Robin (Dodo Press) [Paperback]

Frances Hodgson Burnett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 24, 2007

Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924) was an English- American playwright and author. She was best known for her children's stories, in particular The Secret Garden (1911) and Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886). Her first story was published in Godey's Lady's Book in 1868. Her main writing talent was combining realistic detail of workingclass life with a romantic plot. Her first novel was published in 1877; That Lass o' Lowrie's was a story of Lancashire life. After moving to Washington, D.C., Burnett wrote the novels Haworth's (1879), Louisiana (1880), A Fair Barbarian (1881), and Through One Administration (1883), as well as a play, Esmeralda (1881), written with William Gillette. Her later works include Sara Crewe, or, What Happened at Miss Minchin's (1888) - later rewritten as A Little Princess (1905); and A Lady of Quality (1896) - considered one of the best of her plays. The Lost Prince was published in 1915, and The Head of the House of Coombe was published in Canada in 1922. During World War I, Burnett put her beliefs about what happens after death into writing with her novella The White People (1917).

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Frances Hodgson Burnett is best known for her children's stories The Secret Garden, A Little Princess, and Little Lord Fauntleroy. Born into the slums of Manchester, she wrote realistic working-class tales with romantic plots. Later in life, she lived in Washington, D.C. and became a US citizen. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Dodo Press (August 24, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1406553492
• ISBN-13: 978-1406553499
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,824,226 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Romance, Loss and Spiritualism., April 4, 2009

By 

Zou Zou (cape cod,ma) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Robin (Kindle Edition)

This is an interesting novel about a young girl, Robin, her romance with Donal and his loss during World War One. The book was published in 1922.
Robin is the neglected daughter of a beautiful but shallow widow. Her mother's protector, Lord Coombe, provides for a more caring living arrangement and Robin rarely sees her notorious mother, "the Lady downstairs".
Robin becomes the companion/secretary to a kind Duchess. She meets handsome soldier Donal, a former childhood companion, and they renew their friendship. Donal recognises Robin as his soulmate, they fall in love and are secretly married. Cruelly, young Donal is reported as dying in battle. Lord Coombe, the Duchess, and Robin's childhood nurse, Dowie, all work to save Robin from her overwhelming grief and despair.
This war romance has selfish mothers, gossiping neighbors, secret marriages, tragic deaths and a secluded pregnancy. What it doesn't have is a three dimensional hero and heroine.
Robin is childlike, utterly malleable, quietly loving and accepting. Donal is tall and brave and true. The Author tells the reader about Robin and Donal, there is very little dialogue or conversation that gives insight into the young lovers. They are the saintly casualties of a cruel war.
We learn more about Lord Coombe, loyal Dowie and the terrible death and destruction that result from World War One. The Author effectively creates the character's feelings of pride and resolve that gradually slide into despair and hopelessness at the loss of so many young soldiers.
The Author also mounts an explanation and defense of Spiritualism. Spiritualism eventually becomes as large a feature in the romance as Robin and Donal's courtship, and is integral to Robin's recovery from despair.
Not as entertaining as The Making of a Marchioness, but not bad.
Recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars Caution: First read: The Head Of The House Of Coombe, June 7, 2011

By 

NELSON C HARBOR (Chesterfield, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Robin (Penny Books) (Kindle Edition)

'Robin' is a the conclusion of the story told, but only begun, in The Head Of The House Of Coombe. Read in the proper sequence, from beginning to end, this is a totally unique, engrossing tale. Be prepared for being taken on an emotional roller coaster ride reaching new plateaus of joy and anguish. Having now read several of her books, Francis Hodgson Burnett has fast become a favorite author of mine. You will not be disappointed in the story, but remember, start with The Head Of The House Of Coombe.

1.0 out of 5 stars Large Print and only One Volume of Two, April 26, 2010

By 

Merlin (New York) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Robin (Hardcover)

"Robin", by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a lovely slightly gothic romance with many of the bells and whistles that the author is known for: dreams, miracles, other-wordly stuff that we are so familiar with in "Secret Garden". However, I DO NOT recommend this paperback edition. It's over-priced and it's only the first of two volumes. Save your money. Buy "Robin" second hand or take it out of your library. Unless you need to read jumbo print, this is a silly investment for a paperback.