The Harvester (Library of Indiana Classics) [Paperback]

Gene Stratton-Porter (Author)

Book Description

Series: Library of Indiana Classics | Publication Date: August 22, 1987

Gene Stratton-Porter returns us to her beloved Midwestern woodlands with a hero modeled after Henry David Thoreau. He and his "wonderful, alluring" Ruth ultimately find idyllic bliss in the pure, unspoiled woods, but not before her mysterious past is revealed and resolved.

Editorial Reviews

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (August 22, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253204577
• ISBN-13: 978-0253204578
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #674,471 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A hermit & herbalist who searches and finds his true love, February 22, 1999

By 

[e-mail] or Su Linn (Duvall, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Harvester (Library of Indiana Classics) (Paperback)

This romance novel in my mother's girlhood collection was the first novel I ever read. The Harvester, a hermit who lives alone and supports himself by growing, harvesting and drying medicinal herbs, has vision of a wonderful woman. He sets out in search of her among the city streets by knocking on doors and selling flowers. He finds his girl, but she is traumatized and ill. The Harvester builds a home for her and establishes a relationship only to have her become so ill she almost dies. How he wins both her life and love make this story one you will never forget! If only Hollywood knew, we could have an academy award if this were ever made into a movie - it's a treasure!

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Midwest Book Review - this one deserves 100 stars, March 16, 2004

By 

Laurel Johnson (Kansas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Harvester (Library of Indiana Classics) (Paperback)

If there is a more beautiful story anywhere than The Harvester, I have yet to find it. This early 20th century classic is as fresh and meaningful today as it was close to a century ago. It speaks of life lived purely and respectfully, of the truest form of love any mortal ever knew, and describes our beautiful America before greed and carelessness trashed her splendor.

David Langston is the Harvester, the Medicine Man. At age 26 he lives a solitary life with only his dog and horse to keep him company. He cultivates and harvests medicinal herbs and flowers on an acreage he has carefully developed. Here, in nature's pristine beauty and a world of thriving birds and wildlife, David dreams of someday finding a woman who will love him truly and passionately. He sees his Dream Girl in a vision and sets out with his typical persistence to find her. So certain is he that this lovely vision will become reality, he adds onto his small home and creates furniture lovingly by hand to meet her every comfort.

Ruth Jameson is ill in body, mind and spirit, a thin pale wraith of a girl. But to David Langston she is beauty personified. Her past has all but killed her, but David has no doubts. He loves her and will sacrifice anything and everything to win her. But first she must be made whole through pure food and nature's medicine, both laced generously with a decent man's devotion. He marries the girl to save her from cruelty and squallor, and promises to put male desire on hold until she can come to him freely. In his heart of hearts, he knows there is a chance she will never love him but he's willing to face that heartbreak if only she can be well again.

I've been reading The Harvester at intervals since I was 12 years old. But this is not a story for children. It has adult themes and dialog. The purity of prose and wonderful descriptions of America, the information about natural healing, and a love story that is unsurpassed make this book an amazing read today - as it was when first written. I give this book my most entusiastic recommendation.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do you believe in magic and true love? Read this book., August 5, 1998

By 

Christina L. Sarlo - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Harvester (Library of Indiana Classics) (Paperback)

This is an old-fashioned tale of true love, purity, hard work and regeneration through oneness with nature. It's a beautiful story which I read every time I get stuck in bed sick. I give it to friends who get sick. Just reading it is healing. I hope you enjoy it.