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The Harvester
Idyllic bliss, pristine woods, a mysterious past
Gene Stratton-Porter returns us to her beloved Midwestern woodlands with a hero modeled after Henry David Thoreau. He and his “wonderful, alluring” Ruth ultimately find idyllic bliss in the pure, unspoiled woods, but not before her mysterious past is revealed and resolved.
Gene Stratton-Porter returns us to her beloved Midwestern woodlands with a hero modeled after Henry David Thoreau. He and his “wonderful, alluring” Ruth ultimately find idyllic bliss in the pure, unspoiled woods, but not before her mysterious past is revealed and resolved.
528 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1911
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1994 people want to read
About the author
Gene Stratton-Porter
119 books673 followersShe 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
May 20, 2014
Please don't let my wife read this book - I would never hear the end of it. The reader should remember that David Langston, Porter's Harvester, was, after all, only a fictional character. He never really existed.
Having said that, I was mesmerized by the sweep, intensity and energy of this book. I don't think I've ever read a more moving love story, albeit one-sided. Porter's premise, her style, her profuse imagery were unique. At times, the narrative and commentary were slow-paced (I kept saying to myself, "Come on, let's get on with it"). It was a bold undertaking - but it worked remarkably for me.
The plot is straightforward: David Langston, a young bachelor (about 1910), lives alone (with his dog and farm animals - whom he speaks to) on a large acreage of pristine woodlands he inherited from his widowed mother. The property had been in the family for two generations. He is a hard-working, moral, man of the earth who makes his living "harvesting" and processing medicinal plants for sale to alleviate pain and suffering (a noble cause). Annually, for the last six years, he has asked his dog , Bel, if he should take a wife. In the past, the dog has responded no. This year, the answer is "yes". The Harvester becomes a bit peeved with this response and for the first time ever kicks the dog. That night, the Harvester has a dream in which the woman he is to marry comes to him (although he has never met or seen her). Thereafter, his focus changes and he radically transforms (improves) his homestead in preparation for her coming. While not compromising his integrity and moral bearings, his central purpose from that point forward is to reflect the single-minded love he has for his beloved. What follows forms the centerpiece of this very engaging novel which plays with the reader's very heartstrings. While Porter's style may not appeal to all readers, it worked for me and I was transfixed. Perhaps I am just a sentimentalist.
While perhaps not Porter's intent, for me the narrative became an allegory for the deep love, devotion and dedication our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has for each of us. He is all capable - there is nothing he cannot do and wants to do for us - except He will not infringe upon or abridge our agency. We can choose to love and follow Him or not. His invitation to us is always there ("I stand at the door and knock" Revelation 3:20). It is up to us to accept His invitation and open the door to Him. Is He not the bridegroom? Are we not all invited to the wedding feast (parable of the ten virgins - Matthew 25:1-13)? If we embrace His doctrine, which is liberating and calculated to fill us with perfect love, does He not embrace us (Doctrine & Covenants 6:20) and is He not willing to share with us all that He has? (Doctrine & Covenants 84:38). As I read The Harvester, interposing the Savior for David, and all mankind for his beloved, and magnifying the love and joy by eternity and infinity, the book became more than just a novel. For me, this book was a solid 5.
Having said that, I was mesmerized by the sweep, intensity and energy of this book. I don't think I've ever read a more moving love story, albeit one-sided. Porter's premise, her style, her profuse imagery were unique. At times, the narrative and commentary were slow-paced (I kept saying to myself, "Come on, let's get on with it"). It was a bold undertaking - but it worked remarkably for me.
The plot is straightforward: David Langston, a young bachelor (about 1910), lives alone (with his dog and farm animals - whom he speaks to) on a large acreage of pristine woodlands he inherited from his widowed mother. The property had been in the family for two generations. He is a hard-working, moral, man of the earth who makes his living "harvesting" and processing medicinal plants for sale to alleviate pain and suffering (a noble cause). Annually, for the last six years, he has asked his dog , Bel, if he should take a wife. In the past, the dog has responded no. This year, the answer is "yes". The Harvester becomes a bit peeved with this response and for the first time ever kicks the dog. That night, the Harvester has a dream in which the woman he is to marry comes to him (although he has never met or seen her). Thereafter, his focus changes and he radically transforms (improves) his homestead in preparation for her coming. While not compromising his integrity and moral bearings, his central purpose from that point forward is to reflect the single-minded love he has for his beloved. What follows forms the centerpiece of this very engaging novel which plays with the reader's very heartstrings. While Porter's style may not appeal to all readers, it worked for me and I was transfixed. Perhaps I am just a sentimentalist.
