This is truly a forgotten classic. I first read it many years ago, and recently had the desire to pick it up again. I found that it was not as readily available as many other classics, which is certainly a shame as it is a wonderful book.

The story concerns a young orphan, named Freckles, who has personally experienced many of the worst aspects of humanity in his short life. Sadly, these experiences have left Freckles with only one hand, no material possessions, little education, and most importantly, no concerned friends or loved ones. As a result of the kindness of Mr. Mclean, part owner of the grand rapids lumber company, Freckles finds himself serving as the protector of timber in the Limberlost swamp. The timber itself is very valuable, and there are several unsavory characters who would love to have a chance to sell the timber for themselves. This employment proves to be life changing for Freckles, and ultimately leads to his discovery of the history of his past. The book also features a charming love story that is both tender and engaging.

This is a great read, but I did find it slightly less enjoyable than Porter's Girl of the Limberlost, which also takes place in Indiana. Porter describes Freckles as "plucky," and that really is the best word to describe him. This book has just enough action to keep the reader engaged, and is a quick and easy read. What really comes through on each page is Porter's love of nature and all it's wonders. I am sure I will be rereading this again in years to come. ( )

As a young adult, this book brought home the fact that you can do anything you set your mind to do.

Can't be objective about this book, the only one ever bought for me by my father on his own, because he had read it. Stonkingly sentimental, I suppose, but I love it, as Freckles charms the birds off the trees in his open-air cathedral and wins true love. ( )

Oh, Victorian morality stories about the nobility of suffering, and the redemptive power of hard work, how I love you.

Gene Stratton Porter (and not Jean as they have above, good grief) wrote a lot of books in this vein -- the healing power of the natural world and the nobility of suffering, and the purity and rewards from mixing the two. Rewards such as marriage, of course, or a good death, or other similarly unmodern offerings, but she's *is* product of a particular time and set of attitudes that tried to make bearable a difficult world. She fits in with authors like Susan Coolidge, L.M. Montgomery, L. M. Alcott, who I also like, who don't quite manage the complete Dr. Pangloss depiction of the world, and reality and their own humanity creeps in to gentle what might otherwise be a harsh Christian sententiousness.

Violet Needham does something similar, but less overtly Christian, and I suspect that is a function of the differences between UK and US attitudes to public avowals of religion.

Which isn't really a review of the book, which is a rather enjoyable amble through the tribulations of one-handed, red-headed orphan, Freckles, whose courage and intrinsic goodness make him beloved by all. Which sounds awful, and somehow, it's not. ( )

Freckles has wonderful descriptions. Gene Stratton Porter brings the deep forest and swamp of Linberlost to life with both broad background to detail of colour and sound. The vast presence of the forest with its sounds and silences and the feelings of fear and loneliness they can raise in people are exquisitely rendered.

The story reminds me of some Louisa May Alcott plot. A maimed orphan looking for legitimate work stumbles into a lumber camp. His honesty, enthusiasm, and persistance get him a chance from the Boss. Known only as Freckles, the boy must twice a day walk the 7 mile perimeter of a plot of forest making sure that poachers are not skimming the best of the trees out of the forest before the crew can get to the job. It is a hard lonely job but Freckles is drawn from his fear by the lush details of the wildlife. Friendships and care blossom when the fear has gone and Freckles enears himself to his host family, his boss, and a naturalist photographer and the young girl who accompanies her into the forest.

Freckles falls in love with the girl. She saves him from terrible trouble at one point and he saves her life, at great risk to himself. An orphan with little if any future, Freckles knows that he cannot even hope to have his love for the "Swamp Angel" to be returned. The angel seems to care for him as well but it cannot be. Freckles works hard to educate himself and his boss sees a future for Freckles of college and a job in the logging company. Everyone, well almost everyone, mentions his politeness and gentility.

Surprise! Though Freckles is an orphan they find his family (Uncle) and discover that Freckles is a wealthy member of a Noble Irish family. This family was not aware of his existance until lately and they have straight away come to America to find him and restore him to his rightful place. Now Freckles and the Angel's love can be requited because they are of similar class.