Rating: 
Summary: Glorious
Review: Shelve Titanic. Read this book instead. I normally avoid romances, but this is the most amazing book I have ever read. On a desert island, I would choose this book. Elnora Comstock is a poor, emotionally-neglected girl whose mother despises her, and is pitied by her classmates at a local college. Elnora's sole friends are the nearby farmers, and the Bird Woman, collector of moths. Since Elnora lives within range of the huge, dangerous swamp "Limberlost", she often goes into it to collect moths. Soon, she discovers that she can pay her way through school with them. Along the way, she befriends and homeless children, and recovers her father's old violin. When her mother discovers a devastating secret about her husband, she seeks to make things right between her and Elnora. The second half of the book involves Elnora's nature-bound friendship with a rich young man, Philip Ammon. Ammon and Elnora slowly begin to fall in love... but he is already engaged to a jealous and egotistical young woman in Chicago. Keep in mind that at the time, an engagement was virtually the same thing as a marriage... Elnora and Ammon's love is pure and lovely, completely devoid of physical attraction, and their romance is the best one in books. The characters are phenomenal, including Mrs. Comstock and Ammon's fiancee, neither of whom become cookie-cutter persecuters. The only flat character is the Bird Woman, but she is rarely there. The dialogue is good enough to be in a modern novel, and girls can sympathize with Elnora's embarrassment. Elnora Comstock herself is one of the best literary heroines I've ever seen. She is independent and intelligent, concerned with physical appearance and yet aware that it's what's inside that counts, strong and feminine. She is the best example ever that a woman can be fill traditional roles without being repressed or oppressed. This book is amazing. If you haven't read it already, you should! :):):)
Rating:
Summary: A timeless story of love, forgiveness, growth & happiness
Review: There are few books as readable, time after time, as this one by Gene Stratton-Porter. Its themes are as relevant today as they were when they were written at the turn of the century - overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges; fitting in; challenging relationships; the value of friends and family; grief; belonging; honesty; education - formal, informal and the school of hard knocks; the wonder and beauty of the natural world - moths, woods, and swamps in particular; the ecological impact of development; love; patience; creative thinking; jealousy; and commitment. First read at age 12 and later shared with my husband and daughters, we are enriched with every reading. Its lucid prose draws us deep into the northeastern Indiana woods, and we can't help but relish life, moths, and Elnora. Gene Stratton-Porter was once asked why she wrote such positive stories when more sensational, raw novels would probably sell more books. She said something to the effect that there is enough sordidness in the world, what we all need to be reminded of is that goodness is also there, and that she preferred writing stories which allow us to be uplifted and guided by that goodness! Now a grandmother, I still appreciate the good fortune of having had a grandmother introduced Gene Stratton-Porter's books to me. This and should be on Oprah's Book Club and a feature film!
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