While perhaps not Porter's intent, for me the narrative became an allegory for the deep love, devotion and dedication our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has for each of us. He is all capable - there is nothing he cannot do and wants to do for us - except He will not infringe upon or abridge our agency. We can choose to love and follow Him or not. His invitation to us is always there ("I stand at the door and knock" Revelation 3:20). It is up to us to accept His invitation and open the door to Him. Is He not the bridegroom? Are we not all invited to the wedding feast (parable of the ten virgins - Matthew 25:1-13)? If we embrace His doctrine, which is liberating and calculated to fill us with perfect love, does He not embrace us (Doctrine & Covenants 6:20) and is He not willing to share with us all that He has? (Doctrine & Covenants 84:38). As I read The Harvester, interposing the Savior for David, and all mankind for his beloved, and magnifying the love and joy by eternity and infinity, the book became more than just a novel. For me, this book was a solid 5.
June 15, 2010
My husband thought we should read this book at the same time. His mother read it to him in his youth, and he thought it helped shape his view of how women should be treated.
I loved this book! The Harvester is such a wonderful character, an ideal man. He is noble, caring, patient, smart . . . I could go on. This is a wonderful love story. It is passionate while still appropriate. The characters are quirky and endearing. The story is captivating. I love the messages of good moral values, forgiveness, and hard work.
Also, I am not a gardener. I have little to no interest in plants, but the tender care The Harvester uses with his plants combined with the extensive knowledge and description included by the author had me interested almost to the point of looking up some of the plants on the internet to learn more . . . almost. (That's saying a lot.)
I would recommend this book to anyone!
I loved this book! The Harvester is such a wonderful character, an ideal man. He is noble, caring, patient, smart . . . I could go on. This is a wonderful love story. It is passionate while still appropriate. The characters are quirky and endearing. The story is captivating. I love the messages of good moral values, forgiveness, and hard work.
Also, I am not a gardener. I have little to no interest in plants, but the tender care The Harvester uses with his plants combined with the extensive knowledge and description included by the author had me interested almost to the point of looking up some of the plants on the internet to learn more . . . almost. (That's saying a lot.)
I would recommend this book to anyone!
September 20, 2020
I guess I'm a little disappointed in this book. I had such high hopes for it - a hero modeled after Henry David Thoreau, how wonderful! ❤ Sadly, I didn't see a great resemblance to Mr. Thoreau (at least as I envision him) in the Harvester. For one thing he talked too much, even when he was alone, which I found annoying at times, but that could be just me. The writing wasn't my style either, and Porter has a strange way of not calling people by their real names most of the time. It got tiring reading "the man" and "the Girl" over and over! I also found the entire romance a bit "weird". There was nothing inappropriate, but there were moments when I was almost exasperated and I just felt like I could have come up with something a whole lot more likely myself! 😂 But what bothered me most was the Harvester's distorted idea of who God is. It was more than halfway through the book when that came out...thankfully it is only mentioned briefly in a couple of places.
All that being said, I did love all the beautiful descriptions of the woods, the wildflowers and their medicinal uses, and in many ways the Harvester was a man of strong and noble character.
All that being said, I did love all the beautiful descriptions of the woods, the wildflowers and their medicinal uses, and in many ways the Harvester was a man of strong and noble character.
May 5, 2015
This is a beautiful love story with passion and desire with out the lust. A great commentary on how love is deepened with clean living and heartfelt service. Move over Mr Darcy, David Langston is a man with strength, honesty, and straightforwardness not to be placed before tenderness, gentleness and kindness.
One of my favorite quotes:
"...Never can you be truly happy, Ruth, until you have forgiven them... The only way on earth to cure [pain] is through forgiveness. That, and that only, will ease it all away, and leave you happy and free for life and love."
This book is also wonderfully connected to the earth in ways that only Gene Stratton-Poter can create. The herbs and wild plants become characters themselves that we come to appreciate for the work they do for man kind. Stratton-Porter has never left me wanting and this book is no exception!
