“It is evidently written in very good faith, but it strike us as a very ill-chosen sort of entertainment to set before children. It is unfortunate not only in its details, but in its general tone, in the constant ring of the style. The smart satirical tone is the last one in the world to be used in describing to children their elders and betters and the social mysteries that surrond them.” - Henry James in the Nation
“There are the same vigor, discrimination, character-portraiture, and racy dialogue that characterize all her writings. It is no mean artist who can group with consummate skill a score or more of prominent figures, and still bring his hero or herone into bold relief, at the same time preserving the distinct individuality of every leading character.” - Anonymous in the Overland Monthly
We open with a preface, in which LMA is once again self-deprecating: The Author is quite aware of the defects of this little story, many of which were unavoidable, as it first appeared serially. But, as Uncle Alec's experiment was intended to amuse the young folks, rather than suggest educational improvements for the consideration of the elders, she trusts that these shortcomings will be overlooked by the friends of the Eight Cousins, and she will try to make amends in a second volume, which shall attempt to show The Rose in Bloom.
Two Girls
Rose Campbell, a recently orphaned girl living with her great-aunts, Peace and Plenty, hears a mocking-bird. Except it isn't a bird – it's Phebe the maid. The two girls talk, providing some exposition. Rose has seven boy cousins and is scared of meeting them. Phebe was left at the poor-house as a baby (she's 15 now).
They jump at a loud noise, and Debby, the housekeeper, sends Rose to the parlor.
( Read more... )
“There are the same vigor, discrimination, character-portraiture, and racy dialogue that characterize all her writings. It is no mean artist who can group with consummate skill a score or more of prominent figures, and still bring his hero or herone into bold relief, at the same time preserving the distinct individuality of every leading character.” - Anonymous in the Overland Monthly
We open with a preface, in which LMA is once again self-deprecating: The Author is quite aware of the defects of this little story, many of which were unavoidable, as it first appeared serially. But, as Uncle Alec's experiment was intended to amuse the young folks, rather than suggest educational improvements for the consideration of the elders, she trusts that these shortcomings will be overlooked by the friends of the Eight Cousins, and she will try to make amends in a second volume, which shall attempt to show The Rose in Bloom.
Two Girls
Rose Campbell, a recently orphaned girl living with her great-aunts, Peace and Plenty, hears a mocking-bird. Except it isn't a bird – it's Phebe the maid. The two girls talk, providing some exposition. Rose has seven boy cousins and is scared of meeting them. Phebe was left at the poor-house as a baby (she's 15 now).
They jump at a loud noise, and Debby, the housekeeper, sends Rose to the parlor.
( Read more... )
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