by Gene Stratton Porter. Freckles was published in 1904; A Girl of the Limberlost in 1911.
Notes about the author: Because of the spelling of the name, I supposed the books were written by a man, but the author's actual name was Geneva Grace Stratton. Is it any wonder she's described as an "American feminist, environmentalist, photographer" and "one of Indiana's most famous female authors"?
From time to time I think of a book I enjoyed in my childhood about a girl who lived in a forest, but I never can remember the name of it. I thought it might be A Girl of the Limberlost, so I checked it out from the library. As I began to read, I didn't recognize the character or her story, but because of references to a man named Freckles, I surmised it was a sequel, so back I went to the library to check out Freckles as well.
I have begun to read that now – and so far am really enjoying the experience. There's such a charm about both books. The writing is in an old-fashioned style, using a vocabulary I appreciate, and although in both books our hero and heroine have suffered from cruelty and indifference, they also receive great kindness and compassion – qualities I believe are characteristic of most "ordinary" people and to which I aspire.
2 comments:
It is so immensely gratifying to have peers (sisters) who enjoy the same things I do. In my search for that fellowship of spirit that happens with very few people... reading and enjoying the same books may be first on my list of that "ping!" of community. Though I enjoy the fellowship which my relationship with God creates, finding a believer who also reads my favorite stuff layers on a delicious frosting. I remember so well reading Gene Stratton Porter as a girl, and the feeling I had of belonging to a community of readers... Mother, Aunt Glenda, and now you and Phyllis. Sigh.... heavenly!
My favorite memory is reading Girls of the Limberlost (is that the right title). It is really the first book-book I remember reading. It was at Aunt Glenda's in High Rolls...I truly escaped with that book.
I ditto your comment, Yvonne!
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