Red of the Redfields

Red Pepper #5

by Grace S. Richmond

It was no longer necessary for Dr. Redfield Pepper Burns to employ a secretary or an office nurse. After fifteen rushing years of work in his profession he had quite suddenly gone to pieces-"shot," as he himself put it. The literal truth was that he had worn himself out at an early age. A machine can't be run overtime, year after year, with very little attention to oiling and cleaning and rest, without getting itself ultimately to scrap-heap. Not that Burns was on any scrap-heap-or, if he was, that must be a place of much greater activity than is commonly supposed. But when an over-tired heart refuses to function without giving its owner frequent warning that it is liable to strike permanently, it becomes necessary for the owner to humour it.

Genres: Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1924

About the author

Grace Louise Smith Richmond (1866–1959), American romance novelist created the Dr. R.P. Burns series.

Her first short stories were published in various women's magazines including the Women's Home Companion, Ladies' Home Journal, and Everybody's Magazine as early as 1898. Richmond wrote 27 novels between 1905 and 1936. Red Pepper Burns was published in 1910. Like most of her strong-willed yet compassionate characters, R.P. Burns is a kind, old-souled country doctor who makes house calls. His fiery red hair and temper to match earned him his nickname Red Pepper, though he is still a charming and endearing gentleman. Mrs. Red Pepper (1913), Red Pepper's Patients (1917), and Red of the Redfields (1924) followed.

Reviews

[Angie Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF for profanity. Disappointed because I was really interested in the story. :(

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one mostly because of its focus on domestic life and what we might call "lay nursing", that is, the kind of non-specialized whole-person care women used to do more often than we do in modern times. An art of care that we're slowly losing, I'm afraid. Reading books like this is helpful, though, for someone like me who wants to be able to care well for her family in health and sickness.

This kind of at-home nursing includes not only care of the loved one's physical body & medical needs, but also: preparation & presentation of delicious, tempting, nourishing foods; a clean, restful, & beautiful environment; a regard for the importance of fresh air, sunshine, and physical activity; wisdom in understanding & addressing mental, emotional, and spiritual health... and so on.

[Asha McDd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok but it has been the only book that I have read by this author. All of the Redfield's were very perfect in my opinion. Other than that it was good.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

As charming a Richmond as ever was, and slightly less predictable.