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The Basket of Flowers: A Tale for the Young
James, the king's gardener, teaches his fifteen-year-old daughter Mary all the principles of godliness through his flowers. She is falsely accused of stealing, and the penalty is death. Mary remembers her father had taught her: that it is better to die for the truth than to live for a lie, and that the worst pillow to sleep on is the pillow of a guilty conscience.
168 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1823
About the author
Christoph von Schmid
333 books29 followersDon't confuse with Johann Christoph von Schmid (1756-1827).
Johann Nepomuk Christoph Friedrich von Schmid was a writer of children's stories, educator, and Roman Catholic priest. His stories were very popular and translated into many languages. His best-known work in the English-speaking world is The Basket of Flowers (Das Blumenkörbchen).
Johann Nepomuk Christoph Friedrich von Schmid was a writer of children's stories, educator, and Roman Catholic priest. His stories were very popular and translated into many languages. His best-known work in the English-speaking world is The Basket of Flowers (Das Blumenkörbchen).
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 162 reviews
December 8, 2021
priceless
August 29, 2011
Mary and her father live in a little cottage on the property of The Count of Eichbourg where Mary's father is a gardner. Mary's father maintains a beautiful garden for the Count. He has taught Mary his skills. When Mary is quite young her mother passes away. Mary's father teaches her about her Father in heaven every day of her life. Every instance in life is a teachable moment from the Scriptures. He has raised Mary to be a very honest and upright woman who loves the Lord and loves and serves her father well.
One day while Mary is out gathering Lily of the Valley's to brighten up their home the Counts daughter and wife come by. Feeling a desire to brighten their day Mary gives them the flowers she has gathered. There begins a friendship between Mary and the young Countess Amelia. When Mary presents Amelia with a lovely basket of flowers for her birthday Amelia gives Mary a lovely dress in return. With the gift Mary's father is concerned that Mary will become discontent and seek treasures of the world if she is not careful of her heart. He feels that the dress will bring his daughter trouble. He is soon proved correct.
Shortly after Mary returns home with the dress a ring is found to be missing from the Countesses bedroom. Mary is the only one that was in the rooms so it is assumed that she is the thief. She is carried off to jail in disgrace. With the testimony of a maid condemning her Mary and her father are soon banished from the village. All the while Mary has told the truth, even when threatened with death, that she did not steal the ring.
Throughout her time in jail and after being banished Mary and her father never falter in their faith in the Lord. There is no bitterness in them. They know that they are in the Lord's hands. Mary's father continues to teach her lessons of life through readings of Scripture. These lessons help to form Mary as a young girl and into womanhood, through trials and tribulations and through triumphs she never waivers in her faith.
Originally written in the 1700's The Basket of Flowers has been translated from German. I really enjoyed this tale of disgrace and triumph. Mary's father lived out the scripture, speaking of God's commands, "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deut. 6: 6-9
What a blessing our children would have today if we were as faithful as Mary's father and taught our children God's truths from the time they are born!
One day while Mary is out gathering Lily of the Valley's to brighten up their home the Counts daughter and wife come by. Feeling a desire to brighten their day Mary gives them the flowers she has gathered. There begins a friendship between Mary and the young Countess Amelia. When Mary presents Amelia with a lovely basket of flowers for her birthday Amelia gives Mary a lovely dress in return. With the gift Mary's father is concerned that Mary will become discontent and seek treasures of the world if she is not careful of her heart. He feels that the dress will bring his daughter trouble. He is soon proved correct.
Shortly after Mary returns home with the dress a ring is found to be missing from the Countesses bedroom. Mary is the only one that was in the rooms so it is assumed that she is the thief. She is carried off to jail in disgrace. With the testimony of a maid condemning her Mary and her father are soon banished from the village. All the while Mary has told the truth, even when threatened with death, that she did not steal the ring.
Throughout her time in jail and after being banished Mary and her father never falter in their faith in the Lord. There is no bitterness in them. They know that they are in the Lord's hands. Mary's father continues to teach her lessons of life through readings of Scripture. These lessons help to form Mary as a young girl and into womanhood, through trials and tribulations and through triumphs she never waivers in her faith.
