tabithar's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Published in 1917, the book is clearly an outcome of its political climate. Morley presents to us a woman who is tired of being the caregiver for her bachelor brother who expects her to basically cook, clean, and do farm chores while he travels and writes. She feels unappreciated and when an alternate opportunity presents itself, cites that she wants an adventure and dumps her entire life savings into something that seems like an incredibly risky venture. When her brother tries to rescue her from it, she rebels all the more as she feels the trap she was in is not one she's willing to reenter. My biggest struggle is with "her" idea of freedom: I think at the least this book would make for a good bookclub discussion and would be good to contrast with a book of the same time frame written by a female who was also feminist. There is apparently a followup novel and I'm curious to see where the author went with it.
Spoiler
freedom to choose who she serves, freedom to choose to serve a random travelling bookseller who at least in this text appreciates her skills as a cook and her intelligence. At once I feel torn as the same person purporting to appreciate her intelligence seems intent on what appears to be taking advantage of someone who is discontent. At the same time, I realize this was a book written by a man who appears to be trying to help feminists of his day. These women wanted respect but not necessarily to have to provide completely for themselves. They wanted others to appreciate their intelligence AND the skills they had that were stereotypically female.julkatt's review against another edition
5.0
this sweet little novella had me right out of the gate (or farmhouse). engaging, witty, quick, inspiring, and fun. i smiled the whole way through. was tickled to see that the author hailed from Haverford, PA (neighbor!) and shamed that i'd not heard of him before (Parnassus was written in 1915). will definitely look to get my hands on The Haunted Bookshop and other of his works.
mrssehardy's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mrsjdoc's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
dana_reads_books's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
chantedsnicker's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
ecooley115's review against another edition
4.0
Heartwarming
This was a sweet little novella about a woman who's tired of the farm life and wants an adventure. She finds far more than adventure when she buys a traveling bookstore.
This was a sweet little novella about a woman who's tired of the farm life and wants an adventure. She finds far more than adventure when she buys a traveling bookstore.
judyward's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up this book in a used book shop while on vacation recently. First published in 1917, this wonderful book is a hymn to the importance of books and reading in our lives. It features a Parnassus--a wagon filled with books, a horse, Peg, to pull it, and two middle-aged strangers who fall in love while talking about books. A easy, comfortable read.