Maria Merryweather, orphaned and in the care of her governess Miss Heliotrope, arrives in the vale of Silverydew on a moonlit night. Unsure what to expect, she finds herself in a magical world, greeted by a larger-than life uncle who seems to be kindness personified, and showered with wonderful gifts; a fairy-doored tower bedroom with a vaulted ceiling painted with moon and stars, a patchwork bedspread on her very own four poster bed, exquisite handmade clothes mysteriously laid out for her each morning with fresh flower posies for her buttonholes, and incredible food to eat at every meal. As Maria spends longer at the manor house, she discovers more of its secrets - Who lays out her clothes? Who makes lavish meals that appear at every mealtime? Eventually, she begins to find answers to the deeper questions: Who are the dark men who come from the woods? What is the ancient feud that has cast a shadow over the valley and the manor for so long? Can she be the one to bring harmony to the valley and peace to its inhabitants?

Goudge was a Christian and her writing is laced with biblical themes - the valley is a kind of paradise that has been damaged by greed and selfishness, and forgiveness is ultimately the key to putting things right. 

Maria is a lovely heroine - not flawless, but full of curiosity and courage, and a determination to do the right thing.

Altogether, although dated, it's a lovely, lovely story (apparently one of J.K. Rowling's favourites as a child). The Independent descrbed it as 'one of the most magical stories in the world', and I think they were probably right!