"The Limberlost is life...What I like is the excitement of choosing a path carefully, in the fear that the quagmire may reach out and suck me down; to go into the swamp naked-handed and wrest from it treasures that bring me books and clothing, and I like enough of a fight for things that I always remember how I get them." Back cover of the novel in Elnora's words.
Elnora is the main character in Gene Stratton Porter's novel that was recommended to me by my friend Harmony. I have to admit that I wasn't keen on reading it and it turned out to be different than I expected. I'm not sure I had very high expectations but in the end I'm certainly glad I read it. This novel was written about a girl in rural Indiana around the turn of the century. Elnora's father died when she was very young and the effect it had on her mother, Kate, has left a rift of misunderstanding floating between them. Kate doesn't understand why Elnora would want to attend high school and Elnora doesn't understand why her mother refuses to assist her in the necessary financial obligations.
Throughout the novel Elnora is given various hardships and is able to overcome them with imagination and poise. She has had an affinity for the things of the Limberlost, the natural life, and uses it to her advantage. This is definitely classic 'coming of age' tale reminiscent of Anne of Green Gables and Huckleberry Finn. The cast of characters come alive and you grow to love, hate, sympathize, or dread them. You worry about Elnora when it looks as if her innocence is in danger and you are proud of her when she stands up for herself, her way of life, and her relationship with the sickly yet dashing Philip Ammon. This story has all the elements of a fun read, it has adventure, romance, character growth and vivid details. Definitely worth your while.
After finishing it I came away with a strong desire to get to know my new home and all the natural splendors within it. I didn't want to collect butterflies or anything but I did want to reconnect with the natural world around me. Nature has so much to offer and in this day and age we have become too busy with our daily fast-paced lives to even notice. When was the last time you appreciated a sunset and the natural hues of red, purple, and pink; what about the lazy circling of a bird of prey as it hunts and spies its next meal; perhaps the scurrying of an army of ants as they busily go about the daily grind of ensuring their queen's health and happiness; or maybe the loving gaze of a long-time pet as he/she watches you in adoration as you sit quietly on the couch and read. Embrace the world that we have forgotten, beauty and surprise lie under every rock, in every tree, over any mountain and within the human body. No matter where you live whether in the 'cement jungle' or the backwoods of Kentucky take a look around you and notice that which caught at Elnora's heartstrings and allow it to tug on your own. Isn't it time we all reconnected to the natural?
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
"A tiny girl is abandoned on a ship headed for Australia in 1913. She arrives completely alone with nothing but a small suitcase containing a few clothes and a single book - a beautiful volume of fairy tales. She is taken in by the dockmaster and his wife and raised as their own. On her twenty-first birthday, they tell her the truth, and with her sense of self shattered and very little to go on, "Nell" sets out to trace her real identity. Her quest leads her to Blackhurst Manor on the Cornish coast and the secrets of the doomed Mountrachet family. But it is not until her granddaughter, Cassandra, takes up the search after Nell's death that all the pieces of the puzzle are assembled. A spellbinding tale of mystery and self-discovery, The Forgotten Garden will take hold of your imagination and never let go."
That is the description on the back of the book. When first given this book by my friend Harmony I wasn't sure at all if it was something I'd be into but since we are going to visit her next month I knew I had to read it so I could return the book. I read this particular book in 1.5 days (it's 549 pages). Not only did it capture my attention and keep me interested it kept me guessing. Every time I turned around I thought I knew what would happen and then something would emerge in the story line and make my theory change.
At first it was difficult keeping track of the various characters in the various times but eventually I straightened it out in my head and looked forward to what each of them had to say. Nell, the 'little girl lost', was the crotchety old woman with a past. You think you understand her and then you realize you don't. Cassandra, the devoted granddaughter, has had some things happen that she is trying to overcome but she doesn't realize the healing process of the journey until much later. Eliza and Rose are polar opposites. You think you know how they are connected and in a sense you do but then suddenly you don't. You find yourself connecting emotionally with each of the characters, mourning with them, loving them, being their cheerleader, and then in the end missing them when the story is complete. The Forgotten Garden really does spin such an amazing tale that you want the end to be different although you know how it ends in the first pages. It's sad but you are given a sense of hope. Not only for the characters but for yourself. This book inspires its readers to learn about the hidden story behind each and every one of us.
Not all of us will have characters in our family tree as colorful, adventurous or courageous as those in this novel but you never know. Perhaps you have an Eliza, a Rose, or even a Nell. Perhaps your ancestors were slave owners or pirates, royalty or czars, paupers or gold diggers. I think now it's time we each take a lesson and search our own personal histories for the 'novels' that created us. I'm grateful to Harmony for passing this book my way, although she will get her copy back I will soon have my very own copy that I can re-read again and again. I highly doubt that the story will lose its fascination or grip with another reading. In fact, I think that it will continue to inspire and encourage me to keep going. To look at everyone I meet as a person with a past much more interesting than what appears on thier cover.
That is the description on the back of the book. When first given this book by my friend Harmony I wasn't sure at all if it was something I'd be into but since we are going to visit her next month I knew I had to read it so I could return the book. I read this particular book in 1.5 days (it's 549 pages). Not only did it capture my attention and keep me interested it kept me guessing. Every time I turned around I thought I knew what would happen and then something would emerge in the story line and make my theory change.
