Mère Giraud's Little Daughter E-Book

Frances Hodgson Burnett

• Herausgeber: Booksell-Verlag
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2020

Beschreibung

In "Mère Giraud's Little Daughter," Frances Hodgson Burnett weaves a poignant tale set in the lush landscapes of France, exploring themes of love, loss, and the enduring bonds between mothers and daughters. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of a young girl, whose perspective brings a unique blend of innocence and insight to the complex emotional tapestry of familial relationships. Burnett's lyrical prose, rich with evocative imagery and an intimate connection to the characters, transcends the typical conventions of children's literature while remaining accessible to younger readers. The story resonates with her trademark exploration of resilience and the transformative power of kindness, situated within the broader context of late 19th-century Victorian sensibilities. Frances Hodgson Burnett, an acclaimed British-American author, is best known for her beloved children's classics such as "The Secret Garden" and "Little Lord Fauntleroy." Her experiences of traveling through Europe and witnessing social disparities informed her writings, leading her to create narratives that emphasize compassion and the healing qualities of nature and love. Burnett's own childhood experiences, marked by a strong maternal influence and eventual loss, serve as a backdrop to the emotional undertones found within this story. I highly recommend "Mère Giraud's Little Daughter" to readers who appreciate rich character development and the deep emotional resonance in literary works. This book not only enchants with its charming narrative but also provokes reflection on the nuances of motherhood and the profound impact of nurturing relationships. It is a delightful addition to both children's and adult literature collections, inviting readers to rediscover the essential bonds that shape our lives. In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience: - A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes. - The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists. - A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing. - An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text. - A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings. - Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life. - Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance. - Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

Leseprobe

Frances Hodgson Burnett

Mère Giraud's Little Daughter

Published by Good Press, 2020

[email protected]

EAN 4064066105563

Table of Contents

Cover

Titlepage

Text

"

"Prut!" said Annot, her sabots clattering loudly on the brick floor as she moved more rapidly in her wrath. "Prut! Madame Giraud, indeed! There was a time, and it was but two years ago, that she was but plain Mere Giraud, and no better than the rest of us; and it seems to me, neighbors, that it is not well to show pride because one has the luck to be favored by fortune. Where, forsooth, would our 'Madame' Giraud stand if luck had not given her a daughter pretty enough to win a rich husband?"

"True, indeed!" echoed two of the gossips who were her admiring listeners. "True, beyond doubt. Where, indeed?"

But the third, a comely, fresh-skinned matron, who leaned against the door, and knitted a stout gray stocking with fast-clashing needles, did not acquiesce so readily.

"Well, well, neighbors," she said, "for my part, I do not see so much to complain of. Mère Giraud—she is still Mère Giraud to me—is as honest and kindly a soul as ever. It is not she who has called herself Madame Giraud; it is others who are foolish enough to fancy that good luck must change one's old ways. If she had had the wish to be a grand personage, would she not have left our village before this and have joined Madame Legrand in Paris. On the contrary, however, she remains in her cottage, and is as good a neighbor as ever, even though she is fond of talking of the carriages and jewels of Madame Legrand and her establishment on the Boulevard Malesherbes. In fact, I ask you, who of us would not rejoice also to be the mother of a daughter whose fortune had been so good?"

"That also is true," commented the amiable couple, nodding their white-capped heads with a sagacious air. "True, without doubt."

But Annot replied with a contemptuous shrug of her shoulders:—

"Wait until Madame Giraud is invited to visit the Boulevard Malesherbes," she said. "We have not heard that this has happened yet."

"She would' not go if she were, at least not to remain. Her heart has grown to the old place she bore her children in, and she has herself said to me most sensibly: 'Laure is young, and will learn easily the ways of the great world; I am old, and cannot; I am better at home among my neighbors.' Doubtless, however, In course of time she will pay Madame Legrand a visit at her home in Paris, or at the château which Monsieur Legrand of course possesses, as the rich and aristocratic always do."

"Doubtless!" said Annot, grimly; "doubtless."

Honest Jeanne Tallot passed the sneer by, and went on with stout gravity of demeanor:—

"There is only one thing for which I somewhat blamed Mère Giraud, and that is that I think she has scarcely done her duty toward Valentin. He disappointed her by being an ugly lad instead of a pretty girl, and she had not patience with him. Laure was the favorite. Whatever Laure did was right, and it was not so with the other, though I myself know that Valentin was a good lad, and tender-hearted."

"Once," put in a white cap, "I saw her beat him severely because he fell with the little girl in his arms and scratched her cheek, and it was not his fault. His foot slipped upon a stone. He was carrying the child carefully and tenderly enough. You are right in calling him a good lad, neighbor Tallot. He was a good lad—Valentin Giraud—and fond of his mother, notwithstanding that she was not fond of him."