At the Foot of the Rainbow

by Gene Stratton-Porter

This is an amazing compilation of surprisingly entertaining and simple stories by Gene Porter. The characters, setting, dialogue, and virtues are classic. The issues and values discussed are timeless and presented in a thought-provoking manner. The conclusions of her stories uniquely leave one considering their own lives on a deeper level.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, American, Literature, Historical

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1907

About the author

She 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.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an engrossing story of friendship—close enough friendship that the better of the two men, in diligently covering for the weaker man's faults, sees only the man Jimmy could/should be and not the weak, cowardly man who lies and drinks and shirks. By contrast, we see how big a man Dannie really is, how strong a character he has.

Between the two men is the woman they have both loved for ages, Mary—Jimmy's wife. She is tired out and used up with Jimmy's slackness, and Jimmy himself is not grateful for her in the least. Yet there next door is Dannie, daily enduring double his work to serve his friend and the woman he loves, willing to torture himself with nearness to her simply because his friend needs him. What a tale of sacrificial love!

In all those heavier themes runs the underlying sage of the Black Bass and the men's friendly or not so friendly rivalry to be the man who finally lands the elusive fish.

[Victoria Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one wasn't my favorite Gene-Stratton Porter, but still a good tale!

[Laurissa Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good one as well! Out of her books that I've read, I would list this one as my least favorite. It had great descriptions and romance, as usual, and the author's typical wholesomeness. It did take a twist I wasn't expecting that was very well written but just not my favorite twist. Still though, I would recommend reading it:)

[Mitzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was hard to get into, but I am glad I stuck with it. You have to get used to the dialect of the characters, and it takes a little while... Once you do the story really starts to unfold, and it's pretty crazy. Basically it is about a co-dependent relationship between two men (friends, but more like brothers) and one woman. GSP really delves deep into the dynamics and underlying feelings involved in this triangle, in a way that I found to be authentically HUMAN. And the moral of the story isn't the typical "the truth will set you free", but instead "sometimes preserving a delusion is the best path to happiness."

Side note: When I started the book and was first introduced to the trouble making alcoholic character, from the way he was written I thought he was a teenager. I was shocked when it turned out that he was an older, married man. I think this was a brilliant way for GSP to establish his character, and the dynamic between him and his more mature, responsible friend. It's that kind of thing that makes me love her. :)

[Shelby Loren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read several of the authors works, and have liked them all. However, this one title was difficult for me to finish... The storyline is very slow, and made (for me) interesting reading. It took me forever to finish this book and I found myself finishing it in segments, between which I would read other books, which I never do. I stuck it out to the end though, and I am glad I did. The ending was good, but not quite enough to justify sitting through the tediousness of the rest of the novel. I like Gene Stratton-Porter, and I have read some of her other works multiple times, but I will not be picking this particular one up again.

[Kellyn Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread 5/21/2020:

I find myself appreciating this book a great deal more on the reread, enough to up the rating to 5 stars. I swear, Dannie is just so sweet and innocent, and I like Mary a lot more, and I understand Jimmy a lot better. I think it wasn't in 14- or 15-year-old me to quite grasp what was going on, all the little details that make a satisfying story.

On my blog, I said it drags. The solution is to read it all very quickly, which I now have. :P

Original Read:

Though definitely not my favorite, a definitely worthwhile read. Review here.

~Kellyn Roth

[Chloe Telian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book at a coffee shop/bookstore and was excited to read another of the author’s books. However, I noticed a difference from her other works right away. It is slower, difficult to read due to the dialect it’s written in, and it does not include much dialogue on nature as the author is known for. I kept with the book solely because I was interested in what the plot would turn out to be. In the end, I didn’t agree with the conclusion to the story; but I could get behind the underlying messages of commitment, intense friendship, and devotion.

[ShaLisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read several books by Gene Stratton-Porter and love them all for the same reason - they are idealistic showing how people can learn to love, change, forgive and become great in character with unselfish behaviors. This book is no different although I have enjoyed others more. Danny is a noble man and always one wished only a happy ending for the selfless man.

The book had an underlying theme being that sometimes truths that hurt are best left unsaid. Our words and actions should only ever build and uplift another. My spouse sometimes omits details as family drama unfolds for this very reason. I do not profit knowing negative things said or the poor behaviors of others so why generate negative thoughts and feelings by sharing everything.

At the beginning of this book was an autobiography of the author and that was my favorite read by far. What a remarkable person! What an inspiring author with great understanding and purpose. I do not know if this is in all copies or if I read another edition of this story but I am grateful for the insight of this woman who aspires to bless and uplift other with her love of nature as well as human nature.

[Lindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost put this book down. I never put a book down unread so that is saying something. I am really glad I kept reading.