Originally written in the 1700's The Basket of Flowers has been translated from German. I really enjoyed this tale of disgrace and triumph. Mary's father lived out the scripture, speaking of God's commands, "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deut. 6: 6-9
What a blessing our children would have today if we were as faithful as Mary's father and taught our children God's truths from the time they are born!
October 5, 2020
A Sweet old-fashioned story and the dramatized version was really good.
January 10, 2017
I've been meaning to read this for a while, so I'm glad I finally got around to it. It has a good Christian message. I wouldn't say it was my utmost favourite, but it was still good. :)
July 18, 2016
We did this one as a family read aloud. It was written over 300 years ago, so the language can be tricky, but it's a lovely tale for tween girls. Todd even liked it. It speaks of staying true to ones faith, even in adversity and has quite a mystery near the end. It's part of lamplighters publishing rare collection...and all of the have been hits so far at our house.
August 11, 2009
Words that came to mind over the course of reading this book: moralistic, cliche, insipid, trite, pietistic, one-dimensional, cloying, tame, preachy, hilarious, illogical, and repetitive.
But definitely memorable.
But definitely memorable.
July 11, 2016
Anything we have listened to/read from Christoph von Schmid has been excellent. We listened to this audio from Lamplighter theatre about a year ago and we are looking forward to reading the book.
Listened to the audio again. Love it! Ellie loves this one..krb 7/11/16
Listened to the audio again. Love it! Ellie loves this one..krb 7/11/16
July 4, 2013
I absolutely loved this book. A great story of forgiveness and it's healing power.
December 20, 2014
I remember reading this book a long time ago and recommending it to my best friend at the time as a young girl.
June 25, 2010
It was an okay, if didactic and unsubtle read. Written in the height of Victorian sensibilities and republished by Lamplighters, as a story of lessons for the young. The bulk of the book is not narrative, but mini-sermonettes by the protagonist's father. It very much struggled to keep my attention, and I only succeeded in finishing it by skimming. Despite the fact that some dramatic and interesting things take place, and despite the occasional moment when the book actually was able to soar close to captivating, it always pulled back.
Some of the lessons were good, but they take place in a Victorian world that tamed the gospel and removed its fangs. Thus, there was a subtle undertone of gnosticism, stoicism, religious conversionism, and sentimental pietism. God kills this man's children and wife in order to keep him from becoming "too attached to the things of earth. Afflictions are sent to remind them that this world is not their rest - to wean their affections from earth, and fix them securely above," (p. 9). Where is New Creation? This is straight-up, puffy-cloud heaven-mindedness that borders on evangelical gnosticism. Not a lesson I want my children learning.
Stoicism is not predestination. Yet, stoicism is what is in view in this book. When his wife dies, his grief was "softened by the resignation of the Gospel," (p. 9). Where are the Psalms in this? Where is the agony of the Psalms? We don't need screaming and carrying on, but we ought to have characters that express the range of the Scriptures. Even Job wondered why all his children died.
The structure of the story was a bit of a mess, and by any definition of "story" it actually fails to meet the criterion in multiple areas. It "tells" you how to feel and react, rather than showing you. The characters are so idealized one cannot sympathize with them at all, and the fact that the struggles are so sugar-coated only teaches children that perseverance is relatively easy.
Though there are some good themes, messages and sermonettes throughout (and plenty of bad ones as well), I would much rather have read it in an essay then have the thin pretense of a story scaffold to hang it on. And so I was disappointed with it, given that what story is actually there isn't bad at all, and could have been really good.
Some of the lessons were good, but they take place in a Victorian world that tamed the gospel and removed its fangs. Thus, there was a subtle undertone of gnosticism, stoicism, religious conversionism, and sentimental pietism. God kills this man's children and wife in order to keep him from becoming "too attached to the things of earth. Afflictions are sent to remind them that this world is not their rest - to wean their affections from earth, and fix them securely above," (p. 9). Where is New Creation? This is straight-up, puffy-cloud heaven-mindedness that borders on evangelical gnosticism. Not a lesson I want my children learning.
