In the TV serial, little Kizzy Lovell is not diddakoi, a half-gypsy, but a full Romany. Show full synopsisĪdapted from (Margaret) Rumer Godden's 1972 novel The Diddakoi, the only major change apart from a linear re-ordering of events was regarding the title. Crossposted here.A little gypsy girl must overcome personal tragedy and bullying when she is forced to adopt a 'gorgio' way of life. And inspite of the many negatives, the many questions it raises, especially in young minds, it is an incredibly uplifting book, with a happy ending. The book should be read in the context of the period in which it is set, as there is much that can be considered 'politically incorrect'. It has been called 'the sort of book children had to fight for to get it from adults'.

This is her best known book for children, which got the Whitbread Award in 1972. Clare series, and Lotta from her Circus books.

In some ways Kizzy reminded me of some of Enid Blyton's similar characters- Carlotta from the St. Kizzy Lovell, our central girl character, the 'diddakoi'=half-gypsy, who is picked on by the other children for being different, and who is in the centre of a controversy over who should foster her, and how, is a throwback to that childhood. That patience, love and care can wrought wonders.īorn in 1907, Rumer Godden herself was very difficult, different in many ways as a child, and in this book she writes from her own memories of it. 'But I tell you, Olivia, that child's too much on your mind.'Īn ordinary children's story of extraordinary meanings, the book takes one on a roller coaster ride of emotions, which nevertheless unfold very gently at times and with the dramatic quality of a tempest at others. That brings home to us the fact that the human spirit is more resilient than one can imagine, and that we all that the light with the dark in all of us. 'Well, please yourself,' said Mrs Cuthbert. 'Children are people, Edna,' said Miss Brooke as she had said it to Mrs Blount. People should always be asked before being disposed of.' 'It's good of you, Edna,' Miss Brooke repeated, but it might spoil your holiday. A legal care system where the best interests of a child is decided by the letter of the law, and not by what the child would want, or what might be truly best for the child. We see well-meaning adults going wrong. Others unaware of their own ability to give and heal. The fact that prejudices can lead to fear of a situation/ person, and that they can become difficult to overcome.Īn ordinary 'Miss Marple-ish' British village in the 1960s where everyone knows everybody. The fact that 'normal, nice' children can, in fact, be very cruel, especially if they reflect the prejudices of their elders. A misfit at school, targeted with some serious bullying for being different. Cover illustration by Christian BirminghamĪ complex, well written book that draws one into it.Ī spirited, half-gypsy, half-Irish girl.

The diddakoi summary