This book begins with Jimmy who has a thick Scottish accent that is hard to read. The first two maybe three chapters were unbearably long. While the accent stays, the dialogue thins, and the narrator helps make the book comprehendible. The story is a beautiful one of true manhood and preserverence. I felt such and aching for Dannie and Mary that it was a physical tightness in my chest. It was a good read with many discussion points. I could see people either loving or hating this book with very few undecided about how they think it should have ended.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh what a trial this book was for me! This is one of my favorite authors and I was so excited to read another book from her but when I got into this one it was such a chore to get through the slang/writing style of the words. I absolutely loved the ending and the plot of the book was great. Friendship/love/self-sacrifice/betrayal if only the slang of the words were taken out this book I would have rated it 5 stars..krb 5/26/16

[Melody M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first GSP book I've read and I love it. I have read several parts several times and almost have them memorized.
This book is not at all slow-paced compared to A Girl of the Limberlost, which I hated for that reason. Also it is a bit hard to follow, and some parts only made sense the second time around, especially since I was younger and less able to follow the language the first time I read it.

[Graceann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this particular book as much as I have other Gene Stratton-Porter novels. It wasn't resolved to my satisfaction and I think it had rather a cynical viewpoint. Gene always wrote well, though, so even though I didn't care for the story, I'm glad I read the book.

[forthefamilyssake Hailey White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the honest of this story, as well as the ending. Although I found myself wanting the ending to unfold differently initially, I grew to understand the humanness of it. Very thought provoking. I will definitely read it again.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Gene Stratton-Porter's books but this one was depressing and didn't have the conservation and love of the land theme that most of her books have. This one had a lot of hunting and dealt with alcoholism. It was still a good book I just didn't enjoy it as much as I do most of hers.

[Elizabeth Gajdosik]

Gene Stratton-Porter is one of my favorite authors (top five) and I try to read one of her books every spring. I am sorry to say this one was not to my liking. So I think I'll go read Freckles for the 72nd time.

[Eileen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Long, slow tragedy. If these people would just communicate they would have no problems.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gene Stratton Porter's books are the equivalent of comfort food for me. Always thick with natural history. Good triumphs over evil. Characters I can root for. Love this author.

[Willow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is difficult to process. One character is selfish, spiteful, and deceitful, while the other is so devoted to him that it is harmful enablement. The two embody the extreme poles of personal character: baseness vs. honor, sloth vs. industry, apathy vs. consideration, vice vs. self-control.

The trust placed in the untrustworthy was painful to see fleshed out. The misuse of a friendship as a means to shirk duties, neglect a spouse, and live irresponsibly was repulsive. The faithfulness of the friend who consistently bailed out his ungrateful companion, though meant with the best of intentions, created a beast that only took further advantage of everything good while growing more base.

The ending was unsatisfying. I have rather mixed feelings about it. The messages of the book as a whole elude me, as well; I feel like it is maybe helping us to see that being a faithful friend is good, but it ceases to be good if it provides the means of keeping someone from taking responsibility for his own life/actions which hurts himself and those near him. That maybe love has to be tough sometimes and speak the truth, stepping back and allowing natural consequences to do some teaching in order to produce healthy growth--except that the ending left the person in need of realizing all that, instead placing the unworthy man on an ever higher shining pedestal.

It is a deeply unsettling message. Perhaps I missed the point. Perhaps the point was to believe the best of someone and continue loving them even when they are unlovable, even when they hurt you. Perhaps it was a picture of magnanimity and forgiveness and goodwill. Perhaps it was self-sacrifice and caring for others. These are all beautiful things. I just feel like the message was unbalanced and somewhat bewildering. Sort of like real life, I guess. Difficult problems, circumstances hard to figure out, allegiances tricky, and meanwhile, we just do the best we know how and hope we're getting something right.

Note: Much swearing and misuse of God's name.
In all the dialogue, the Scotch brogue was spelled phonetically and was challenging and cumbersome to read.

In the edition I read was included a lovely biographical sketch, "Gene Stratton-Porter: A Little Story of her Life and Work." What a remarkable person she was! Through many years of meticulous, even dangerous field research, she accumulated a vast store of knowledge of nature in her small corner of the world. A naturalist, self-taught scientist and researcher and photographer, writer and author, wife and mother, manager of an estate and home, etc, etc, her life story is fascinating and inspiring.

I have greatly enjoyed her other books (and still have several on my to-read list). While this wasn't my favorite of her nature novels, it does leave me with much to puzzle over, and at the very least, the desire to be a good friend that can tell the truth and help another to grow as I learn to grow myself.

[ETHAN KING · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting book, with a pretty mature plot. Overall, I would recommend that teens read some of Gene Stratton Porter's other books and also age a few years before reading this one. It was filled with what many would call profanity, I would classify it as mild language, things like the d word, hold smokes, nothing worse than those though. Why was there language in the book? I would say it was to develop the characters, especially considering that none of Gene's other books have language (to my understanding). The characters talked in strong accents, which went along with the language, to the point where it would be hard to read for many readers.
CONTENT: No inappropriate content, the language that I mentioned, and the book dealt with the topic of alcohol (in a teaching manner)
Overall, an interesting read, I would recommend for older teens. Not nearly as good as Freckles or A Girl of the Limberlost.