Stoicism is not predestination. Yet, stoicism is what is in view in this book. When his wife dies, his grief was "softened by the resignation of the Gospel," (p. 9). Where are the Psalms in this? Where is the agony of the Psalms? We don't need screaming and carrying on, but we ought to have characters that express the range of the Scriptures. Even Job wondered why all his children died.
The structure of the story was a bit of a mess, and by any definition of "story" it actually fails to meet the criterion in multiple areas. It "tells" you how to feel and react, rather than showing you. The characters are so idealized one cannot sympathize with them at all, and the fact that the struggles are so sugar-coated only teaches children that perseverance is relatively easy.
Though there are some good themes, messages and sermonettes throughout (and plenty of bad ones as well), I would much rather have read it in an essay then have the thin pretense of a story scaffold to hang it on. And so I was disappointed with it, given that what story is actually there isn't bad at all, and could have been really good.
September 8, 2015
Has excellent principles not just for children.
One time it seemed to really drag on as the father was speaking to his daughter, but generally has very good values.
It probably is an almost, soon to be totally forgotten work in this age that cares nothing for what is good and right. That wants nothing but it's lusts fulfilled.
The only fault I found is that if you expose your little one to this book, they will not receive the most important message of all. The message that Jesus Christ died on the cross out of His great love for them, and paid for all their sin. He rose from the grave the third day, and now invites all to receive that payment He made so they can be with Him for eternity.
Encourage you to listen with that Good News in mind!
One time it seemed to really drag on as the father was speaking to his daughter, but generally has very good values.
It probably is an almost, soon to be totally forgotten work in this age that cares nothing for what is good and right. That wants nothing but it's lusts fulfilled.
The only fault I found is that if you expose your little one to this book, they will not receive the most important message of all. The message that Jesus Christ died on the cross out of His great love for them, and paid for all their sin. He rose from the grave the third day, and now invites all to receive that payment He made so they can be with Him for eternity.
Encourage you to listen with that Good News in mind!
January 25, 2022
This book teaches young readers some Biblical virtues through the story of a Christian girl named Mary, who has been falsely accused. The author uses both his own narrative and Mary's father to impart wisdom and lessons on honesty, faith in God, modesty, perseverance amidst trials, productivity, honoring parents, forgiveness, and many others.
It did occur a few times throughout my reading that Mary might have come across a little too "perfect" to be human, though, which could make it a little difficult for readers to relate with her. As humans, we have all sinned; and God may teach us through His loving chastisement, and uses all things for His glory and our good.
It did occur a few times throughout my reading that Mary might have come across a little too "perfect" to be human, though, which could make it a little difficult for readers to relate with her. As humans, we have all sinned; and God may teach us through His loving chastisement, and uses all things for His glory and our good.
March 9, 2012
My mom read this book out loud to us when I was 13. Good read aloud.
James is the king's gardener and he deeply enjoys caring for and cultivating flowers. He teaches his daughter Mary many principles of godliness through the flowers. One day Mary is falsely accused of stealing, and the penalty is death. Through many trials and hardships, Mary learns of the goodness of God, the blessing of praying for her enemies, how to consider her trials as a joy, and true forgiveness.
I read this book for LibriVox and you'll find it cataloged here: http://librivox.org/basket-of-flowers... 3 hrs 1 min
James is the king's gardener and he deeply enjoys caring for and cultivating flowers. He teaches his daughter Mary many principles of godliness through the flowers. One day Mary is falsely accused of stealing, and the penalty is death. Through many trials and hardships, Mary learns of the goodness of God, the blessing of praying for her enemies, how to consider her trials as a joy, and true forgiveness.
I read this book for LibriVox and you'll find it cataloged here: http://librivox.org/basket-of-flowers... 3 hrs 1 min
June 8, 2009
This book was my favorite when I read it (I have had many successive favorites), but if I read it again now, it would probably leave a sour taste in my mouth. I think when authors write books like this, they are trying to inspire their readers, but when these perfect, long-suffering heroes and heroines never make a real mistake, or loose faith, what you have is not a real inspiration, but an impossible standard that many people spend their lives attempting to attain, or pretending they already have; when in reality, there is not a person alive who can actually meet those standards.
