Strike at Shane's

by Gene Stratton-Porter

A recently discovered work of Gene Stratton-Porter, this work was a prize winner in the American Humane Society's contest of 1893 and was published anonymously. It is the fictional story of the Shanes, a farm family of Indiana in the late 19th century.

Genres: Classics

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1893

About the author

She was an American author, amateur naturalist, wildlife photographer, and one of the earliest women to form a movie studio and production company. She wrote some of the best selling novels and well-received columns in magazines of the day.

Born Geneva Grace Stratton in Wabash County, Indiana, she married Charles D. Porter in 1886, and they had one daughter, Jeannette.

She became a wildlife photographer, specializing in the birds and moths in one of the last of the vanishing wetlands of the lower Great Lakes Basin. The Limberlost and Wildflower Woods of northeastern Indiana were the laboratory and inspiration for her stories, novels, essays, photography, and movies. Although there is evidence that her first book was "Strike at Shane's", which was published anonymously, her first attributed novel, The Song of the Cardinal met with great commercial success. Her novels Freckles and A Girl of the Limberlost are set in the wooded wetlands and swamps of the disappearing central Indiana ecosystems she loved and documented. She eventually wrote over 20 books.

Reviews

[Challice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost felt like a Black Beauty sequel written by a different author.
This book tells the story of a farm that was harshly treated by a miser who only saw profit in dollar signs. After a strike has begun by the farm animals, owner Shane and his son learn that there is profit to be found in treating all animals with respect and goodness as God's creatures.

Cute story. Said to be G.S. Porters first work

[Barbara Fabricius (du Plooy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story written by the author at an early age, but although it is a short story - the author at this early age has insight and wisdome beyond her years and has a message that everyone should learn - that all creatures and humans are God's creation and should be treated with dignity, love and respect. Written over 100 years ago, the message stands true today to the many people who have no respect for others or for nature. A father who treats animals cruelly and has no thought for his family and is driven by his need to make money, is converted by the advice of his daughter and the neighbours - that advice is 'do unto others as you would have done to you'

[mary sams · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not up to authors standard

This must have been written by porter when dshe was a child as I have followed her for many years and had never heard of this book. Was overjoyed to find it only to be sorely disappointed in the childish content. Not worth the time it takes to read it. Dont waste your money.

[Marsha Nelson-Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story about environmental reactions

Gene Stratton-Porter amazes me in the knowledge she shared over 100 years ago that has been shown to be very evident today. All of her books share a environmental, Societal and ecological threads. I admire her immensely for being so far ahead of her times.

[Beth Stephenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun little story

This is a lengthy short story, more than a novel. There’s plenty of sermon, but it’s cute enough to be enjoyable.

[Tom Helmick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short fable is thought to be and first book published by Gene Stratton Porter, although it was published anomalously in a journal of the American Humane Education Society. It has many of the themes of Gene's later books and was fun to see her beginnings in fiction

[Nickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just read this again to the girls for YASA later this month. Still just a good and of value in regards to how we treat all of Gods creatures. 1-15-2012

This little treasure by Gene Stratton-Porter. Written in 1893. A prixe winner at the American Humane Society contest.
A great short story to share with your family.
This is a story about a father and son who are mean to the farm animals. The animals have had enough and go on strike.
We laughed, we cried. Luckily the men repent after their eyes are opened not only about the animals but also to the realization that the family is also falling apart.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Strike at Shane's was originally published in 1893 by the American Humane Education Society. The farm animals are cruelly treated by their owner and go on strike, assisted by the birds and cats (no more natural pest control). This is a very cute story, though somewhat preachy. It's one of the author's earlier works and was published anonymously.