Anne Ochs > Recent Status Updates

-the author warns expectant mothers to "not take to brandy" : "Just ask the schoolmaster whether the children whose fathers are always sitting in the inn are not the greatest dunces! This did make an impression; for the mothers never want to have stupid children; they would far, far rather have them naughty."

- the first sentence is captivating:
"The candle flame burned behind the glass globe of water, its light flooding over Isaac Peabody's hands as he sat at work on a high stool before his littered worktable."

I am not normally one to pay attention to a first sentence but golly, this made me pause only to read it over a few more times.

When this book was written (1932), the author had been a midwife in Germany for over 40 years. Some teachings would apply today. Her disgust with a parenting style she often saw in the early 1900's amused me. Today we would call it "gentle parenting".
Her response cracked me up:
pg 54 "It would be a good thing if before marriage people had to furnish a certificate that they know how to bring up children."

Lisbeth Burger wrote "All for the Love of Mothers" in 1932 after being a midwife for 40 years in a village in Germany.

After describing a child being brought up with what parents now would call "gentle parenting", she wrote:
pg 54 "It would be a good thing if before marriage people had to furnish a certificate that they know how to bring up children."

I know one shouldn't judge a book by its cover - but
The original painting on the cover of this little book is in the main sanctuary of The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. This rendition of St. Maria Goretti is beautifully done and depicts the amazing power of forgiveness.

G.K. was ahead of his time - or do we just keep repeating ourselves?

So far, I find this book ok - not captivating for I put it down for several days to read another book (a rarity).
The author inflicts too many medical details which I find myself skimming through. Possibly, this book is not meant for the squeamish.

Oh my, this is already a fun book.
Mrs. Wilkins to Mrs. Arbuthnot: "I'm sure it's wrong to go on being good for too long, till one gets miserable. And I can see you've been good for years and years, because you look so unhappy."

Each chapter of "The Innocence..." is a short crime story with Father Brown solving the mystery and hoping he can convert the criminal to turn from his/her way.
I have enjoyed the bits of wisdom and humor woven throughout the book.

I have to get this other quote in (used my quota in the former update.

pg 116 Father Brown is attempting to get Flambeau to make a choice:
"Men may keep a sort of level of good, but no man has ever been able to keep on one level of evil. That road goes down and down."

Father Brown solves a crimes in each chapter. Flambeau has been the only character I have seen throughout these first pages.

There are many quotes worth noting for their simplicity as well as provoking thought:
pg 6 "The most incredible thing about miracles is that they happen."
pg 9 "The criminal is the creative artist; the detective only the critic."