At first it was difficult keeping track of the various characters in the various times but eventually I straightened it out in my head and looked forward to what each of them had to say. Nell, the 'little girl lost', was the crotchety old woman with a past. You think you understand her and then you realize you don't. Cassandra, the devoted granddaughter, has had some things happen that she is trying to overcome but she doesn't realize the healing process of the journey until much later. Eliza and Rose are polar opposites. You think you know how they are connected and in a sense you do but then suddenly you don't. You find yourself connecting emotionally with each of the characters, mourning with them, loving them, being their cheerleader, and then in the end missing them when the story is complete. The Forgotten Garden really does spin such an amazing tale that you want the end to be different although you know how it ends in the first pages. It's sad but you are given a sense of hope. Not only for the characters but for yourself. This book inspires its readers to learn about the hidden story behind each and every one of us.
Not all of us will have characters in our family tree as colorful, adventurous or courageous as those in this novel but you never know. Perhaps you have an Eliza, a Rose, or even a Nell. Perhaps your ancestors were slave owners or pirates, royalty or czars, paupers or gold diggers. I think now it's time we each take a lesson and search our own personal histories for the 'novels' that created us. I'm grateful to Harmony for passing this book my way, although she will get her copy back I will soon have my very own copy that I can re-read again and again. I highly doubt that the story will lose its fascination or grip with another reading. In fact, I think that it will continue to inspire and encourage me to keep going. To look at everyone I meet as a person with a past much more interesting than what appears on thier cover.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Obsession, Passion, Hobby...Does it really matter what we call it?
Lastnight in a Nyquil stupor I realized the secret to blogging. You must blog about something that you really care about. Some people blog about their family (yep, I am one of those) and others blog about scrapbooking, hunting, movies, finances, church, and a plethora of other topics. When I think about my personal obsession two things come to mind: Elizabeth I & books. I figure I can incorporate the first while addressing the other so here it is. If you know me, and even if you don't you will soon enough, you'll realize that I love books. During a recent move I believe we had more boxes of books than another single other item. I was proud of myself when I let go of a small box of books but couldn't bring myself to let go of more.
I wasn't always connected with books. In fact I didn't discover the allure of words until I was in 7th grade where I was placed in a remedial reading class. I'm sure there were a lot of things we did but what I reemmber most was choosing a book from the tall bookshelf and reading it. I would then report back to the teacher what I had read. I don't remember her name but I do remember that since that time I have never been able to put a book down. My husband commented once to friends that in the time that he has known me (10 years) he has never seen me without a book. I'm constantly reading. I don't limit myself to one genre, instead I find it much more exciting and fulfilling to one day pick up a science fiction book and then when I'm done pick up historical fiction or cultural non-fiction. I find that my personal viewpoints and interests are adjusted, expanded, deepened and explored through whatever I might be reading at the time. If a book doesn't interest me I put it down and try to read it later. If after several failed attempts at reading I will give it to someone who will appreciate it more.
It will surprise some of you to know that I do not intend my first book blog to be about my favorite author, Brandon Sanderson, but someone I recently discovered through the recommendation of a good friend. Each week I plan to write about a book, author, article, or whatever strikes my fancy...as long as it's something I read. So this little thing, this hobby...or obsession as others would put it...this passion of mine is here for you to read. Perhaps there are fellow bibliomaniacs or bibliophiles out there who can point me in the direction of more good books to read. If you are a budding bookworm just breaking through your own cocoon have no fear, you are in very good company.
I would love your comments, book/author recommendations, histories, etc. I'm excited to have you join me on this varied and wonderful journey.
I wasn't always connected with books. In fact I didn't discover the allure of words until I was in 7th grade where I was placed in a remedial reading class. I'm sure there were a lot of things we did but what I reemmber most was choosing a book from the tall bookshelf and reading it. I would then report back to the teacher what I had read. I don't remember her name but I do remember that since that time I have never been able to put a book down. My husband commented once to friends that in the time that he has known me (10 years) he has never seen me without a book. I'm constantly reading. I don't limit myself to one genre, instead I find it much more exciting and fulfilling to one day pick up a science fiction book and then when I'm done pick up historical fiction or cultural non-fiction. I find that my personal viewpoints and interests are adjusted, expanded, deepened and explored through whatever I might be reading at the time. If a book doesn't interest me I put it down and try to read it later. If after several failed attempts at reading I will give it to someone who will appreciate it more.
It will surprise some of you to know that I do not intend my first book blog to be about my favorite author, Brandon Sanderson, but someone I recently discovered through the recommendation of a good friend. Each week I plan to write about a book, author, article, or whatever strikes my fancy...as long as it's something I read. So this little thing, this hobby...or obsession as others would put it...this passion of mine is here for you to read. Perhaps there are fellow bibliomaniacs or bibliophiles out there who can point me in the direction of more good books to read. If you are a budding bookworm just breaking through your own cocoon have no fear, you are in very good company.
I would love your comments, book/author recommendations, histories, etc. I'm excited to have you join me on this varied and wonderful journey.
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