One of my favorite quotes:
"...Never can you be truly happy, Ruth, until you have forgiven them... The only way on earth to cure [pain] is through forgiveness. That, and that only, will ease it all away, and leave you happy and free for life and love."
This book is also wonderfully connected to the earth in ways that only Gene Stratton-Poter can create. The herbs and wild plants become characters themselves that we come to appreciate for the work they do for man kind. Stratton-Porter has never left me wanting and this book is no exception!
July 23, 2024
So many parallels to The Blue Castle! Will write more soon!
October 26, 2024
Up to this point I've only read the "Big Three" of this author's books, though I've enjoyed them for years. The advent of free/cheap collections of older works on e-book has made it possible to try more, and for my first foray deeper into her collection I chose "Harvester". What an inspired choice! It turned out to be a wonderful old-fashioned love story. I only wish I'd read it years ago.
About the first half of this story deals with David, a man who makes his living gathering the wild barks, roots, leaves and other plant life that were so important to medicine before the explosion of "laboratory" medicines. David is a recluse, a twenty-six year old man whose best friend is his dog. The story deals in great detail with his works among the plants, and even I, plant lover that I am, wished for a bit more plot here. But I went with the story, enjoying the little clues to David's character that are revealed as we watch him work. Then he sees his "true love". Now, ordinarily I'm not a fan of love at first sight stories, but this one was set up well and I went with it. I'm glad I did. :)
The second half of the book showed David tracking down, befriending, and then rescuing and loving the girl of his dreams. There were several things that I loved about this part. First, though David was an admirable man in many ways, he wasn't perfect. He made some missteps and didn't always know exactly the right thing to do. I appreciate MC's who don't know everything. Also, I loved that the story took us way beyond the wedding into the actual relationship of the two as it developed. And last, the uniqueness of S-P's settings and occupations are refreshing and lend a fascination to her books.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who loves old-fashioned love stories where character matters more than looks and people are willing to work and wait for what the want.
Quote: "The Almighty does not evolve all his wonders in animal, bird, and flower form; He keeps some work to go out in the heart..."
NB - The "Big "Three" are A Girl of the Limberlost, (my favorite growing up), Freckles and Laddie: A True Blue Story. A collection of 12 of her e-books has been available for several years, so look for that.
About the first half of this story deals with David, a man who makes his living gathering the wild barks, roots, leaves and other plant life that were so important to medicine before the explosion of "laboratory" medicines. David is a recluse, a twenty-six year old man whose best friend is his dog. The story deals in great detail with his works among the plants, and even I, plant lover that I am, wished for a bit more plot here. But I went with the story, enjoying the little clues to David's character that are revealed as we watch him work. Then he sees his "true love". Now, ordinarily I'm not a fan of love at first sight stories, but this one was set up well and I went with it. I'm glad I did. :)
The second half of the book showed David tracking down, befriending, and then rescuing and loving the girl of his dreams. There were several things that I loved about this part. First, though David was an admirable man in many ways, he wasn't perfect. He made some missteps and didn't always know exactly the right thing to do. I appreciate MC's who don't know everything. Also, I loved that the story took us way beyond the wedding into the actual relationship of the two as it developed. And last, the uniqueness of S-P's settings and occupations are refreshing and lend a fascination to her books.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who loves old-fashioned love stories where character matters more than looks and people are willing to work and wait for what the want.
Quote: "The Almighty does not evolve all his wonders in animal, bird, and flower form; He keeps some work to go out in the heart..."
NB - The "Big "Three" are A Girl of the Limberlost, (my favorite growing up), Freckles and Laddie: A True Blue Story. A collection of 12 of her e-books has been available for several years, so look for that.
August 20, 2016
I adore this Limberlost book. It is different from the other two Limberlost books in many ways but it's so very ethereal and beautiful.
Where was this book when I was 14 years old? I needed this book back then. I'll tell you where it was-- probably out of print! I read the GSP books that I could get my hands on when I was that age and I never came across this one. Thank goodness for this electronic age that we live in that is bringing these old gems back to life!
Where was this book when I was 14 years old? I needed this book back then. I'll tell you where it was-- probably out of print! I read the GSP books that I could get my hands on when I was that age and I never came across this one. Thank goodness for this electronic age that we live in that is bringing these old gems back to life!
