The Nurnberg Stove

by Ouida

It was very dark in the closed truck, which had only a little window above the door; and it was crowded, and had a strong smell in it from the Russian hides and the hams that were in it. But August was not frightened; he was close to Hirschvogel, and presently he meant to be closer still; for he meant to do nothing less than get inside Hirschvogel

Genres: Childrens, Fiction

52 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

About the author

Ouida was the pen name of the English novelist Maria Louise Ramé (although she preferred to be known as Marie Louise de la Ramée).

During her career, she wrote more than 40 novels, children's books and collections of short stories and essays. She was an animal rights activist and animal rescuer, and at times owned as many as thirty dogs. For many years she lived in London, but about 1874 she went to Italy, where she died.

Ouida's work went through several phases during her career. In her early period, her novels were a hybrid of the sensationalism of the 1860s and the proto-adventure novels dubbed "muscular fiction" that were emerging in part as a romanticization of imperial expansion. Later her work was more along the lines of historical romance, though she never stopped comment on contemporary society. She also wrote several stories for children. One of her most famous novels, Under Two Flags, described the British in Algeria in the most extravagant of terms, while nonetheless also expressing sympathy for the French—with whom Ouida deeply identified—and, to some extent, the Arabs. This book went on to be staged in plays, and subsequently to be turned into at least three movies, transitioning Ouida in the 20th century.

Jack London cites her novel Signa, which describes an unschooled Italian peasant child who achieves fame as an opera composer, and which he read at age eight, as one of the eight reasons for his literary success.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an odd story for children. A little 9-year-old boy, August, discovers that his indebted father has sold the beautiful stove that warms August and his 9 brothers and sisters. August decides to go with the stove as it it shipped to the new owner. He runs away and manages to get inside the (now empty) stove without being seen. The stove is delivered to the king of Germany, who discovers August inside. August begs to be allowed to stay with his beloved stove, and the king grants his wish, and promises to send August to art school when he gets older.

Again, the child had a beloved STOVE.

[Ray Knickmeyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, dear Hirschvogel, how I weep for the loss of you! How I wish I could curl up, like a small hedgehog in your warmth! Yes, Hirschvogel, truly you are the source of all joy and wonder and art in this cold and terrible world! The very soul, yes soul, of craftsmanship never seen before or since! All imitations are a scourge on earthly beauty! At first, you were but a strange story about a boy and his stove, but now, now I understand true passion and true wonder!

(More seriously: I've never really read anything quite like this book. It's not from an historical era I really know anything about, and I read it because I found it at the used book store, and it was so small, and odd, and there was this one line about hedgehogs...

Anyway, it's a weird little thing, an oddity of its time probably, but it amused me and made for an entertaining Sunday afternoon read. Also, I know a lot more about antique stoves now than I did yesterday, so there's that.)

[Gale · Rating 3 out of 5]

A WARM, FAMILY FRIEND
(NB: This review applies to the PLAY version by Harriet Dexter, which was based on Ouida's original novel.)

Eleven-year-old Tina is the self-appointed guardian angel to the family's historic and artistic focal point: an antique stove, decorated by a Renaissance master. A gift to the impoverished Strehla family (father and four daughters) from their grandfather, the stove is considered a legitimate member of the family by creative Tina, who calls Hirschvogel by name and insists on feeding him (wood) with her own hand. The girl who was named after the creative genius proves the stove's most loyal champion.

Hard times and threatened layoffs force Karl Strehla to sell the beloved heirloom--despite the shocked protests of his devastated daughters. Refusing to accept this parental dictate, Tina undertakes various juvenile methods to prevent Hirschvogel's loss to callous strangers, who won't even know his name!

This short story reads fast (99% dialogue, after all) presenting a charming little play in four scenes, running about 90 minutes. Ideal for school, college or Little Theatre production. Based on the children' story by Ouida (who also penned The Dog of Flanders), this play offers a lighthearted read. Of course it is unrealistic to compare a play to its prose inspiration, but such a work might help popularize her children's novels. The audience will recognize simple, homespun family values and childlike ingenuity. In this case the resourceful girl (a boy in the original) takes courage from her spunky grandmother to inititate proactive behavior to save her special friend. In the end Tina must choose between Hirschvogel or the family's economic situation; she may only rescue one, so they both are in her tender hands.

(May 26, 2012. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

So charming; especially those magical antiques that come to life in the middle of the night! This little "children's story" is filled with the history of Western material culture.