You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
After being reminded of THE GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST I got in the mood to read it again. In 1987 my grandmother “Tilly” gave me a copy of the book that I still have. This is the last book that I read (reread) before leaving on a mission to France. It has been 21 years since I read it last and I am happy to say I still enjoyed it. There is a bit of a worry that books we loved growing up won’t be as great as we remembered. So glad this wasn’t the case.
Even though it has been a long time since I read the book I remembered the plot and some of the things that happened. At least I did until the middle of the book when I found all that I remembered had already occurred and I had half the book left. Ha, ha! The second half was a pleasant surprise.
The ending reminded me a bit of Georgette Heyer. Elnora was quiet clever. The story is about a young girl who wants to go to high school and helps pay for her expenses by selling moths to various collectors. She is able to succeed and even excel despite the disadvantages of her home life and upbringing. The second half takes place after she graduates from high school and involves a certain young man. Elnora tests this man’s affections in her own unique way.
It was a joy to reread this book. I took down some really great quotes as well:
“What you are lies with you. If you are lazy, and accept your lot, you may live in it. If you are willing to work, you can write your name anywhere you choose.” (p. 49)
“Work for work’s sake don’t appeal to me. I work for results.” (p. 264)
“If your studying science and the elements has ever led you to feel that things just happen, kind of evolve by chance, as it were, this sight will be good for you. Maybe earth and air accumulate, but it takes the wisdom of the Almighty God to devise the wings of a moth. If there ever was a miracle, this whole process is one.” (p. 296)
“The world is full of happy people, but no one ever hears of them. You have to fight and make a scandal to get into the papers. No one knows about all the happy people. I am happy myself, and just look how perfectly inconspicuous I am.” (p. 311)
Even though it has been a long time since I read the book I remembered the plot and some of the things that happened. At least I did until the middle of the book when I found all that I remembered had already occurred and I had half the book left. Ha, ha! The second half was a pleasant surprise.
The ending reminded me a bit of Georgette Heyer. Elnora was quiet clever. The story is about a young girl who wants to go to high school and helps pay for her expenses by selling moths to various collectors. She is able to succeed and even excel despite the disadvantages of her home life and upbringing. The second half takes place after she graduates from high school and involves a certain young man. Elnora tests this man’s affections in her own unique way.
It was a joy to reread this book. I took down some really great quotes as well:
“What you are lies with you. If you are lazy, and accept your lot, you may live in it. If you are willing to work, you can write your name anywhere you choose.” (p. 49)
“Work for work’s sake don’t appeal to me. I work for results.” (p. 264)
“If your studying science and the elements has ever led you to feel that things just happen, kind of evolve by chance, as it were, this sight will be good for you. Maybe earth and air accumulate, but it takes the wisdom of the Almighty God to devise the wings of a moth. If there ever was a miracle, this whole process is one.” (p. 296)
“The world is full of happy people, but no one ever hears of them. You have to fight and make a scandal to get into the papers. No one knows about all the happy people. I am happy myself, and just look how perfectly inconspicuous I am.” (p. 311)
I was never much of a rereader. I knew that there was a lot to read and I wanted to get to as many books as possible. I think I was 40 before I was willing to admit that I wasn't going to be able to read every book that I was interested in. However, A Girl of the Limberlost was an early reread for me. My grandmother had a copy and I read often at her house. I don't think there were many other books that appealed to me in that house.
Recently, I decided if I was going to exercise more, I would have to come up with a reason to get on the treadmill. Reading became the obvious incentive. The books I read at the gym, I only read at the gym. Further incentive became revisiting some old favorites that I could get from Project Gutenberg. That way I had the books on my iPad, but they didn't cost me anything.
Stratton Porter's classic is the first book I picked up from this website and I enjoyed every word. I had remembered much of this story, but it was fun to revisit Elnora Comstock, her mother and the rest of the characters. There is bit Horatio Alger in this book, but I can read past that and enjoy the place and plot. Elnora was the strong, young woman I remembered.
I recommend this novel to any adult who missed it when they were younger. Written in 1909, I am not sure this would appeal to many teens of the 21st century.
Recently, I decided if I was going to exercise more, I would have to come up with a reason to get on the treadmill. Reading became the obvious incentive. The books I read at the gym, I only read at the gym. Further incentive became revisiting some old favorites that I could get from Project Gutenberg. That way I had the books on my iPad, but they didn't cost me anything.
Stratton Porter's classic is the first book I picked up from this website and I enjoyed every word. I had remembered much of this story, but it was fun to revisit Elnora Comstock, her mother and the rest of the characters. There is bit Horatio Alger in this book, but I can read past that and enjoy the place and plot. Elnora was the strong, young woman I remembered.
I recommend this novel to any adult who missed it when they were younger. Written in 1909, I am not sure this would appeal to many teens of the 21st century.
How did I never read this before? I do enjoy the early 1900s time period, and this is written contemporaneously (is that right) rather than decades later from memories. It's certainly enjoyable, although definitely not as tightly woven as, say, a Betsy-Tacy book.
This nostalgic story was written in 1906, but has rather surprising relevance to today's culture. Well crafted and unique, the issues covered include: bullying, parental neglect, extramarital affair, unhealthy grief, peer pressure, alcoholism, window peeping, depression, and class culture clashes. Elnora is a teenage girl with many factors making life difficult. In true American spirit, she rises above the odds and educates herself and teaches others how to treat her. She achieves not only an education, but becomes a musical virtuoso and esteemed local scientist ... and don't forget about finding true love.
This was a Brookes' women recommendation, and all the books my mom-in-law has recommended, I've enjoyed thus far. The first few chapters were difficult for me to get into, but after that hump, I was really enjoying the plot. It felt very Anne of Green Gables-ish to me. Without breaking slates over boys' heads. :-)
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
3.5 stars for the great love story and ending and the whole last quarter of the book.
This book was so dated that I had a hard time getting through it. Still the story was sweet and lovely. Elnora is a darling, and her mother's actions made me cry (though she does redeem herself). And the moths, seriously, it just got to be too much.
Summary:Deeply wounded by her embittered mother's lack of sympathy for her aspirations, Elnora finds comfort in the nearby Limberlost Swamp, whose beauty and rich abundance provide her with the means to better her life.
This book was so dated that I had a hard time getting through it. Still the story was sweet and lovely. Elnora is a darling, and her mother's actions made me cry (though she does redeem herself). And the moths, seriously, it just got to be too much.
Summary:Deeply wounded by her embittered mother's lack of sympathy for her aspirations, Elnora finds comfort in the nearby Limberlost Swamp, whose beauty and rich abundance provide her with the means to better her life.
Sigh. Better than Freckles, but not by much.
Elnora is a Mary Sue, naturalist edition.
Her mother is a piece of work but way more interesting.
Also, when in the course of 8-10 years (the events of Freckles and A Girl of the Limberlost), numerous species go extinct and a vast natural habitat is ravaged for timber and oil, well, it speaks much about America’s view of “progress.”
TBF the author was a naturalist, but her narrative suggests she was okay with it.
Elnora is a Mary Sue, naturalist edition.
Her mother is a piece of work but way more interesting.
Also, when in the course of 8-10 years (the events of Freckles and A Girl of the Limberlost), numerous species go extinct and a vast natural habitat is ravaged for timber and oil, well, it speaks much about America’s view of “progress.”
TBF the author was a naturalist, but her narrative suggests she was okay with it.