October 25, 2025
David Langston lives alone in the Medicine Woods, where he cultivates and harvests plants used for medicines and sells them to doctors and drug companies. His neighbors call him lazy because he hasn't drained his lake and planted corn; really he is hard-working and well versed in the ways of the woods.
Each spring with the coming of the first bluebird, he asks his faithful dog whether he should continue with his present occupation or seek his fortune in the city, and the dog always advises him to stay in the woods. He also asks the dog each spring whether he should find a wife, and each spring the dog has responded negatively until this year. The Harvester isn't thrilled at the prospect of leaving his woods to find a wife, but that night he sees a vision of a beautiful woman in white walking across the lake to him.
The next day he starts building a home for his "dream girl" and working in every way for her. He finally finds her in the clutches of her cruel and malicious uncle and must work to win her trust and to overcome her past.
What I love about this book, and about all of Gene Stratton-Porter's that I have read so far, is that the protagonists are the epitome of manhood and womanhood. They are physically healthy and strong; they are scrupulously moral; they work hard; and they have respect and love for nature and for their fellow men.
I also love the description of the Medicine Woods—learning the uses of the different plants, what they look like, and how they are harvested. I also love the descriptions of the new house—how it was planned for health, simplicity, and utility; how they decorated it; how it is filled with light and surrounded by nature. I want to go live there!
2025: I was struck on this re-read on how much pressure David puts on Ruth. I know he is painted as impossibly strong, wise, etc. in the book, but I'm not sure he ever fully understood the amount of pressure that was on poor Ruth to give him something she didn't even understand.
That said, I do still love this book, and this time around, I was able to thoroughly appreciate Stratton-Porter's writing style. Many books from this era don't read well in modern times, but this one does much better than average!
Each spring with the coming of the first bluebird, he asks his faithful dog whether he should continue with his present occupation or seek his fortune in the city, and the dog always advises him to stay in the woods. He also asks the dog each spring whether he should find a wife, and each spring the dog has responded negatively until this year. The Harvester isn't thrilled at the prospect of leaving his woods to find a wife, but that night he sees a vision of a beautiful woman in white walking across the lake to him.
The next day he starts building a home for his "dream girl" and working in every way for her. He finally finds her in the clutches of her cruel and malicious uncle and must work to win her trust and to overcome her past.
What I love about this book, and about all of Gene Stratton-Porter's that I have read so far, is that the protagonists are the epitome of manhood and womanhood. They are physically healthy and strong; they are scrupulously moral; they work hard; and they have respect and love for nature and for their fellow men.
I also love the description of the Medicine Woods—learning the uses of the different plants, what they look like, and how they are harvested. I also love the descriptions of the new house—how it was planned for health, simplicity, and utility; how they decorated it; how it is filled with light and surrounded by nature. I want to go live there!
2025: I was struck on this re-read on how much pressure David puts on Ruth. I know he is painted as impossibly strong, wise, etc. in the book, but I'm not sure he ever fully understood the amount of pressure that was on poor Ruth to give him something she didn't even understand.
That said, I do still love this book, and this time around, I was able to thoroughly appreciate Stratton-Porter's writing style. Many books from this era don't read well in modern times, but this one does much better than average!
October 4, 2025
One of the best books I’ve ever read—- it feels painful to have finished it. I have no words ❤️
November 16, 2013
I read this because it was selected as the quarterly classic group read in one of the groups I'm in. The story is about a man, David Langston who is the harvester. He harvests wild plants for medicines. He lives a simple life with his dog and his plants. One day he has this dream of a woman and knows she is the one for him. Later he sees her in town but was unable to get to her. He then looks for her and eventually he does find her. Her name is Ruth Jameson and she just arrived in the area and lived with a sickly aunt and abusive uncle.
This story was written in a strange manner. It was very informative about horticulture, a subject I'm not a fan of. The story seemed to dwell on the subject too much for my personal taste. The author referred to the main characters as The Harvester and The Girl instead of their given names which bothered me some. But if a person is able to get through all that they will discover a sweet love story.
This story was written in a strange manner. It was very informative about horticulture, a subject I'm not a fan of. The story seemed to dwell on the subject too much for my personal taste. The author referred to the main characters as The Harvester and The Girl instead of their given names which bothered me some. But if a person is able to get through all that they will discover a sweet love story.