August 10, 2008
It's one of those books that is like almost too overly religious. The heroine in it is just too good that it makes the story unrealistic. I found it extremely annoying because she almost never suffered with being "a good christian" and when she did, she immediately asked for forgiveness, and I don't know how to explain it, I guess you would just have to read it to understand, but I wouldn't recommend reading it to anyone.
January 20, 2023
A sweet story so simple it is almost a fairy tale. Unfortunately the characters were quite flat and two dimensional. Further, the charm of this for me was spoiled by heavy handed moralizing at the end of each chapter.
June 3, 2011
Very sweet but longer than it needed to be. Quite often the author would interrupt the story and tell us how we should act when the same lesson had already been portrayed through the characters.
June 22, 2012
This was a good book, but not as good as others of its genre.
June 8, 2020
This is a wonderful book from one of my favorite publishers. Every one of the books that I have read from them is one that I have recommended to others. Each story is a reprint from some of the wonderful authors from days past. Each contains wonderful morals and gives a clear message of the path of righteousness. Yes this one is definitely a favorite of mine.
April 22, 2023
Picked up this book thinking it would be fairytale-esque but it turned out to be a 1800’s moral tale for children. But surprisingly the story was good and contained a lot of really complex and sound guidance (if you can look past the occasionally intense Puritan parts).
August 29, 2024
Genuinely one of the best ways to indoctrinate kids
On a real note, I remember this books grabbing my heart and searing me with the knowledge of injustice in a way no adult could.
On a real note, I remember this books grabbing my heart and searing me with the knowledge of injustice in a way no adult could.
November 19, 2018
First off, this book is extremely religious. Most of the entirety of the book – including the minimum of story present – leads up to some moral message about God (or with God added in as an aside). This might put some people off.
However, for those of you who are elated when they hear of religion – whether you’re religious yourself, or you’re in it for the laughs – this book review is for you.
Let me explain why someone would be “in it for the laughs.” See, this book is not good. It is far from good. It boasts a protagonist too good to be a human person, a father obsessed with sermonizing, and one of the most blatant attempts at teaching known to man. One would think that writing an essay would have been better, but this is for the children! More on that later.
I still haven’t said a thing about why someone might be around for a good tickling of the funny bone. A book being bad does not make it funny, on the contrary, it makes the book bad. That leads up to the question of where I find it funny.
Well, I find the humor in the way the book teaches, whilst adding in melodramatic reactions from cookie-cutter characters. I specifically love a point, very early on in the book, wherein a girl named Juliette grows instantly jealous over a dress – to a point where she wants to remove the eyes of the protagonist. Or, another good moment from the earlier section of the book, the consistent disbelief of Mary (the protagonists) innocence. I can’t imagine people being so incredibly inhuman.
It should be noted that this type of enjoyment is not for everyone. I would think the book “so-bad-it’s-good” if not for the comparative uneventful-ness of the book aside from these scenes. You’ll be left with more moldy roses than fresh ones.
Let us get back to the “For the Children” bit. The book was written to instruct children morally – the story is there to make a loose connection with the oft wandering mind of a child – and religiously. It has an unnatural bias against fancy clothing, assuming outright that having such a thing will corrupt your child into vanity. The book’s purpose is to indoctrinate children into that certain religion under name of Christianity, but that wouldn’t be so bad (although I disagree with this style of parenting), if not for the not-so-great morals (think of the clothing example above). I am not saying there aren’t any good moral teaching, but many in this book are unfortunately dated and wrong.
With that being said, one might think I am very against the book; in the least, one might think I was done ironically praising it. This is incorrect. I have one more praise to throw upon it. I think the book has good metaphors, which can be used outside of the religious context; I mean, if you’re a religious person you could find them good… but I don’t think so. Purity and modesty in a young woman is best, right?! Right?!
No, it really isn’t. Sure, you can be a pure and modest person, but that does not define the only correct way to be alive.
Moving on. Take this purity thing; specifically, how the book uses lilies as a metaphor for purity. You can do a lot with a metaphor saying a lily is purity. And, as the book says, it can help you “open your eyes to nature.” The book deems the opening of your eyes as a way to see God in all, but I say let us open them a bit further: make your own metaphors.
