The Wood-Carver of 'Lympus

by Mary E. Waller

This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.

Genres: Fiction

328 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1904

About the author

Mary Ella Waller (March 1, 1855 – June 14, 1938) was an American writer and educator from New England whose work encompassed children's stories, translations of German verse and more than twenty novels.

Reviews

[Cheryl]

I'm reading an actual century-old hardcover, pencil marks and all. But it's also avl on Open Library.

So far so refreshing... I need to take a break and read these old books more often. If for no other reason than to learn lost arts & crafts and cooking. Consider making a simple hanging 'plant' from an old carrot top: https://goo.gl/images/tj4Zgd (first image I've done, with lots of different plant scraps & pits etc., but look at the clever second image).

Done. Old-fashioned, and sentimental. A bit melodramatic, with some pretty implausible bits. Infused with Christian duty &etc. But still charming. For example, I love how the characters refer to books & authors as their 'friends.' They spend time with a relatively few precious works, instead of galloping through challenges as GR persuades us to do.

Very interesting to compare the medical support system given a 'cripple' then and now. There's no way a modern paraplegic in New England would be left to lie abed for a year and a half before getting even an adjustable cot so he could sit up. But inside, the man would be the same, feeling a need to work, to be productive, to be acknowledged as a man rather than an infant.

The image on the cover is meant to resemble one of Hugh's early works.

At the end of the book are summaries of Waller's other works... none of which appeal to me.

[Hannah]

An interesting story about Twiddie, a waif who becomes the life of a farmhouse, and the crippled son of the house, Hugh—evidently his back was broken in a logging accident, and he lies on a bed, helpless, at the age of twenty-three. He journals; she grows up, bringing him to awareness of life beyond his bed. The book is an interesting combination of her life, Hugh's journal, and Twiddie's letters when she is away.

The style of writing is lyrical and heartfelt. A true gem from the past.

[Cera]

Another early 20th century book that made me feel good! Aside from a first/last chapter frame, this is the fictional diary of a Vermont farmer in his twenties who is crippled in a logging accident and has to figure out how to accept his disability and continue living a life that he'll find meaningful. It's an interesting mix of sentimentality with very realistic bitterness and struggle.

[Susannah]

Am really enjoying this story - a remarkably perceptive, engaging account from the first and third-person perspectives of various characters interwoven with letters, which is a technique that is always interesting when done well, as it is here. The language is not so archaic as to be quaint or distracting, and the lovely turns of phrase artfully illustrate the thoughts of the narrators and move the action forward at a moderate, well-set pace.

[Ida]

An old old book with old fashioned morals and strong upbuilding characters.