The painted garden

The fictional story of an English family's time in California, post-war. This is the 1949 edition and contains references to rationing and some references to race which are no longer used. Later editions redacted aspects such as these.

The story is about the children's ambitions and emerging careers in the Arts, and some of the characters from Noel Streatfeild's most famous book, Ballet Shoes, appear as adults.

I enjoyed it both for the story and as a social history source: I understand the author drew heavily on her own experiences visiting the States and the contrast between the deprivations of post-war London and the vibrancy of California is brought out beautifully.