I still have a story I wrote when I was ten, which has very detailed imaginary maps so I was obviously interested in place, even then. 'I started writing when I was very young-probably about seven,' Harris recalled, 'and illustrated my stories too. The differing viewpoints, and the different way in which each sister sees the same incident seems to be an aspect of the books that has greatly appealed to readers. Writing four books about four orphaned sisters gave me the opportunity to explore, not only the effect position-eldest, youngest, middle child, etc.-has on character, but also the changing relationships between the siblings as they grow up….

'I have always been interested in family relationships, for instance, and sibling relationships in particular. 'I use my writing to study in greater depth subjects that fascinate me or intrigue me,' Harris explained to SATA. Beginning with her focus on Sarah Purcell in The Silent Shore, each book follows the fortunes of one particular sister and is narrated from her perspective: Sarah, Frances, Julia, and Gwen Purcell in turn. The Silent Shore, The Beckoning Hills, The Dividing Sea, and Beyond the Orchid House comprise the 'Sisters of the Quantock Hills' series and focus on four sisters who reside in a large house in rural England at the beginning of the twentieth century. Popular with young fans of historical fiction, Harris's 'Sisters of the Quantock Hills' series has been published in both England and the United States. Moving to Canada at the age of twenty-one, she spent three years traveling throughout North America, then returned to England and worked in a variety of fields before penning her first children's book in the mid-1980s. Growing up in England, Ruth Elwin Harris decided to travel and see the world, believing it would strengthen her writing. The Dividing Sea, Walker Books (London, England) 1989, published as Julia's Story, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 2002.īillie: The Nevill Letters, 1914–1916, Julia MacRae Books (London, England), 1991.īeyond the Orchid House, Julia MacRae Books (London, England), 1994, published as Gwen's Story, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 2002.Īlso author of Choices, and numerous short stories for magazines and radio. The Beckoning Hills, Julia MacRae Books (London, England), 1987, published as Frances' Story, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 2002. The Silent Shore, Walker Books (London, England), 1986, reprinted, Julia MacRae Books (London, England), 2002, published as Sarah's Story, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 2002. Memberīritish Society of Authors, Royal Air Force Club, Western Front Association. Worked variously as a theatre stage manager, sailing instructor, secretary and personal assistant, personnel officer, civil servant, lecturer, and school governor. Agent-c/o Author Mail, Walker Books Ltd., 87 Vauxhall Walk, London SE11 5HJ, England.

Julia's Story by Ruth Elwin Harris