A Flat Iron for a Farthing

by Juliana Horatia Ewing

Some Passages in the Life of an only Son'

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1872

About the author

Born in 1841, Juliana Horatia Gatty was the daughter of the Rev. Alfred Gatty, a Church of England vicar, and an author, and of Margaret Gatty, also an author. She was married to Major Alexander Ewing, of the British army pay department, in 1867, relocating with him to New Brunswick, Canada, for the first two years of their marriage. Although Major Ewing was posted abroad again, in 1879 and 1881, Mrs. Ewing was prevented from accompanying him by ill health. She moved to Bath in 1885, in the hopes that the change would improve her health, but she died there that same year.

Juliana Horatia Ewing - sometimes also styled Juliana Horatia Gatty Ewing, or just "Mrs. Ewing" - is credited by Roger Lancelyn Green as being the author of the the "first outstanding child-novels" in English literature. In addition to her children's novels, Ewing also edited a number of magazines for young readers, including the Nursery Magazines (from 1856), the Monthly Packet and the monthly Aunt Judy's Magazine (both from 1866).

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remember that old Virginia Slims ad, "You've come a long way, Baby?" The thought crossed my mind as I read this delightful bit of high Victoriana. Children's books have evolved since Mrs. Ewing's day - and yet in some respects, she is a spot on an author as any contemporary, from J.K. Rowling to Jeanne Birdsall. Her young hero faces all the big issues of childhood: death, spirituality, friendship, who are my protectors/enemies/Who am I and what I am doing here? Slow in pace, beautifully written, Mrs. Ewing's tale compared favorably in my mind with David Copperfield and the novels of Frances Hodgson Burnett. And that title - come on! How could I resist A Flat Iron for a Farthing? I succumbed, happily.

[Martyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this one. The title alone is terrific. A Flat Iron for a Farthing. Having already read a few of J.H.Ewing's books I didn't come to it with high expectations, and had a sense of what to expect, but I was also in the right frame of mind for reading this piece of Victorian children's literature and it suited me down to the ground and I found it thoroughly satisfying and full of charm. It could be described as slow-paced, but in reality the chapters are short and plenty happens. There is just something about the manner of the narrative which makes it feel leisurely. And actually Ewing achieved something remarkable. Ordinarily I don't get along well with books written in the first person. This was a notable exception. Even though I never put myself in the place of the narrator or felt like I was inside his head, somehow I was able to observe him with perfect ease. Christianity was also dealt with in a favourable manner too. It was an engaging story and a very pleasant way to while away some time. It's probably not one that I would be eager to read again myself, but I wouldn't mind reading it to children as a bedtime story. It also deals with some serious matters of life too, in a manner that could act as a good basis for initiating conversation with children about issues which may be affecting them.

[Estott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little gem of a book

Sweet and charming, but never cloying. There is moral advice, but not too much, and it is beautifully written. Just the right length.

[Pollymoore3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this by chance, very reasonably priced, in a local Oxfam shop. It's a very pretty 1920s edition, belonging to a little girl in 1927 according to the flyleaf. Its humour and realism successfully balance both the morality necessary to any Victorian children's story, and the class obsessions of the day (don't let your children associate too much with the servants, lest they pick up "low" language...)
A farthing was worth one quarter of an old pre-decimal penny, and was pocket-money change even in Regie's day. The flat-iron and other tiny items the children buy at the ironmonger's are doll's house goods; irresistible.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely

Such a great remembrance as told to the main character’s children. And it let you forget completely about the most important incident until it was the key. Just really nice people having a very nice life (with normal amounts of tragedy) and bearing up as well as can be expected. I found it mentioned in another, slight less old book (O.Douglas’ A House of Our Own) and well worth looking it up!

[Rachel Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gentle victorian children's book. Characters affectionately drawn - sentimental but not sickly. A period piece and a nice window into late C19th childhood.

[Anna]

Read in The Favourite Wonder Book.

[Stina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just tales that span from early childhood to marriage in a man's life. Some are kind of amusing, in other places to story drags. It's good enough if you like the time period and are merely looking for a book to kill a little free time.

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book. Interesting for anyone who likes Regency England. Mostly life in a small town and the life of a young boy as he grows up.