Ludmila a story of Liechtenstein. [Hardcover]

Paul Gallico (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1960

signed byludmila von falz-fein

Product Details

• Hardcover: 53 pages
• Publisher: Quick; 1St Edition edition (1960)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000Q5R6Q0
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,241,655 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > Travel > Europe > Liechtenstein

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THE STRENGTH OF THE WEAKLING, June 21, 2007

By 

Plume45 "kitka12345" (Westchester, NY) - See all my reviews

This gentle, sentimental tale offers the possibility of an animal's ability to pray. What, that dumb beats of burden are endowed with spiritual grace and can actually recognize the need for intercessory prayer? It seems ludicrous that a mere cow could deliberately stop and place an unspoken request at the shrine of Ludmila, patroness of herders and dairymaids. Set in Switzerland in an age when faith in miracles must compete with modern, scientific notions LUDMILA attempts to explain the presence of a sun-scorched cow skull at the foot of the saint in her mountain niche.

Fanciful stuff for contemporary generations, nevertheless this book provides pleasant reading for those who are of fond of animals and who realize that Heaven hears all petitioners--not just those who can put their request in human language. On one hand we have Father Polda with his simple faith in miracles, declaring his conviction that the mute appeal of a lowly, scorned cow was definitively answered: to win the coveted prize of Best Milker for her poor owner at the annual end-of-summer milking contest. While on the other hand: Alois, the cynical chief herder, who understands all there is to know about the dairyman's art, yet remains woefully ignorant of the role of the heart--in Animals--and of faith in human beings. Is the "miracle" merely the result of eating special plants in a secret meadow? Even his own little daughter supports the side of Divinity in this Alpine debate.

This short book, which can be read in one sitting, offers refreshing respite from the down-to-earth reality of animal husbandry. It uplifts the child-like spirit that is still granted to people with pure souls. No matter how the miracle occurred--in this story or in the Swiss legend--all miracles are the direct result of divine intervention. A quiet charmer of a read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Sentence Distills This Adult & Children's Masterpiece, March 16, 2006

By 

Katherine Graham "Katherine Graham" (Sparta, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Paraphrasing: When evil hasn't the strength to go beyond it own radius, the Divine love of God in one child's soul, or the silent prayer of a sincere, pure heart has the power to alter the stars in their courses.