Michael O'Halloran [Paperback]

Gene Stratton Porter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 26, 2007

Michael O'Halloran (1915) by Gene Stratton Porter is the story of a streetwise but sterling-honest orphan boy who rescues and bonds with Peaches, a crippled orphan girl.

Their struggles, triumphs and friendships in a tough inner city at the turn of the past century form an uplifting tale of hope, love and family.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Originally published in the early 1900s, this volume tells the story of the title character, a plucky orphan growing up in a Midwestern metropolis. O'Halloran's existence is dismal until he meets another orphaned child, and together they try to make a life for themselves. A little hokey, but stick with it.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Gene Stratton-Porter (1863--1924) was born on a farm in Indiana. She later lived in a cabin adjoining the Limberlost Swamp, immortalized in her best-selling A Girl of the Limberlost. In 1923 she moved to California for her health, but was killed in an automobile accident in 1924. Other Stratton-Porter novels reissued by Indiana University Press include Freckles, Laddie, The Harvester, and The Keeper of the Bees.

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

Product Details

• Paperback: 396 pages
• Publisher: Norilana Books (January 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193416951X
• ISBN-13: 978-1934169513
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,044,487 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A charming fable of American life in the 'teens, January 19, 2000

By 

Mike Halloran (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Michael O'Halloran (Library of Indiana Classics) (Paperback)

Because of my name, many have asked me over the years if I was familiar with Gene Stratton-Porter's book, "Michael O'Halloran". As a boy, I was given a copy containing the pen and ink drawings and stills from the "photoplay" and have treasured it since (I do not know if modern editions contain either set of illustrations). Re-reading it as an adult, I am still charmed by this tale of an orphaned newspaper seller who asks nothing of the world except to "be square". It is easy to overlook major holes in the plot (for example, we never do know what is wrong with Peaches other than she is sick and can't walk), when we are presented with such a vivid description of American life in 1914 - even if some of the city scenes don't quite ring true. Though the characters suffer many hardships, the overall tone is so upbeat that it's easy to see why this book outsold "Pollyanna" in 1916. Stratton-Porter's skill as a naturalist make the country scenes especially vibrant. Her ear for dialog is unsurpassed showing the reader that, if life in America wasn't like this, it should have been. Having read this book, I am ready to believe that children and adults did speak this nicely to each other once upon a time. You, too, will wonder if the world wouldn't be a lot better off if everyone could just "be square".

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A charming fable of life in the 'teens, January 19, 2000

By 

Mike Halloran (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Michael O'Halloran (Library of Indiana Classics) (Paperback)

Because of my name, many have asked me over the years if I was familiar with Gene Stratton-Porter's book, "Michael O'Halloran". As a boy, I was given a copy containing photo stills from the movie and have treasured it since. Re-reading it as an adult, I am still charmed by this tale of a young newspaper seller who asks the world to "be square". It is easy to overlook major holes in the plot (for example, we never do know what is wrong with Peaches other than she is sick and can't walk) when we are presented with such a vivid description of American life in 1914 - even if some of the city scenes don't quite ring true. Through many hardships, the tone is so upbeat that it's easy to see why this book outsold "Pollyanna" in 1916. Stratton-Porter's skill as a naturalist make the country scenes especially vibrant. Her ear for dialog is unsurpassed showing the reader that, if life in America wasn't like this, it should have been. Having read this book, I am ready to believe that children and adults did speak this nicely to each other once upon a time. You, too, will wonder if the world wouldn't be a lot better off if everyone could just "be square".

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Today's youth should be like Michael!, August 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Michael O'Halloran (Library of Indiana Classics) (Paperback)

I loved this story! I read it first when I was 17 or so and had already read many of the author's works. Michael has such an appreciation for life, and his "squareness" and determination to keep his family together in the face of poverty, illness, and wellmeaning interference really brings home how important family is. This story contrasts city life and country life--and makes you long for the country! The fresh, homegrown food, the clean breezes, the room to stretch and grow, the creeks with gravelly bottoms and nibbling minnows! This book will appeal to anyone who yearns for the simple life.