Hildegarde's Holiday: A sequel to Queen Hildegarde

Hildegarde #2

by Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards

Hildegarde's Holiday - A sequel to Queen Hildegarde is an unchanged, high-quality reprint of the original edition of 1891. Hansebooks is editor of the literature on different topic areas such as research and science, travel and expeditions, cooking and nutrition, medicine, and other genres. As a publisher we focus on the preservation of historical literature. Many works of historical writers and scientists are available today as antiques only. Hansebooks newly publishes these books and contributes to the preservation of literature which has become rare and historical knowledge for the future.

388 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1891

About the author

Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards (27 February, 1850 – 14 January, 1943) was an American writer. She often published as Laura E. Richards & wrote more than 90 books including biographies, poetry, and several for children.

Her father was Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe, an abolitionist and the founder of the Perkins Institution and Massachusetts School for the Blind. She was named after his famous deaf-blind pupil Laura Bridgman. Her mother Julia Ward Howe wrote the words to "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".

Reviews

[Abigail]

Hildegarde Grahame - erstwhile spoiled society girl, whose reformation, during the course of a summer in the country with her mother's former nurse, is chronicled in Queen Hildegarde - returns in this second novel devoted to her adventures. A year has passed since the events of that earlier season, and Hildegarde, together with Rose Chirk - a once crippled young woman, formerly known by the sobriquet 'Pink' (her given name being the rather outlandish Pinkrosia), whom Hildegarde had befriended, together with her younger brother Bubble, during that fateful summer stay in Glenfield - now recovering from the surgery that would allow her to walk once more, embark on another fun-filled summer holiday. Invited to visit Hildegarde's cousin, Miss Wealthy Bond, at her home in Bywood, Maine, on the banks of the beautiful Kennebee River, the two friends pass a pleasant summer - swimming, resting, and keeping fussy, but goodhearted Cousin Wealthy company. Not unexpectedly, opportunities for doing good arise, even on holiday, and Hildegarde and Rose rise to the occasion, helping not just a group of convalescent children in need of some cool refreshment, but Cousin Wealthy herself, who has long been nursing a terrible hurt...

Although I wouldn't say it had quite the same appeal as the initial title, I still found Hildegarde's Holiday to be an immensely engaging story, with plenty of appealing characters and entertaining narrative incidents. Cousin Wealthy herself, so fussy and exact, but so very loving and kindhearted; good Martha, the saintly housekeeper who keeps her aureole hidden (and I love the little aside, when Hildegarde asks her about it, and she thinks her inquisitor is asking about orioles! haha!); the gardener Jeremiah, whom the girls consider a "melancholy prophet;" the reputedly insane old miser, Galusha Pennypacker, who is not so crusty but that kindness can win him over; and Hildegarde and Rose themselves, always eager to learn more, each in her way, each exerting, all unaware, a wholesome pull on those around them. All of these make for pleasant reading, as do the many little subplots - the story of Aunt Caira Pennpacker, and the Queen of Sheba; the tale of Cousin Wealthy's love affair with Victor La Rose; the visit to the sick children at hospital - that make up the whole.

I was struck, in my reading, by how literary these heroines are, always quoting Shakespeare and Marlowe, and passionately discussing Ben Jonson and Sir Walter Scott. I have difficulty imagining sixteen-year-olds of today doing so! And I was likewise struck by the fact that each feels herself in need of more education, keeping little notebooks in which to jot down questions, to be investigated later. This sounds like something I would do! All in all, a sweet addition to the Hildegarde series, one that convinces me that I need to immediately pick up the next, Hildegarde's Home .

[Dianna]

Everything I've read by Laura Richards so far is just so pleasant and charming. Even though nothing much happened in this book by way of plot, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to reading more of her books!

[Jill Hobgood]

I did read some more of the Hildegarde books, including this one (see my review of Queen Hildegarde). Personally, I think the part of the title after the colon should read "In which nothing in particular happens." She visits a relative. She lounges. Pink, now completely cured, lounges. They casually meet neighbors. They do nice polite neighborly things with them. Her relative takes in a small boy. Everyone is happy with that. The holiday is over. The end. I would say this is of academic interest only, but I can't even come up with anything of academic value about this. Maybe if you're doing a study of all of Richards' books? If that's the case, vaya con Dios.

[Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all)]

Only three stars this time, because it took half of the book to get started in any real direction. Too much purple prose of the glories of nature, too many botany lessons disguised as trips down the river. Too much poetry, both the authoress' and other people's! I got so tired of Hilda reciting ballads to take up page space! Like you did. Not.

Halfway through, Richards realised she had to have at least a little bit of a plot, so she spit on her hands and got to work. The second half of the book is not half bad, though suddenly Hilda is an angel of light and Rose is her acolyte. I wish she had given Rose a better role, convalescent or not. And can we talk about the fact that Rose was paralysed for most of her short life? No mention of muscular atrophy or the fact that one operation (never discussed beyond the big emotional "she'll be fine in a few months" scene) would not undo years of sitting still. It's all down to the curative properties of milk, cake and fresh country air for everyone, even the dog, Jock.

[E. Joy]

Not quite up to the first one. With the endless descriptions of willows and river-water, alongside the constant quotation of poetry, this book didn't have the fluid ease of reading that I expected. Not much happens, and there is very little character growth. Not my favourite by a long shot, but still a decent book.

[Hannah Anthony]

Nothing like some old-fashioned middle-grade fiction for a little bedtime reading. For all the wholesomeness of her stories for girls, Richards is a clever writer and I find myself unexpectedly laughing out loud at some of her asides.

[Danada]

Very sweet story. It seems unbelievable that Rose (as she is now called) could walk so well so fast, but.... :shrugs: its a fantasy really. I love all the literary references. The ending is lovely.