Talk:Mary Stewart (novelist)

Latest comment: 1 year ago by 2600:6C5D:5A00:B1D:9558:4229:8BDF:5722 in topic Adaptations

[Untitled] edit

I just wanted to let Mrs.Stewart know how much I enjoy her work. I am 70 years old and have read and reread her books. Thank you so much the pleasant hours. Le Anne —Preceding unsigned comment added by 63.215.29.237 (talk) 15:21, 3 May 2008 (UTC)Reply

I agree. The Crystal Cave and The Hollow Hills are better than anything else in recent Arthurian literature.86.166.226.170 (talk) 18:34, 20 May 2008 (UTC)Reply

I agree too! I also have read and re-read Mary Stewart's novels over many years and always find them as exciting as the first time I read them! The descriptions of locations are wonderful and really bring the story to life. I feel as if I know all the heroines of the novels personally. Thank you, Lady Stewart, for many happy hours of reading. June Charman91.125.103.249 (talk) 20:40, 3 April 2009 (UTC)Reply

Removal of sentence. edit

There was a sentence in the article about May Stewart: "She taught the school of John Norquay elementary for 30 to 35 years,but now she retired." I like Mary Stewart's book, so was interested in this statement, but when I investigated, I cannot believe this to be true. This school is in Vancouver, and Mary Stewart lives (and has lived) in Scotland! I looked when the sentence was added. It was Revision as of 02:29, 14 December 2006 and this was all that was added: "She taught the school of John Norquay elementary for 30 to 35 years,but now she retired. She is now in the BC's Sports Hall Of Fame." The second sentence was later removed as obviously belonging to Mary Stewar the Canadian swimmer. I don't know if the first sentence is also Mary Stewart the swimmer as well (I can't find any proof of this), or some other Mary Stewart - it's a common name!

I suppose that there may be a school of the same name in Scotland, but I can't find it. What's more, I found this: http://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/ceremonies/congregation/stewart_mary.pdf the 'celebrate the achievements' of Mary Stewart by Durham University when they gave her an honorary degree. It describes her life, including teaching at school and university before marriage, but mentions no teaching at all after her marriage, although it mentions some of her hobbies. It includes her novels, so obviously we have the right Mary Stewart. I realise that this is negative evidence, but combined with the fact that the original statement was made combined with an incorrect statement, that the school is in the wrong country, and that I can find no evidence AT ALL that she even taught after her marriage, let alone taught at the same Primary School for 30-35 years, while writing a considerable number of books, and travelling widely with her husband (and they moved a couple of times during their married life), I feel that this statement mus be false. 'Clones' of the article, with the false statement, are littering the internet, what's more! So I've removed it. Hope that's OK! —Preceding unsigned comment added by Joedkins (talkcontribs) 16:14, 31 August 2009 (UTC)Reply

I want to say that as a child growing up and learning to read, I would look through my parents' bookcase to see if I knew enough to be able to read their books. "See Jane Run" and "Go Spot Go" were my jumping off books along with the Bobsey Twins, etc. until I could read Mom's books. Mary Stewart's My Brother Michael, Madam Will You Talk, and (was it Two or Three?) Coaches Waiting were the very first adult books I read. Her books are still my favorite, and I go to them when I need a "comfy" book. She makes me want to be an author myself....and someday perhaps I will be a fraction as talented as Mary Stewart is. Fran —Preceding unsigned comment added by FranPeters (talkcontribs) 01:16, 13 September 2009 (UTC)Reply


I'd like to add my thanks to this. I first discovered Mary Stewart when I read the Crystal Cave when I was 16 (many years ago). I have since read everything she wrote and think she was brilliant. I love her Merlin and Arthur quartet and can accept no other version of the story. She makes them come alive in a way that no one else does. I also love her romantic thrillers, I've read them all many times and will do so again. From her books I learned about many things whilst thoroughly enjoying myself. Thank you indeed. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.176.150.141 (talk) 18:59, 20 October 2009 (UTC)Reply

I agree with not accepting any other version of Merlin and King Arthur - I've read many, but absolutely adore her version. My second favorite is Thornyhold. I read it whenever I need comfort. The witch part is fun, but the description of her childhood and the necessity of owning something of her own rings true with me. I just wish I had a rich cousin or aunty to leave me an English cottage! I love Mary Stewart's writing; just wanted to let her know what peace she's brought me over the years. Megan E. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 216.83.137.91 (talk) 06:14, 29 October 2009 (UTC)Reply

Adaptations edit

This article says about her books "several of which have been adapted for television and/or film."

To the best of my knowledge, the only adaptations were the Disney film version of The Moonspinners and the BBC version of The Crystal Cave, both of which were pretty ropey to say the least. If I was Mary Stewart these adaptations would have made me determined not to sign away the film or tv rights to any of my other works - and maybe she took that position. It's a real shame because a good tv version of one of the romantic thrillers would be a treat. Maybe it's best left to our imagination? Ferrymansdaughter (talk) 19:23, 4 June 2010 (UTC)Reply

One definition of the word "several" is "more than one", so to say "several of which have been adapted for television and/or film" when speaking of Mary Stewart's novels is technically correct. 2600:6C5D:5A00:B1D:9558:4229:8BDF:5722 (talk) 10:50, 2 May 2023 (UTC)Reply

Sorry to say edit

on 10th of may 2014 Mary passed away at home calmly and with family. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.133.205.100 (talk) 16:13, 13 May 2014 (UTC)Reply

Could this notice be a hoax? See http en.mediamass.net/people/mary-stewart/deathhoax.html. Paolo Gibellini (talk) — Preceding undated comment added 14:17, 15 May 2014 (UTC)Reply

It is not a hoax. Newspapers like The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Scotsman and The New York Times have all published obituaries now. Although she died on May 9th, not May 10th. I hope this puts an end to all this hoax nonsense. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 194.69.14.179 (talkcontribs) 03:29, May 16, 2014 (UTC)

Thank you for the clarification. Paolo Gibellini (talk) 08:53, 16 May 2014 (UTC)Reply