Of all the books written by Hoosier writers, Gene Stratton-Porter’s A Girl of the Limberlost is unquestionably the most cherished: the timeless story of an impoverished young girl, Elnora Comstock, growing up on the edge of the Limberlost swamp. Elnora Comstock has served as a role model for successive generations of independent young readers.
A Girl of the Limberlost [with Biographical Introduction]
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About the Author
Gene (born Geneva) Stratton-Porter is one of Indiana's most famous authors. She was an independent woman, an accomplished naturalist, and a born storyteller. Born near Wabash, Indiana, she died in a streetcar accident in Los Angeles at the height of her movie production career.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
180 of 182 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Think of it as a Midwestern Cinderella story, but with no glass slipper and plenty of moths. Gene Stratton Porter was at the peak of her skills when she wrote "A Girl of the Limberlost," which starts off as a young girl's struggle against her mother's virulent hatred -- and soon evolves into an enchanting little romance.
Elnora Comstock has barely signed up for college when she discovers that she can't afford it -- tuition and textbooks cost too much, and her shabby clothes are mocked by her classmates. Even worse, her half-crazy, malicious mother refuses to cough up any money.
But she soon finds that she can pay another way -- a strange lady called the Bird Woman is willing to pay money for moths, butterflies, caterpillars and chrysalids, which Elnora can easily find in a vast dangerous swamp called the Limberlost. And her friends Margaret and Wesley are happy to help her in any way they can -- clothes, a violin -- until the day when Mrs. Comstock comes to a shocking realization about her daughter.
Then Elnora encounters a wealthy young man named Philip Ammon, who has the same love of nature that she has -- as well as a wealthy socialite fiancee named Edith. But when a party in honor of Edith and Philip's engagement is wrecked by a butterfly and a fit of jealousy, he begins to realize what his true feelings for Elnora are...
"A Girl of the Limberlost" can be divided into two sections -- the first is a Cinderellaesque story about a strong, intelligent young girl who is pursing her music and education, despite her nasty old mother's loathing of her. But once that storyline is wrapped up, the second half of the book becomes a haunting, passionate love story.
Stratton-Porter was at her peak when she wrote this -- her prose is overflowing with natural beauty ("the whole earth was purple with a thick blanket of violets") and some very tough personal situations, such as when Margaret and Wesley take in a badly-abused young boy. And both halves of "A Girl of the Limberlost" reach a emotionally harrowing climax as two of the characters are forced to see the raw ugliness of their actions.
But the romance is also really adorable, especially since it's based on friendship and both parties only realize it belatedly. And Stratton-Porter adds in a touch of romance for other characters, including old married couples and snotty socialites.
Elnora is a likable, realistic girl that you'd like as a friend -- kind, charitable and hardworking, but has flashes of temper. And Philip Ammon is a rather sweet if clueless guy. Mrs. Comstock starts out as a crazy old lady who wallows in her grief and obsession with her dead husband, but Stratton-Porter rebuilds her into a character you can like and respect; Edith also starts off as a nasty snotty rich girl who cares more about social status than love, but the author puts her through the grinder and makes her more likable.
"A Girl of the Limberlost" is both a brilliant coming-of-age tale and a lush little romance, set against an epic backdrop of natural beauty. Definitely a must-read.
Elnora Comstock has barely signed up for college when she discovers that she can't afford it -- tuition and textbooks cost too much, and her shabby clothes are mocked by her classmates. Even worse, her half-crazy, malicious mother refuses to cough up any money.
But she soon finds that she can pay another way -- a strange lady called the Bird Woman is willing to pay money for moths, butterflies, caterpillars and chrysalids, which Elnora can easily find in a vast dangerous swamp called the Limberlost. And her friends Margaret and Wesley are happy to help her in any way they can -- clothes, a violin -- until the day when Mrs. Comstock comes to a shocking realization about her daughter.
Then Elnora encounters a wealthy young man named Philip Ammon, who has the same love of nature that she has -- as well as a wealthy socialite fiancee named Edith. But when a party in honor of Edith and Philip's engagement is wrecked by a butterfly and a fit of jealousy, he begins to realize what his true feelings for Elnora are...
