THE PROPER PLACE

First published in 1926, The Proper Place is a tender and thoughtful novel by O. Douglas, the pen name of Anna Buchan. Known for her gentle storytelling and keen insight into family life, Douglas tells the story of the noble Lady Brodie and her daughter as they adjust to reduced circumstances after selling their ancestral home.

With warmth, humor, and a deep understanding of human resilience, the novel explores themes of identity, belonging, and the search for one’s true “proper place” in the world. The Proper Place remains one of Douglas’s most beloved works, cherished for its charm, quiet strength, and heartfelt portrayal of Scottish domestic life.