But once again, this praise is very subjective. Diamonds in the rough don’t make the rough good, do they? Both finding humor in the horribly absurd and finding worth in something that ordinarily crumbles like a dead flower, are not enough to recommend a book to anyone. There are bound to be books which have already cultivated a garden of beautiful flowers – none of which will crumble. Thus, I would give this book a personal score of 3/5 and a score of 2/5 for others.
As a side note, I guess it would be best to write that my opinion is not gospel and thus, if you disagree, there is nothing wrong with that. I am just sharing what I think. I might be overstepping my boundaries, but if you find any grammatical mistakes, can you tell me?
However, for those of you who are elated when they hear of religion – whether you’re religious yourself, or you’re in it for the laughs – this book review is for you.
Let me explain why someone would be “in it for the laughs.” See, this book is not good. It is far from good. It boasts a protagonist too good to be a human person, a father obsessed with sermonizing, and one of the most blatant attempts at teaching known to man. One would think that writing an essay would have been better, but this is for the children! More on that later.
I still haven’t said a thing about why someone might be around for a good tickling of the funny bone. A book being bad does not make it funny, on the contrary, it makes the book bad. That leads up to the question of where I find it funny.
Well, I find the humor in the way the book teaches, whilst adding in melodramatic reactions from cookie-cutter characters. I specifically love a point, very early on in the book, wherein a girl named Juliette grows instantly jealous over a dress – to a point where she wants to remove the eyes of the protagonist. Or, another good moment from the earlier section of the book, the consistent disbelief of Mary (the protagonists) innocence. I can’t imagine people being so incredibly inhuman.
It should be noted that this type of enjoyment is not for everyone. I would think the book “so-bad-it’s-good” if not for the comparative uneventful-ness of the book aside from these scenes. You’ll be left with more moldy roses than fresh ones.
Let us get back to the “For the Children” bit. The book was written to instruct children morally – the story is there to make a loose connection with the oft wandering mind of a child – and religiously. It has an unnatural bias against fancy clothing, assuming outright that having such a thing will corrupt your child into vanity. The book’s purpose is to indoctrinate children into that certain religion under name of Christianity, but that wouldn’t be so bad (although I disagree with this style of parenting), if not for the not-so-great morals (think of the clothing example above). I am not saying there aren’t any good moral teaching, but many in this book are unfortunately dated and wrong.
With that being said, one might think I am very against the book; in the least, one might think I was done ironically praising it. This is incorrect. I have one more praise to throw upon it. I think the book has good metaphors, which can be used outside of the religious context; I mean, if you’re a religious person you could find them good… but I don’t think so. Purity and modesty in a young woman is best, right?! Right?!
No, it really isn’t. Sure, you can be a pure and modest person, but that does not define the only correct way to be alive.
Moving on. Take this purity thing; specifically, how the book uses lilies as a metaphor for purity. You can do a lot with a metaphor saying a lily is purity. And, as the book says, it can help you “open your eyes to nature.” The book deems the opening of your eyes as a way to see God in all, but I say let us open them a bit further: make your own metaphors.
But once again, this praise is very subjective. Diamonds in the rough don’t make the rough good, do they? Both finding humor in the horribly absurd and finding worth in something that ordinarily crumbles like a dead flower, are not enough to recommend a book to anyone. There are bound to be books which have already cultivated a garden of beautiful flowers – none of which will crumble. Thus, I would give this book a personal score of 3/5 and a score of 2/5 for others.
As a side note, I guess it would be best to write that my opinion is not gospel and thus, if you disagree, there is nothing wrong with that. I am just sharing what I think. I might be overstepping my boundaries, but if you find any grammatical mistakes, can you tell me?
June 18, 2018
O carte extraordinară, cu un puternic mesaj pentru cititori.
„Toată mărirea omului este ca o floare a ierbii care îndată se trece; dar cuvântul Domnului rămâne în veci”.
„Toată mărirea omului este ca o floare a ierbii care îndată se trece; dar cuvântul Domnului rămâne în veci”.
