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Florilla: A Pinelands Romance

by Perdita Buchan

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1591,377,955 (3.91)2
"Eleven-year old Florilla Munion is the daughter of Jack Munion a magician who bills himself as the Wizard Of The Pines. Florillas mother is dead and her abusive father has left her with her grandmother, old Peggy Munion, known locally as a witch. Now Peggy Munion has died and the child is alone. When Dr. Peace, the black doctor of the Pines, arrives to discover this, he takes Florilla to his friend Benjamin Bender. Benjamin Bender is a classicist, utopian socialist and enlightened owner of the Benderville Mills, a textile mill in the heart of the Pines. Dr. Peace is convinced that Florilla has psychic and healing powers and would be valuable to her violent, feckless father in his act. He feels that Benderville can provide safety and the schooling she deserves. Reluctantly, Benjamin Bender agrees to take her. Although Florilla has run wild in the woods for the past five years of living with her grandmother, she adapts to life at Benderville, becoming Benjamin Benders apt pupil, easily learning Latin and Greek. Her father shows up, is paid off, but periodically sends requests for more money. Jack Munion is an ordinary sleight of hand magician, and Benjamin Bender knows that, having some idea of her abilities, what he really wants is the girl herself. When Florilla reaches her late teens, Benjamin Bender, afraid that he wont be able to keep her out of Munions clutches, tries to marry her off"--… (more)
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Showing 1-5 of 9 (next | show all)
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
I just loved this book! It's a quick, fun read but full of interesting history and facts about plants and botany that I didn't expect. Verq unique in that aspect. Plus it has an entertaining plot about an interesting girl, finding her way in the world. ( )
  kruise | Nov 2, 2022 |
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Great book! ( )
  KellyAnn14 | Oct 12, 2022 |
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Every once in a while a book comes along that defies genre, weaves a spell around you and sets you on a search to find more books like it, which is an impossible task. Florilla is just such a book. It's a little magical gem of a tale that will linger with you long after the last page is turned. I was originally drawn to this book because of the setting in the Jersey Pinelands, but it is so much more than the sum of its parts. Under the masterful hand of the author, this story takes on an otherworldly, fable-like quality that is as ephemeral and will -o- the wisp as the characters, and the era in which they live. It's hard to define what makes this book so unique and mesmerizing, but I definitely found it to be a compelling read.

***I received a copy of this book in a LibraryThing Early Reviewers Giveaway. My review is strictly voluntary.*** ( )
1 vote DTChantel | Jul 14, 2022 |
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I got this book but within several pages I was completely immersed in the characters and world. It has a little bit of the feeling of something set in New Orleans - with old magic - to it.

The characters are complete and well-formed and the writer does a great job of describing the settings. I live in PA and we had Coal Towns which I guess are pretty similar to Cotton Towns.

The beginning of the book gives little away to the adventure that awaits the main character and the reader.

Wonderful summer read. Not light, but easy. And transporting. ( )
  ShawnMarie | Jul 3, 2022 |
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
ARC —LTER. A very nice little romance. Focuses on the New Jersey Pinelands in the mid-1800s. Florilla has gifts - sight and healing mostly. In her attempts to escape her father’s plans, she goes from her grandmother to the kindly Mr Bender to the eccentrics at the Woodland Place. But it is Colin who calls her across the ocean. Good characters, good feel for the place and time. Very enjoyable. ( )
  bgknighton | Jun 29, 2022 |
Showing 1-5 of 9 (next | show all)
I enjoyed the beginning and the setting. It just seems like it dragged on for a bit. Just couldn't get vested into the characters and it dragged on for a bit .
added by Taburb | editEarly Review Copy, Tab Urban (Jun 24, 2022)
 
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"Eleven-year old Florilla Munion is the daughter of Jack Munion a magician who bills himself as the Wizard Of The Pines. Florillas mother is dead and her abusive father has left her with her grandmother, old Peggy Munion, known locally as a witch. Now Peggy Munion has died and the child is alone. When Dr. Peace, the black doctor of the Pines, arrives to discover this, he takes Florilla to his friend Benjamin Bender. Benjamin Bender is a classicist, utopian socialist and enlightened owner of the Benderville Mills, a textile mill in the heart of the Pines. Dr. Peace is convinced that Florilla has psychic and healing powers and would be valuable to her violent, feckless father in his act. He feels that Benderville can provide safety and the schooling she deserves. Reluctantly, Benjamin Bender agrees to take her. Although Florilla has run wild in the woods for the past five years of living with her grandmother, she adapts to life at Benderville, becoming Benjamin Benders apt pupil, easily learning Latin and Greek. Her father shows up, is paid off, but periodically sends requests for more money. Jack Munion is an ordinary sleight of hand magician, and Benjamin Bender knows that, having some idea of her abilities, what he really wants is the girl herself. When Florilla reaches her late teens, Benjamin Bender, afraid that he wont be able to keep her out of Munions clutches, tries to marry her off"--

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Perdita Buchan's book Florilla: A Pinelands Romance was available from LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

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