A Girl of the Limberlost, written by Gene Stratton-Porter, was received by us as a gift from the authoress of which we are proud to speak, and more so to have it in our collection of books. We have nearly read it through so far it has completely captured our interest. It is a book that we shall always greatly prize. It is a well laid out plot, well carried out, instructive in the character study and has much natural history. It consists of 23 chapters, and 485 pages printed on good size type and easy to read. It also takes you back to Freckles the second book of Gene Stratton-Porter editions. It consists of thirteen characters and old “saying,” thirteen is unlucky is proven quite otherwise for so good a book as this one proves it.
We would that all girls of the Limberlost had the same qualities that Elnora, the Girl of the Limberlost, was in possession of and that mothers would prove themselves of such pure and enabling principles as Mrs. Comstock proved herself to be. “Billy” a boy from reality will bring the tears and also make you smile. The good “Mr. Sinton” and his much loved wife that adopts “Billy.” “Phillip Ammon,” the invalid from Chicago is an interesting character to the reader as to Elnora and her mother, also. It is illustrated by four full page drawings, and published by Doubleday, Page and Company. We have read the book almost through and can give it our highest praise. We believe it the best book of the books from the pen of the authoress.
Editor’s Note: This is one of the earliest book reviews on A Girl of the Limberlost. Gene received copies early but it was released on 17 Aug 1909 on her birthday. The nature written about in the book is from the Limberlost Swamp around Geneva. It is believed this article was written by C. O. Rayn who ran the newspaper.
Source: Geneva Herald, 19 Aug 1909, p. 1