A Pattern of Roses

A Pattern of Roses is a 1972 children's novel by British author K. M. Peyton, about a mystery and a ghost. It was issued in the US under the title So Once Was I in 1975, but subsequent editions have used the original title.

A Pattern of Roses

First edition
Author	K. M. Peyton
Language	English
Genre	Children's
Publisher	Oxford University Press
Publication date	1972
Publication place	United Kingdom
Media type	Print (Hardcover)
Pages	132 pp
ISBN	0-19-271347-7
OCLC	595666
LC Class	PZ7.P4483 Pat

The novel was made into a television film in 1983. The film was the first significant on screen role for Helena Bonham Carter; the cast also included Philip Jackson and Suzanna Hamilton.

Plot summary

While his parents are renovating a cottage in an English village, Tim Ingram uncovers a mystery about the 15-year-old boy who once lived in the house and died in 1910 (1914 in the movie). With the help of his friend Rebecca, Tim investigates, but finds events from the past being mirrored in his own life.

Further reading

• Townsend, John Rowe (1984). "A Second Look: "A Pattern of Roses."". Horn Book Magazine. 60 (3): 361–64.
• Butler, Andrew M. (2011). "Review of Constructing Adolescence in Fantastic Realism". Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts. 22 (2 (82)): 263–266. ISSN 0897-0521. JSTOR 24353184.
• Waller, Alison (22 December 2010). Constructing Adolescence in Fantastic Realism. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-135-90463-0.
• Flack, Jerry D.; Lamb, Pose (September 1984). "Making Use of Gifted Characters in Literature". G/C/T. 7 (5): 3–11. doi:10.1177/107621758400700501. ISSN 0164-9728.