Penny Plain

In Penny Plain we join a young woman named Jean as she, her brothers, and their elderly servants live life in the rugged and unforgiving atmosphere of 19th century Scotland.

Vivid accounts of Scottish town life, the country's lowlands, its people and culture characterize this book. We see how day to day life, challenges and events play out in the locality, and how Jean and her family effort to get by. Few - least of all this tale's characters - have it easy in life, with luxuries scarce and extravagance a rarity.

Jean impresses those around her for her simple, no-nonsense nature which is free of pretension or showiness. She is firmly unimpressed by displays of power or money, and only aspires to live and look after her loved ones. Even after being befriended by a local aristocratic woman, Jean stays true to her nature and does not attempt to climb the social ladder.

A happy meditation upon life in Scotland in the olden days, Penny Plain remains one of O. Douglas best loved novels. Its simple statements on the importance of community, family and care are eternal, with the character of Jean to a large extent representing what is great about a close knit, small town upbringing in the North.