April 29, 2018
Amelia a young girl, is the protagonist in Christoph von Schmid's book 'A Basket of Flowers'. She is taught about the values of Christianity by her father, James, who is the nobility's gardener. Living with modesty and humbleness, Amelia one day is accused of stealing Countess's ring and is banished from her village with her father. Kindness and sincerity are rewarded in the end, the moral of this plot as her innocence is proved. Jetta, a jealous maid who framed Amelia bears the consequences of her doings.
This book is meant for youth but when read aloud as a bedtime story for children would also be appropriate. I found the book overly religious. The book does not maintain a language with subtlety and would seem to be burdened with Freud's Superego going on an unending rant supported by a narrative. The heroine in it is just too good, making the story unrealistic. This book has tons of visual imagery related to nature as James teaches Amelia moral values describing the flowers, fruits, birds in the garden. For instance, "Amelia, my dear, let the sweet violet remind you of humility and silent freedom. See, it is dressed in modest colours and it prefers to bloom hidden among the leaves, filling the air with its fragrant perfume. In like manner, you too, Amelia must be hidden violet, despising all ostentation but desiring instead to do good in silence and joy, unseen by all." 'The Basket of Flowers' maybe a quick read but eventually became tiring midway.
This book is meant for youth but when read aloud as a bedtime story for children would also be appropriate. I found the book overly religious. The book does not maintain a language with subtlety and would seem to be burdened with Freud's Superego going on an unending rant supported by a narrative. The heroine in it is just too good, making the story unrealistic. This book has tons of visual imagery related to nature as James teaches Amelia moral values describing the flowers, fruits, birds in the garden. For instance, "Amelia, my dear, let the sweet violet remind you of humility and silent freedom. See, it is dressed in modest colours and it prefers to bloom hidden among the leaves, filling the air with its fragrant perfume. In like manner, you too, Amelia must be hidden violet, despising all ostentation but desiring instead to do good in silence and joy, unseen by all." 'The Basket of Flowers' maybe a quick read but eventually became tiring midway.
July 15, 2014
This is a simple story about a simple girl MARY.This is very touching story,but this contains the moral of life.Mary's father teaches her to be honest and to remember the ALMIGHTY in every circumstances.He compares every situation with some flower,this is written very beautifully. Some quotes-"May you, my dear
child, be like the violet, modest in your demeanour, careless of gaudy clothing, and seeking to do good without making any fuss about it"...."Take care, my dear Mary, that you fall not into this great evil. No costly
and beautiful garments so much adorn a young girl as modesty and good manners"...""Oh, my dear father," she said, "how this bouquet reminds me of the advice which you have given me. From
the midst of thorns, I plucked these rosebuds; and thus I know that joy will come to me from the very troubles
which now cause me pain. If I had attempted with my own hands to unfold the leaves of these rosebuds, they
would have perished; but God with a delicate finger had gradually unfolded their purple cups and shed over
them the sweet perfume of His breath. He can disperse the evils which surround me, and make them turn to
my good which seemed all evil. Let me then patiently wait His time. These flowers remind me of Him who
created them. I will remember Him as He remembers me."
child, be like the violet, modest in your demeanour, careless of gaudy clothing, and seeking to do good without making any fuss about it"...."Take care, my dear Mary, that you fall not into this great evil. No costly
and beautiful garments so much adorn a young girl as modesty and good manners"...""Oh, my dear father," she said, "how this bouquet reminds me of the advice which you have given me. From
the midst of thorns, I plucked these rosebuds; and thus I know that joy will come to me from the very troubles
which now cause me pain. If I had attempted with my own hands to unfold the leaves of these rosebuds, they
would have perished; but God with a delicate finger had gradually unfolded their purple cups and shed over
them the sweet perfume of His breath. He can disperse the evils which surround me, and make them turn to
my good which seemed all evil. Let me then patiently wait His time. These flowers remind me of Him who
created them. I will remember Him as He remembers me."
October 28, 2015
I've really enjoyed all the Christoph von Schmid books I've read so far and this one is probably a tie in with The White Dove. His stories are all very similar but they have a charm to them that works well. They are adventurous quick reads that I, personally, find hard to put down. Most can be read in 60-90 minutes though this is one of the larger ones.