December 1, 2010
Three and a half stars. This book started out slow and was a hard for me to get into at first but the story definitely picked up in the second half of the book. I had a hard time placing the setting and time period so it was an unsettling read. At first I was a little worried about the main character's motivations and ideas about love. The love story seemed a too idealized, which can still make for a good story but the author sets the book up to be so much more than an overly romantic love story. David expected so much from Ruth in the way that he wanted her to love him and yet he himeself hardly knew her at all couldn't possibly love her the way he wanted to be loved in return. I think the turning point was when Granny Moreland offered these words of wisdom:
Granny: "Why you dratted popinjay! If ever in all my born days I wanted to take a man and jest lit'erally mop up the airth with him, it's right here and now. 'Absence teach her what you call love.' Idiot! That's your job!"
David: "[I want her to] understand what love means before I can accept what she offers."
Granny: "You puddin' head! You blunderbuss! Understand what you mean by love. If you're going to bar a woman from being a wife 'til she knows what you mean by love, you'll stop about nine tenths of the weddings in the world."
Go Granny! While David was strong and noble and kind and gentle, I did feel like calling him a puddin' head when it came to his expectations. But the story did come full circle and towards the end I was hooked. I learned a great lesson about love within a marriage and how it can grow deeper and deeper with time and work. Thanks for the recommendation Melissa!
Granny: "Why you dratted popinjay! If ever in all my born days I wanted to take a man and jest lit'erally mop up the airth with him, it's right here and now. 'Absence teach her what you call love.' Idiot! That's your job!"
David: "[I want her to] understand what love means before I can accept what she offers."
Granny: "You puddin' head! You blunderbuss! Understand what you mean by love. If you're going to bar a woman from being a wife 'til she knows what you mean by love, you'll stop about nine tenths of the weddings in the world."
Go Granny! While David was strong and noble and kind and gentle, I did feel like calling him a puddin' head when it came to his expectations. But the story did come full circle and towards the end I was hooked. I learned a great lesson about love within a marriage and how it can grow deeper and deeper with time and work. Thanks for the recommendation Melissa!
September 7, 2013
David Langston is The Harvester. Content to live a simple life with his dog and the thought of complicating it with a woman brings on a panic attack…. Until…. The vision of her changed his life. David didn’t know her name or even where she was but he knew that she would be his wife and started preparing for her arrival by building her a home. The harvester grows, tends and cultivates trees, plants, herbs, edible and medicinal fungi. The author displays a cornucopia of colors, smells and textures while describing the various plants and animals that make up the forest. David’s homeopathic knowledge is enormous (certainly when compared with his familiarity of the fairer sex). Plainly put, this is an unpretentious love story in the old style where chivalry, honesty and family values play a major role. The devotion and certainty with which he pursues the illusion of the tall, dark-haired stranger may appear strange and irrational to some and uncontaminated, chaste and pure to others. I gladly join the second group as the selflessness of the love displayed by David for Ruth is indeed rare. It is sometimes very frustrating but always extraordinarily moving and warmly recommend it to everyone.
April 17, 2011
I thought Laddie would always be my favorite Gene Stratton Porter book...I was wrong. I picked up a worn, weather beaten copy of the Harvester which was published in 1911. It belonged to my husbands grandmother and I have wanted to read it for years, but feared I would ruin it. Yesterday, I gently picked it up and began to try the waters. I put it down twice; once to sleep and the next when I had finished it. It is the most enchanting, inspiring story of love and life that I have yet encountered. Though there are a few moments when I would have wished for a more complete description of events, the story had me entirely captivated and I put it down feeling as though I had momentarily walked on holy ground. Please do a large kindness for yourself and experience this book. It was more than worth the wait.
February 22, 2011
Could be that I especially loved this book after just having finished The Outlander. It was such a beautiful expression of "He loved us first". I loved the description of the reason we need to forgive on p. 320, "The only way on earth to cure the pain is through forgiveness. That, and that only, will ease it all away, and leave you happy and free for life and love. So long as you let this rancour eat in your heart, you are not, and never can be, normal. You must forgive them. Then your heart will be at rest at last, your soul free, you can take your rightful place in life, and the love you crave will awaken in your heart. Forgiveness is the only thing that will cleanse your heart of bitterness and leave it free for the tenanting of a great and holy love.