[I ❤️📚]

This book was chosen to meet a criteria for a reading challenge. Omg, what did I just read?! It’s the story of two men in love with the same woman.

At the Foot Of the Rainbow is the story of Jimmy Malone and  Dannie Micnoun, an Irish and a Scottish immigrant living at the foot of the Rainbow River in late 19th century Indiana..  Both young men have been the best of friends since childhood, unfortunately both men are in love with the same woman, Mary. Although, it is Jimmy who wins Mary’s hand in marriage, Dannie remains a faithful friend to the couple, keeping his true feelings to himself, even as he watches his best friend become a drunkard, and Mary suffers...but after fifteen years a most unusual occurrence reveals an undisclosed truth, and the long time friends must deal with a new twist in their relationship

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must say that I listened to this through Libravox and the narrator of the first chapter gave Jimmy such a accent that I almost gave up the book. Thankfully he only read one chapter and I held on.

So this is the story of Jimmy, Mary and Danny. Danny has loved Mary all his life and Jimmy has been his best friend all his life.

But Jimmy married Mary knowing Danny loved her. And Jimmy spent 15 years being a drunk, letting Danny do most of the chores on his land, knowing Danny had a farm of his own. And Jimmy and Mary had three stillborn babies to which Jimmy never asked a doctor or a priest how to fix it.

It really brings about a lot of questions. About moral responsibility. I don't want to spoil it, but it did bring about discussions with my friends over what happens and how it ends.

[AngieA Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

"At the Foot of the Rainbow" is not "Freckles" or (my favorite) "Girl of the Limberlost." It had dialect for the characters, Dannie (Scottish) and Jimmy (Irish) which hampered reading in the beginning. It was quite a melodramatic story and evryone got their just reward. What I missed most, though, was Stratton-Porter's description of nature; trees, flowers, animals, birds, bugs, fish, you name it, we usually get lots of info and while muskrats and fish were mentioned, they did not get the spotlight they usually do. Would it have helped the story; I'm not sure. The plot was a bit of a cliche and it took the well-traveled road. I am happy to say I have read it as I want to read all her works.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gene Stratton-Porter was a favourite of my mother and so I decided to read this damaged book before I threw it away.
I had neither realised it was published in 1906 nor that it was central USA with heavy Irish language and Catholic overtones. This made it not an easy read.

The staunch friendship and devotion which were the theme of the book seemed somewhat unrealistic in the light of today’s egotistical society. Such hard work was necessary just to survive in these times. And I guess that was my mother, a selfless hardworking woman caring more for the needs of others than herself. She would have resonated with the book and with the happy if not moralistic tone of the ending.

[Maribeth Van loon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would in some ways like to give this 4 1/2 stars. It is not my favorite Porter book, but it has much to recommend it. The story, as all hers, reminds us of the refining power of a life of work and attention to nature. There is the usual wholesome freshness and strength of character that is rare with 21st century literature. Interestingly, though love is a bit idealized and discretion is scrupulous (pregnancy is referred to rather obliquely, for example) there is also a remarkably modern take on codependent relationships that enable weaknesses to grow.

[Joy Gerbode · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of two men who work their farms and trap lines together as neighbors, and yet as rivals ... and who both love the same woman, married to one of the men, but has always been in love with the other. Yet this is not a sordid story ... for the single man loves the other man as a dear friend, and would not do anything to hurt his friend. A story of friendship, rivalry, guilt, and finally, forgiveness and love.

[Alandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a story of enablement; basically a cautionary tale to not be a horrible friend like Jimmy (lying, lazy, selfish, drunk, etc) and not to be a horrible friend like Dannie (loving and selfless but completely enabling of said behaviors). It was an engrossing love story, though I didn't like some elements of the ending.
If you're in the mood for a dramatic, Indiana wilderness love triangle story, this is the book for you. 😅

[SANDYE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, heartwarming, classic romance

From beginning to end I had a favorite character that I was rooting for every page I turned! I won't include any spoliers, suffice it to say though that the ending is beautiful!! The story itself is chock full of descriptive imagery that indulged every sense you have. I look forward to reading more stories by Gene Stratton-Porter!!

[Pam Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved author Gene Stratton-Porters' descriptions of the land and wildlife. I saw the love and difficulties of being totally self sustaining in 1900. Selfish Jimmy Malone married Mary Malone. Scotsman Dannie Micnoun lived in the cabin nearby and spent his life helping Jimmy and Mary while silently loving Mary. Beautiful descriptions of the flora and fauna of the Wabash.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't my favorite Gene Stratton Porter book, but I am always impressed by her characters and how good they are in trying circumstances. I always want to be better after and when I'm reading her books.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bond of Friends

What a precious story of friendship, love and delight. Sweet friendship between Jimmy and Dannie. Dannie does all he can to help Jimmy, but he can't save his soul. And Jimmy doesn't love like Dannie. Wonderful, wise account of two friends and one woman.