Genre: Novel
Topics: Coming-of-age, romance
Review by: Melissa at Avid Reader's Musings
A Girl of the Limberlost
by Gene Stratton-Porter
★★★★★
How did I miss this book when I was younger? It’s like a
slighter darker version of Anne of Green Gables, and I loved every second of
it.
Published in 1909, the story is about a young girl named
Elnora who lives in the country. She is going to high school for the first
time, but her lack of social skills and money makes the way difficult. Her
whole life has been spent on her farm with her cold, unloving mother. Her
father died in the Limberlost swamp the day she was born and her mother has
resented her ever since.
Elnora is such a unique character. She is stubborn and
driven to succeed. She's fiercely intelligent but incredibly compassionate. She
is patient, giving her mother the benefit of the doubt for years. She's a hard
worker, willing to make money to achieve her dreams. She has self-respect and
is willing to sacrifice in order to find true happiness. She reminded me a
little bit of Jane Austen’s Lizzy Bennet, particularly in a scene where one
woman comes to talk to her about her possible engagement.
There is so much I loved about this book. There's a
fantastic female lead who isn't just trying to win a man. The plot focuses on
relationships with her family and friends and pursuing her dreams. She stands
up for herself even when she doesn't fit in. She's a problem solver and isn't
overwhelmed when a slight obstacle gets in her path.
**SPOILERS**
Kate Comstock, Elnora's mother, is a fascinating
character. She’s so oblivious to the pain she causes her daughter because she’s
trapped in a prison of grief. She has one of the most drastic changes in
attitude and overall character development that I've ever read. The way it's
done it's completely believable, but it's still a 180 and it was so satisfying
to see her relationship with Elnora change throughout the book.
I love how the romantic aspect of the story played out
too. Elnora protects her own feelings and isn’t swayed the moment Philip gave
her a second glance. She waited until she was sure he didn't want anyone else
and she was not just a consolation prize. That’s so unusual to find in a novel,
especially one written more than 100 years ago. She wanted someone who loved
her deeply, not someone who settled for her in a moment of passion.
**SPOILERS OVER**
BOTTOM LINE: I fell hard for this novel. Elnora is so
determined and intelligent, she’s definitely become one of my new favorites.
The book is chocked full of wonderful characters, including her Uncle Wesley,
the young ruffian Billy and even her selfish, detached mother becomes a
character you care about.