August 1, 2018
I always enjoy reading Gene Stratton-Porter, and this was no exception. A very sweet love story with a hero you can really admire, more for what is on the inside than what is on outside (but don't get me wrong, he was very rugged and handsome in my head! hehe). The setting is gorgeous as it tends to be in her novels, her descriptions of the natural world are beautiful, but peppered with a scientific view that helps to keep them grounded a bit.
December 20, 2024
It is impossible to have a favorite Gene Stratton-Porter book. But "The Harvester" (sigh!) is in a world of its own. I've read it over a dozen times since I was a teenager, and every time it grips me in the deepest places with hope, love, peace and the desire to "do justly, love Mercy and walk humbly with God".
David Langston's story is based on the life of Henry David Thoreau. David, also referred to as the "Medicine Man" or "The Harvester" is a man and hero seldom written about or found in the world anymore. David's large heart, solidity of character, determination and hard work, love of nature and his fellow man, depth of character and influence on those around him are all worthy of admiration and inspiration.
His gentle, patient, determined pursuit of his "dream girl" is nothing short of breathtaking, wonderful and heartful. This story is exquisite in the most simplistic and human ways and as with all Limberlost tales, otherworldly in that it will transport you to a time and place that feels untouched by all that takes away joy and life.
It is hard to find the words worthy of describing an unforgettable and soulful story of love! Love of that which God has crafted for us in nature and the passionate, beautiful pursuit and love of a man for a woman. "The Harvester" is worthy of being read yearly by those souls who desire to be lost and found in its wonder and magic over and over again.
David Langston's story is based on the life of Henry David Thoreau. David, also referred to as the "Medicine Man" or "The Harvester" is a man and hero seldom written about or found in the world anymore. David's large heart, solidity of character, determination and hard work, love of nature and his fellow man, depth of character and influence on those around him are all worthy of admiration and inspiration.
His gentle, patient, determined pursuit of his "dream girl" is nothing short of breathtaking, wonderful and heartful. This story is exquisite in the most simplistic and human ways and as with all Limberlost tales, otherworldly in that it will transport you to a time and place that feels untouched by all that takes away joy and life.
It is hard to find the words worthy of describing an unforgettable and soulful story of love! Love of that which God has crafted for us in nature and the passionate, beautiful pursuit and love of a man for a woman. "The Harvester" is worthy of being read yearly by those souls who desire to be lost and found in its wonder and magic over and over again.
August 6, 2022
My favorite GS-P by far, so far. I have a pretty copy somewhere at home, but I read this on kindle while on the road.
June 16, 2016
The self summary says it all; "Pristine", "Idyllic bliss", "alluring”, "pure, unspoiled". Gene Stratton-Porter is the master of Utopia. Definitely not for the romantically "challenged" or faint of heart for Ms. Porter is also the master of emotional swooning--enough so to cause a pleasant roll of the eyes until she captures you in the story, as she undoubtedly will, and the eye rolling stops and you willingly go along for the ride among perfect people and places (much more enticing than any prince charming or castle on the hill) because it's oh so fun and refreshing!
Ms. Porters own words capture the essence of her stories perfectly: "For every bad man and woman I have ever known, I have met . . . an overwhelming number of thoroughly clean and decent people who still believe in God and cherish high ideals, and it is upon the lives of these people that I base what I write. To contend that this does not produce a picture true to life is idiocy. It does. It produces a picture true to ideal life; to the best that good men and good women can do at level best.
I care very little for the . . . critics who proclaim that there is no such thing as a moral man, and that my pictures of life are sentimental and idealized. They are! And I glory in them! They are straight, living pictures from the lives of men and women of morals, honor, and loving kindness. . . .
Such a big majority of book critics and authors have begun to teach, whether they really believe it or not, that no book is true to life unless it is true to the worst in life."
And to that I say BRAVO! I am charmed by her world and by the hope it gives me for ours.
Ms. Porters own words capture the essence of her stories perfectly: "For every bad man and woman I have ever known, I have met . . . an overwhelming number of thoroughly clean and decent people who still believe in God and cherish high ideals, and it is upon the lives of these people that I base what I write. To contend that this does not produce a picture true to life is idiocy. It does. It produces a picture true to ideal life; to the best that good men and good women can do at level best.