"A Girl of the Limberlost" can be divided into two sections -- the first is a Cinderellaesque story about a strong, intelligent young girl who is pursing her music and education, despite her nasty old mother's loathing of her. But once that storyline is wrapped up, the second half of the book becomes a haunting, passionate love story.
Stratton-Porter was at her peak when she wrote this -- her prose is overflowing with natural beauty ("the whole earth was purple with a thick blanket of violets") and some very tough personal situations, such as when Margaret and Wesley take in a badly-abused young boy. And both halves of "A Girl of the Limberlost" reach a emotionally harrowing climax as two of the characters are forced to see the raw ugliness of their actions.
But the romance is also really adorable, especially since it's based on friendship and both parties only realize it belatedly. And Stratton-Porter adds in a touch of romance for other characters, including old married couples and snotty socialites.
Elnora is a likable, realistic girl that you'd like as a friend -- kind, charitable and hardworking, but has flashes of temper. And Philip Ammon is a rather sweet if clueless guy. Mrs. Comstock starts out as a crazy old lady who wallows in her grief and obsession with her dead husband, but Stratton-Porter rebuilds her into a character you can like and respect; Edith also starts off as a nasty snotty rich girl who cares more about social status than love, but the author puts her through the grinder and makes her more likable.
"A Girl of the Limberlost" is both a brilliant coming-of-age tale and a lush little romance, set against an epic backdrop of natural beauty. Definitely a must-read.
55 of 56 people found the following review helpful
By JF
Format:Paperback
A lovely early 20th century book about a girl who lives in a rural area, catching rare moths to put herself through high school. This book is perfect for a girl in her young teens- an innocently romantic tale that focuses a on girl's growing understanding of her own role in the world. While the book's language and setting might seem outdated to some, the theme and plot are timeless classics.
This is a book that I have loved reading and re-reading for the past 20 years, since I was about 13 years old.
This is a book that I have loved reading and re-reading for the past 20 years, since I was about 13 years old.
39 of 40 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I've read this book every few years or so since I was 10(I'm now 60) the first copy being my grandmother's. One is transported into a different world, one where goals were clearer . Elnora's struggles can be related to by any girl today, and her triumph is purely her own. A lovely theme in the book allows each character to come to life as a caterpillar, spend a time in a cocoon, them emerge finally as a beautiful moth. Elnora's mother's transformation is particularly splendid. The ecological concerns of the novel convince the reader that our "modern" problems are mere variations on a theme. The reverence for hard work, creativity, and strict moral standards are refreshing.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
Read this book when I was a little girl which inspired me to become a reader. Great book an well written.
Published 3 days ago by Loye Jaeger
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Absolute Must-Read Classic
As I said in an earlier review, this is Gene Stratton Porter's absolute best book, in my opinion. The characters are not one-dimensional, but have grit and the story so true of... Read more
Published 4 days ago by Susan Nichols
5.0 out of 5 stars
See Yourself Anew
Have you ever seen yourself in a story? I did in this one. As a shy country child who loved to spend hours out of doors watching nature, I pictured myself through these pages.. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Crystal M. Lindsey
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Transformation Story
Girl of the Limberlost is not only a journey to a wooded, swampy wonderland of unfamiliar people and creatures but a story which guides us through the journey of transformation. Read more
Published 1 month ago by J. Steiner
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fascinating look at a young girl's life in the early twentieth...
My grandmother told me she wouldn't worry about my reading habits if I read Gene Stratton Porter's books. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Virginia Pence
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gift for mom.
I purchased this book for my mom, who read it when she was a child, and wished she could have a copy now. She loves this book.
Published 2 months ago by BGum
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Girl of the Limberlost
I could not put this book down. This child had so much cest for life and love for her mother that she never gave up on believing that one day her mother would love her as she... Read more
Published 2 months ago by spooner
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great book
This has always been one of my favorites, so I had one sent to my granddaughter. She was delighted, and will read it again and again--just like her Grandma.
Published 2 months ago by pbelles
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful story!
This was my mother's favorite book as a child. I read it because she loved it so much. The nature descriptions are detailed; the characters are ones I would like to meet. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Marilyn Epelbaum
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another good book
Another one of Gene Stratton Porter's books full of life and learning. It is full of lessons of life and entertaining events.
Published 3 months ago by BEfree21
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