Lady Jane

by Cecilia Viets Jamison

The title character is an orphan whose background is a mystery to those who take her in. The beautiful little girl grows up through her many adventures in the old city of New Orleans such as seeing a Boeuf Gras walking through the streets of New Orleans on Lundi Gras (the day before Mardi Gras). Jane�s unique childhood experiences give readers a wonderful look at real places and events of days gone by.

Genres: Childrens, Classics, Fiction

233 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1891

About the author

Cecilia Viets Jamison (also published as Mrs. C. V. Jamison) was a Canadian-born American writer.

The daughter of Viets and Elizabeth Bruce Dakin, she was born Cecilia Viets Dakin in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and moved to Boston with her family during her mid-teens. She studied at private schools in Canada, New York City, Boston and Paris. Following her first marriage, Jamison went on to study art in Rome for three years. There, she met Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who encouraged her in her writing and supported the publication of her book Woven of Many Threads in 1872. On her return to the United States, she participated in the literary salon of Mollie Evelyn Moore Davis. Jamison contributed to Harper's Magazine, Scribner's Magazine, Appletons' Journal, St. Nicholas Magazine and the Journal of American Folklore.

She was married twice: first to George Hamilton around 1860 and then to Samuel Jamison, a lawyer from New Orleans, in 1878. The couple lived near Thibodaux, Louisiana, moving to New Orleans in 1887. After her second husband's death in 1902, she returned to Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Meen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this is another library book that I checked out (in 1984!) and never returned! This is a children's story originally published in 1891, but I have loved it the many times I have read it as an adult not just because it's a charming story but for the brilliantly detailed picture one gets of old New Orleans. It's especially poignant now after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina (even though most of the oldest areas described in the story, particularly the French Quarter, were not damaged). All of the times I have visited New Orleans as an adult I have scenes from this story in mind when I am walking around imagining the city as it used to be. Thank you, Duck Hill Public Library! ;)

[Gwynplaine26th · Rating 4 out of 5]

La narrazione della Jamison, in questo bel romanzo di buoni sentimenti, esplora i temi della perdita, della sopravvivenza e dell'innocenza, attraverso un mondo che è sì epicentro di umana benevolenza ma anche di dolore e pericoli nascosti. Una delicata descrizione dello stupore infantile, in una storia perfetta da leggere in questo periodo sotto un caldo plaid sorseggiando cioccolata calda.

[Vale · Rating 5 out of 5]

It makes me cry every single time. But let's imagine this scenery:
"I'm Lady Jane, I'm going to New Orleans, to visit a friend",
"Oh really? Me too! How's your friend called?"
"Lanier"
"NO WAY! Let's go together!"

End of the book, end of the disgraces.
It's really moving.

[Ginevra · Rating 4 out of 5]

L'ho letto tanto tempo fa ma mi ricordo che mi era piaciuto tantissimo, commovente, dolce e bellissimo

[Shaitanah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, albeit rather dated, but a nice historical slice of life, quite soothing in its naïveté.

[Recensioni in tre parole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Innocente. Sentimentale. Delicato.

[Bart Everson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an obscure children's novel set in late 19th century New Orleans. A friend gave it to us shortly after the birth of my daughter.

Living in New Orleans, I certainly found the historical details of great interest. Early on, this passage caught my eye: "the little village of Gretna, one of the most unlovely suburbs of New Orleans" — interesting to know people been hatin' on Gretna since 1918!

Alas, the orphaned heroine runs to the saccharine side, and the racist caricatures are difficult to stomach. The latter provided some discussion points for my daughter and me. I can attest, however, that my daughter's joy at the story's happy resolution was genuine and unbridled.

[Clara Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this story of a little orphan girl making her way in 19th century New Orleans. Will the mystery of her parentage and origin ever be discovered? Will she ever be able to get away from her false guardian and find her true family? At every stage of her story, even to the lowest depths of poverty, little Lady Jane meets with kind people who love and help her, and I think that is what kept the story more hopeful in tone. I found myself reading on and on till I could make sure all would end well - and it does, giving the most satisfying feeling when Lady Jane's story is concluded! The author wrote in a direct and easy to read manner, and the characters felt so real! The only negative I must mention is the unfortunate use of dialect to racially stereotype a couple of characters. Although used only briefly, it is still terrible. Otherwise, this book is wonderful, and it is readily available to read online, too!

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A charming period piece, set in 1890's New Orleans, which employs every Dickensian strategy to tell a sentimental tale of an orphan girl and her heron (no, honestly). Found during a wonderful weekend with my wife among the Hay On Wye second hand bookshops.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Davvero un tenero romanzo:)