Butterflies, Love, and Growing Up

I enjoyed this book -- it made me cry and later smile, following the ups and downs of the mother-daughter relationship, the quest for knowledge, the love story. It was satisfying, as well, in the way each was resolved.

Nearly all the characters are well done, seeming real rather than flat. Some, admittedly, aren't developed as well as others. There is at least one who is extremely shallow, though this is really an intentional part of her personality.

The style overall is warm, with lovely descriptions and great attention to detail where appropriate. This shows particularly in the repeated use of butterflies and butterfly imagery, and their involvement as both the beauty of nature and a means to an end.

It's also worth noting that there is a strong theme throughout the book of self-reliance and adherence to one's principles and duties.

In some ways, _Girl of the Limberlost_ similar to both _Anne of Green Gables_ and _Jane Eyre_. These sound like an odd combination, I realize, but all three books are about a girl growing up. The general feel is more similar to _Anne of Green Gables_ -- there is sorrow, but it's more warmly lighthearted overall than _Jane Eyre_. On the other hand, like _Jane Eyre_, this book presents a heroine who is faced with very difficult decisions and sticks to her beliefs, morals, and sense of justice even though she must make the harder choice.

Note: _Girl of the Limberlost_ is not hard to read at all but may be of limited interest before readers are old enough to be thinking about growing up and what they'll want to do, learn and love, etc. Adults will, I think, enjoy it as well.