Cross currents;: The story of Margaret,

by Eleanor H. Porter, William Stecher (Illustrator)

When 5 year old Margaret's mother is killed crossing the street outside Grand Central, the unknowing orphan sets out to find her.

Genres: Classics, Audiobook

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1907

About the author

Eleanor Emily Hodgman Porter (December 19, 1868 – May 21, 1920) was an American novelist. She was born as Eleanor Emily Hodgman in Littleton, New Hampshire on December 19, 1868, the daughter of Llewella French (née Woolson) and Francis Fletcher Hodgman. She was trained as a singer, attending New England Conservatory for several years. In 1892, she married John Lyman Porter and relocated to Massachusetts, after which she began writing and publishing her short stories and later novels. She died in Cambridge, Massachusetts on May 21, 1920 and was buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Porter may be best known for Pollyanna, but she was a prolific author of many excellent works. Cross Currents is half harrowing family drama and half social justice novel: it opens with Mrs. Kendall leaving her five-year-old daughter Margaret in Grand Central Station while she runs a quick errand. Mrs. Kendall is hit by a car on her way back, and Margaret, after waiting as long as she can, eventually is picked up by a little boy from the tenements. The boy's drunkard father puts Margaret to work in a sweatshop, from which she runs away, ending up on the streets of New York.

The book follows the dual narratives of Margaret's bereaved mother (who does recover after months in a city hospital) and Margaret herself, showing what life was like for orphan children at the turn of the last century. It certainly paints a too-rosy picture of social betterment groups (read Anzia Yezierska's "The Free Vacation House" in Hungry hearts / by Anzia Yezierska - Primary Source Edition for a first-person account) but it makes its point and is incredibly readable, even if early 20th century literature isn't your favorite.

Certainly it, along with the Miss Billie series, makes the case for Porter being more than just the book that got a Disney film.

[Simone Ramone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does every one of her stories feature an angelic blonde child and a carriage accident?

[Laurie Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just really like Eleanor Porter's books. But this one was extra good I think. The Narrator, Chiquito Crasto, was excellent.

The story was a window on NYC slums and the positive effect of Christian Camp - in this case The Bowery Mission's outreach (just a little on this - and not named) and Mont Lawn Retreat Center in the Poconos region of Pennsylvania.

Just for the record, the circumstances are a little different than the summary given. For instance, Margaret's mother is not killed, although she is badly injured in the accident that leads to their separation.

[Katlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The description isn't quite right. For neither Margret nor her mother die and the reader is fully aware of that fact the entire time they are reading the book. They are however, separated during an accident that leaves Margret and her mother both quite alone in the world. The tension lies in the reader wondering if mother will be able to live and hope again? And while she struggles what is to become of the poor lost child?

[Shirley Sutay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tender good tale!

Written in the style of long ago. Lovely Christian story of a mother's love and of faith. It too is a glimpse of suffering and pain endured by women and children in the slums and of child labor carried out years ago. Keep a tissue close at hand!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Such a story. I wish I had been paying attention and read these two books in order... but it was still a great story.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and read by Chiquito Crasto. A tragic story with a very grateful ending.

[Adelaide · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very touching story !

A very sad story with a very happy ending ! This book is full of teachings ! Enjoy! Don't forget to count your blessings.