Scan barcode
magicraft's review
3.0
My 90-year old mother-in-law discovered this book in a yard sale box and was so delighted with the story that she asked me to read it for a discussion, otherwise I wouldn't have known about the story (and probably wouldn't have read it if I had known).
Written in 1913, the novel is the story of a child, Dick, who looses his faith in god after his mother dies from longing for his father who is away expanding the British Empire in India. After Dick's mother dies, he is left with his aunt and uncle who are horrid. Getting into mischief as six year old boys tend to do, Dick is severely disciplined and decides to abandon the bible and forsake god. He grows up to become a doctor and encounters the elderly "Little White Lady" near death while passing a church. She has a terminal illness, but on that day Dick saves her life and they develop a friendship. Being a devout Christian, the Little White Lady fears for his godless soul but sees he is an excellent physician and believes him to be a good man.
The story contains the Christian sensibilities of the time and a negative view of atheists. Initially I was bored with the puritan beginning and the bible references throughout, but the story gets more interesting as the Little White Lady tells her own story and more is revealed about Dick's character. There are a few surprises, but the ending is predictable.
As far as books of the early 20th century go, this one was an easy read but the conversion aspects are not for everyone.
Written in 1913, the novel is the story of a child, Dick, who looses his faith in god after his mother dies from longing for his father who is away expanding the British Empire in India. After Dick's mother dies, he is left with his aunt and uncle who are horrid. Getting into mischief as six year old boys tend to do, Dick is severely disciplined and decides to abandon the bible and forsake god. He grows up to become a doctor and encounters the elderly "Little White Lady" near death while passing a church. She has a terminal illness, but on that day Dick saves her life and they develop a friendship. Being a devout Christian, the Little White Lady fears for his godless soul but sees he is an excellent physician and believes him to be a good man.
The story contains the Christian sensibilities of the time and a negative view of atheists. Initially I was bored with the puritan beginning and the bible references throughout, but the story gets more interesting as the Little White Lady tells her own story and more is revealed about Dick's character. There are a few surprises, but the ending is predictable.
As far as books of the early 20th century go, this one was an easy read but the conversion aspects are not for everyone.
More...