I care very little for the . . . critics who proclaim that there is no such thing as a moral man, and that my pictures of life are sentimental and idealized. They are! And I glory in them! They are straight, living pictures from the lives of men and women of morals, honor, and loving kindness. . . .
Such a big majority of book critics and authors have begun to teach, whether they really believe it or not, that no book is true to life unless it is true to the worst in life."
And to that I say BRAVO! I am charmed by her world and by the hope it gives me for ours.
April 27, 2010
This was such a sweet story. It concerns a man named David Langston who harvests herbs (Harvester!) to sell to druggists and doctors to cure people from their ailments. He is somewhat a loner and his best friends are his dog Belshazzar, his horse Betsy, and all the wildlife in the Medicine Woods. One day after getting upset when his dog "tells" him he should get married (David asked Bel!) he dreams of a beautiful girl. When he awakes he forgives Belshazzar for "telling" him to go courting that year and then because the dream was so real to him he begins preparing a home for her and other necessary things for a bride. After everything is prepared, David decides to wait till she comes.
But one day when he is delivering some herbs, he sees a girl who looks just like his "Dream Girl". Unfortunately, he loses sight of her and then desperately tries searching for her everywhere in any kind of way. It soon seems he'll never find her but then one day when he's gone retrieving a tool he left near a bed of herb plants he sees her! She's living with her dying aunt and mean uncle. Can he win her love? Can she be his wife? A whole fold of adventures occur with these questions. David loves her with all his heart. You'll have to find out what happens by reading this.
It was a very romantic story and simply put --- wonderful in every way with Gene Stratton-Porter's excellent writing style. You'll fall in love with the Medicine woods and the wildlife. It's a forgotten classic that truly deserves higher recognition. I read it from the ebook on Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/349
But one day when he is delivering some herbs, he sees a girl who looks just like his "Dream Girl". Unfortunately, he loses sight of her and then desperately tries searching for her everywhere in any kind of way. It soon seems he'll never find her but then one day when he's gone retrieving a tool he left near a bed of herb plants he sees her! She's living with her dying aunt and mean uncle. Can he win her love? Can she be his wife? A whole fold of adventures occur with these questions. David loves her with all his heart. You'll have to find out what happens by reading this.
It was a very romantic story and simply put --- wonderful in every way with Gene Stratton-Porter's excellent writing style. You'll fall in love with the Medicine woods and the wildlife. It's a forgotten classic that truly deserves higher recognition. I read it from the ebook on Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/349
May 9, 2014
Another lovely story from Mrs. Stratton-Porter. This one has the same landscape and trademark story telling of Freckles and Girl of the Limberlost but has an entirely different feel. Unlike the coming of age and journey to happiness through self-reliance that we see in the first two Limberlost books, this one more of a grown up romance. Innocent and lovely and inspiring but less instructive and gritty and compelling. I enjoyed this book very much for its beautiful prose and lovely descriptions. The characters are a little less complex than those of some of her other stories. The theme of natural medicine, however, is powerful and totally inspiring. I will re-read this book because of the education it gives to me about beneficial plants and beautiful wildlife.
February 5, 2014
There are a lot of sweet moments here. The Harvester gives a great case for the importance of virtue and why it is worthwhile. I enjoyed the book but don't think it is her best. I would start with "Girl of the Limberlost" if you are a beginning Gene Stratton-Porter fan. You realize she is the bird woman right?
As much as I wanted to I just couldn't fall in love with the Harvester. He is a bit of a control freak and has exact ideas of how a sweetheart should be. I felt like he was too controlling with her and not able to accept her the way she was. A bit irritating but he does come around. I think his problem is that he spent just a few too many years at home with his Mother.
As much as I wanted to I just couldn't fall in love with the Harvester. He is a bit of a control freak and has exact ideas of how a sweetheart should be. I felt like he was too controlling with her and not able to accept her the way she was. A bit irritating but he does come around. I think his problem is that he spent just a few too many years at home with his Mother.
September 3, 2018
This is a beautiful book. I savored every bit. It has a lot of sweet romance but also shows good virtues in the characters. It is a story of man searching for his love and doing everything and anything to win her love and give her happiness. It tells that true love is not a feeling, but an action and a choice that never dies and endures much. It is so dreamy and a must-read for every romancer out there.
