Kizzy is remanded by the court to Miss Brooke whose level-headed efforts (fresh scones and parsleyed potato cakes) fail to break down the wall of hostility built up by taunting schoolmates. Kizzy returns to her gypsy life part time via a child-size wagon furnished by her indulgent benefactors and -- after a nearly fatal fire -- Miss Brooke finally says yes to becoming Lady Cunningham Twiss and Kizzy is transformed into Kezia of Amberhurst House. The culmination of her Cinderella story is a pair of birthday gifts -- a pony and a party dress (""soft maroon cloth . . . sleeves puffed white muslin, with a white ruffle at the neck""). The dress' style effectively gauges the level of wish fulfillment at work here; this is a maternal fantasy aimed at all those lonely Miss Brookes, not a fate any self-respecting orphan would accept.

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1972

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Viking

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1972

Categories: FICTION