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A Girl of the Limberlost


© Mary M. Alward

Dec 1, 2003


Author: Gene Stratton Porter

Publisher: Write Together Press

ISBN:1930142145

When I was about eleven years old, I came across a fabulous book at the library. Being a farm girl who loved nature, Gene Stratton Porter's, "A Girl of the Limberlost," swept me away to a magical world.

Elnora, the heroine of the story is sixteen. She lives near a swamp with her mother who is a widow. Elnora's father died when she was a baby. Her mother is a lonely, bitter woman, who is full of self pity. She shows no affection for Elnora and pays no attention to her. However, Elnora gets lots of affection from a childless couple who lives nearby.

Elnora spends much of her time exploring the swamp. She collects butterflies and moths. She picks up things in the swamp which she sells to help support her mother and herself, for they are very poor.

Throughout the story, Elnora is faced with many hardships. Instead of withdrawing into herself, as her mother has, the young girl faces her trials with courage. She blossoms and grows into a special young lady. She returns her mother's neglect with love and patience. Elnora meets each challenge head-on and continues to pursue her dreams in spite of all that happens.

As Elnora grows, her loving kindness toward her mother pays off. Her mother's heart softens. She learns to love again. This is a touching story that teaches its readers to pursue their dreams and reach for the sky. It shows that through patience and love, we can overcome insurmountable odds.

Gene Stratton Porter has done a marvelous job with this book. The imaging (making us feel like we are in the story) in the book is superb. You can enter the Limberlost through her words and live within the magical world of the swamp. The book is full of the natural history of the Limberlost Swamp of Indiana. "A Girl of the Limberlost," was first published in 1909. It has been read by our mothers and grandmothers. A real classic that will allow young readers to have a closer bond with the older women in their lives. Ages 6 to 12.

Book Excerpt:

"Yes," said the Bird Woman, "I will buy them, also the big moth caterpillars that are creeping everywhere now, and the cocoons that they will spin just about this time. I have a sneaking impression that the mystery, wonder, and the urge of their pure beauty, are going to force me to picture and paint our moths and put them into a book for all the world to see and know. We Limberlost people must not be selfish with the wonders God has given to us."

       

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages
4.   Feb 5, 2004 10:14 AM
In response to message posted by phoehne:

Peggy,

I have always loved Girl of the Limberlost. Like you, I have read it time ...

-- posted by Red
3.   Feb 5, 2004 10:12 AM
In response to message posted by Fort_Spunky:


Linda,

I'm sorry for not answering your thread before. I was actually on a ...

-- posted by Red
2.   Dec 2, 2003 6:34 PM
In response to message posted by Fort_Spunky:

I must have read Girl of the Limberlost a dozen times. I still love it. I've r ...

-- posted by phoehne
1.   Dec 1, 2003 5:51 PM
Hi Mary,

I was a little older than 11 when I discovered Gene Stratton Porter's books, but I read every one I could get my hands on and several of them I read many times, like The Harvester. There w ...

-- posted by Fort_Spunky



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