March 20, 2021
Spring's arrival always gives me a hankering to read The Harvester again...such a satisfying re-read!
September 14, 2025
I'm definitely going to come back to this book again sometime.
I learned a lot about courtship, the impact of a mother, hard work and choosing a career, personal integrity and true love.
True love is the kind where you love someone enough that you're willing to let them go if that's what is best for them and will make them the happiest. When you really love someone, you're more interested in their well being than in what you personally want.
One of my favorite quotes:
"That's the bedrock of all the trouble on the earth. We are a nation and a part of the world that spends our time on seeming. Our whole outer crust is seeming. When we get beneath the surface and strike the being, then we live as we are privileged by the almighty. What concerns me is how something is, I don't think I give a tinker how anything seems."
--The Harvester
I learned a lot about courtship, the impact of a mother, hard work and choosing a career, personal integrity and true love.
True love is the kind where you love someone enough that you're willing to let them go if that's what is best for them and will make them the happiest. When you really love someone, you're more interested in their well being than in what you personally want.
One of my favorite quotes:
"That's the bedrock of all the trouble on the earth. We are a nation and a part of the world that spends our time on seeming. Our whole outer crust is seeming. When we get beneath the surface and strike the being, then we live as we are privileged by the almighty. What concerns me is how something is, I don't think I give a tinker how anything seems."
--The Harvester
May 22, 2020
Reread 5/19/2020 + 5/20/2020:
This book gets weirder on every reread. This is true, but I still love it. We're both of us weird ducks anyways.
This book gets weirder on every reread. This is true, but I still love it. We're both of us weird ducks anyways.
April 21, 2024
Love Gene Stratton-Porter! Not my favorite of hers, but still great!
August 11, 2020
"I've a commission for you South Wind, go and find my Dream Girl."
This book is running a close tie for my favorite book.
She brings all nature alive again as you dive into the emotional twists and turns. Teaching you valuable things about life and plants, I would read it again!
This book is running a close tie for my favorite book.
She brings all nature alive again as you dive into the emotional twists and turns. Teaching you valuable things about life and plants, I would read it again!
August 28, 2015
David Langston, known as "the Harvester" or the "Medicine Man" to people in the town, lives out in the forest and harvest plants and herbs that are used to make medicines for doctors to give their patients. One morning, he decides it is finally time to find a wife. After having a dream about the girl he should marry, without even meeting her, he builds a beautiful home to bring her to. Then, one day, he sees her in real life, and has to search for her. And once he finds her, he needs to court her and convince her to marry him.
Ruth, an orphan sent to live with her aunt and uncle, is in an impossible situation when she meets the Harvester. When he offers her an escape, it sets her life on a road she never imagined.
Such a sweet story, and although the beginning was slow, the ending made up for it. I loved how David had such amazing attention to detail, and how much he cherished Ruth.
Ruth, an orphan sent to live with her aunt and uncle, is in an impossible situation when she meets the Harvester. When he offers her an escape, it sets her life on a road she never imagined.
Such a sweet story, and although the beginning was slow, the ending made up for it. I loved how David had such amazing attention to detail, and how much he cherished Ruth.
March 31, 2011
I really liked the characters in this book - very life-like and realistic. The Harvester, David Langston, was hardworking, resourceful, and caring. It was interesting to read about how he cultivated his herbs on his land and sold them to doctors and druggists. He was quite successful in making a living through it. I liked Ruth too: so nice she got to have such a good life after some hardships she faces earlier! Granny Moreland was hilarious, I thought. There were references to evolution now and then and the Harvester does pray a little different as well; there are some Mother Nature elements that I don't particularly appreciate. It's not too pervading, though, and I did enjoy this book a lot. :) The story ends really well with all the characters living happily ever after!
January 14, 2017
Love how Gene Stratton-Porter writes, so was excited to read The Harvester. It's a sweet love story, of how the Harvester woos his Dream-Girl, and as always, the beautiful world is described in vivid detail by Mrs. Porter's pen. It moved a little slowly at the beginning and I didn't care for some of the beliefs portrayed in it (specifically concerning nature and death), which is why it's not a favorite, but still a good, sweet read. I prefer A Girl of the Limberlost and A Daughter of the Land over The Harvester.
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