I actually read this as a bookend to my devotion time which worked well since little sermonettes close out most of the chapters. A chapter or two each day had it read in about 7 days and didn't add much time to the morning. If you have a harder time with didactic stories, this may be an easier way to read them and get out of them what they intend.
It takes the first three chapters to get this one off the ground but from there it moves quickly. Mary finds herself in seemingly the worst of circumstances. Her father's care in raising his child has shown her to deal with these circumstances in manners that we should all strive for. Mary's adventure lasts a few years and through God's intervention she is cared for and sustained, much due to the prayers of others even when she is unaware.
If you enjoy any of the other von Schmid books, I can't imagine you wouldn't enjoy this one.
I actually read this as a bookend to my devotion time which worked well since little sermonettes close out most of the chapters. A chapter or two each day had it read in about 7 days and didn't add much time to the morning. If you have a harder time with didactic stories, this may be an easier way to read them and get out of them what they intend.
It takes the first three chapters to get this one off the ground but from there it moves quickly. Mary finds herself in seemingly the worst of circumstances. Her father's care in raising his child has shown her to deal with these circumstances in manners that we should all strive for. Mary's adventure lasts a few years and through God's intervention she is cared for and sustained, much due to the prayers of others even when she is unaware.
If you enjoy any of the other von Schmid books, I can't imagine you wouldn't enjoy this one.
November 5, 2009
Mary grows up sheltered and secure in a beautiful cottage with a loving father. She learns lessons about humility, purity and forgiveness under her father's watchful gaze. However, it doesn't last. Even though she loves God and obeys him this does not protect her ultimately from the envy and hatred of others. Mary is given a generous gift of a new dress from her friend Amelia, the daughter of the local landowner. This incites envy from Juliette, Amelia's maid who had wanted the dress for herself. When Amelia's mother's ring goes missing Juliette decides to pass the blame onto Mary. Both Mary and her father are imprisoned for the crime and eventually exiled from their home. Mary learns to trust in God completely as difficulty follows after difficulty. Even when she doubts if she will ever clear her name she turns back to God who is a constant source of comfort to her. Who did steal the ring in the end? That is the final unexpected twist in the tale, which makes this book a really good read.
February 12, 2018
The story focuses on Mary, a young woman of strong moral fiber, who lives with her father, James, a gardener. James is a widower, and does his best to raise Mary up into an upstanding and worthy individual. When a jealous neighbor blames Mary for stealing a valuable ring, Mary and her father are banished from the region.
There was a lot to like about this story, which had its moments of excitement and interest, but every time anything would happen, James would go off on a long and prosy sermonette, and while I generally agreed with what he was saying, I couldn't help but think that he made for a rather dull conversationalist. And really, that's the way the whole book was. I agreed with virtually every life-lesson presented, but the author seemed so busy presenting life-lessons that there wasn't a great deal of time left for the actual story. I can see this being used as a read-aloud for younger children, but I'm not sure it has enough kick to engage older readers. Still 3/5 and I did enjoy the melodramatic ups and downs of Mary's life.
There was a lot to like about this story, which had its moments of excitement and interest, but every time anything would happen, James would go off on a long and prosy sermonette, and while I generally agreed with what he was saying, I couldn't help but think that he made for a rather dull conversationalist. And really, that's the way the whole book was. I agreed with virtually every life-lesson presented, but the author seemed so busy presenting life-lessons that there wasn't a great deal of time left for the actual story. I can see this being used as a read-aloud for younger children, but I'm not sure it has enough kick to engage older readers. Still 3/5 and I did enjoy the melodramatic ups and downs of Mary's life.
April 21, 2013
It is a book full of lessons. In it are upheld the moral standards that are despised in our present world. James raises his family(Mary) in the fear of God, making her see God's beauty and greatness in everything around her. Mary's filial peity, humility, truthfulness, hopeful resignation and prayerfulness touches me as a youth. I've read this book since I was a little child(over 14 years now) sometimes several times a day, yet each time I read it, I shed tears as if I'm reading it for the first time and I make strong resolutions to the kind of girl I want to be. I recommend this book to families, friends... everyone.
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