A Girl of the Limberlost :: Reading to Know Book Club

Stephanie from Simple Things is hosting the discussion for this month's book club. She chose A Girl of the Limberlost, by Gene Stratton-Porter. If you participated in this month's book club read and wrote up a post sharing your thoughts of this work, please leave a comment in the comment section below. Please including the direct link to your blog post. (If you don't have a blog but read along, please feel free to discuss the book with us in the comment section.)


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I’m curious to know who made it to the end of A Girl of the Limberlost? Did you enjoy it? I’ll be honest – it wasn’t what I expected, but I did enjoy it and was glad I saw it through the end.

The book begins with us learning about the plight of Elinora Comstock, a young girl, seemingly unloved by her mother, who against all odds, is trying to gain an education and provide for herself and her future. In this respect, the book reminded me of many of L.M. Montgomery’s short story heroines who struggled to make their way in spite of insurmountable odds. A favorite quote about this in book was:

What you are lies with you. If you are lazy, and accept your lot, you may live in it. If you are willing to work, you can write your name anywhere you choose, among the only ones who live past the grave in this world – the people who write books that help, make exquisite music, carve statues, paint pictures, and work for others.

However, that isn’t what I took away from the book. I enjoyed it for the author’s outlook on nature and how it was so much a part of Elinora’s life. She marveled in the hand of the Creator, studying the flora, fauna, and wildlife around her with a great appreciation for the variety and intricacies she found. Because of her study of nature, she was able to use that as a way to earn money to provide for herself and continue her education, and eventually share that love of nature with others. This is the kind of lifestyle of learning I want to pass on to my children! Exploring the world around us and seeing how God has so orchestrated the details of every living thing. That thread, woven throughout the book, was inspiring to me.

Ain’t it queer that she’d take to stones, bugs, and butterflies, and save them. Now they are going to bring her the very thing she wants the worst. Lord, but this is a funny world when you get to studying! Looks like things didn’t all come by accident. Looks as if there was a plan back of it, and somebody driving that knows the road, and how to handle the lines.

I am looking forward to hearing what others thought of this book (and whether you made it through it!) Thank you, Carrie, for allowing me the privilege of hosting a month of your book club and prompting me to check this one off my to-be-read list

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(I have to throw the thanks back at you, Stephanie! You got me to - finally - read it which allowed me to cross it off my list as well. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!)

July's book club selection:

The title of your choosing from The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. Next month's book club will be held in conjunction with the Chronicles of Narnia Reading Challenge. Further up and further in!