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Bebee Or Two Little Wooden Shoes
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170 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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About the author
Ouida
1,057 books56 followersOuida 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 Frenchwith whom Ouida deeply identifiedand, 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.
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 Frenchwith whom Ouida deeply identifiedand, 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.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 24, 2014
This is a short story (132 pages) very similar in some ways (and different in yet others) to Ouida's full length novel, Signa.
Here we have an orphan girl who was found among the reeds and water lilies as a baby and brought up by an old man and his wife in Brussels.
She is hardworking and kind and the neighbors dote on her for she always thinks of those less fortunate than herself and has time for the young and old alike.
At age sixteen, Bebee finds herself alone. Old Antoine has died and left the little hut to her. She carries on selling flowers in the city and tending her garden at home. She is naive and trusts the goodness and honesty of all. This is probably her finest quality and her worst fault .
One day, she is approached by a handsome young man in velveteen; an artist with a slick tongue and sly ways. He offers her fine, fashionable things ...without result. He offers her gold... without result. He offers her books and knowledge...ah! the hook has snagged. He offers her love...
This book has an almost fairytale feel to it. Think, Orphelia meets the Big Bad Wolf and you get an idea. Its melodramatic and flowery and won't appeal to everyone but I think its great. It also teaches a good moral lesson that every young woman should heed.
CONTENT: G
*This book is free on Public Domain and the kindle version is very readable with few typos.
Here we have an orphan girl who was found among the reeds and water lilies as a baby and brought up by an old man and his wife in Brussels.
She is hardworking and kind and the neighbors dote on her for she always thinks of those less fortunate than herself and has time for the young and old alike.
At age sixteen, Bebee finds herself alone. Old Antoine has died and left the little hut to her. She carries on selling flowers in the city and tending her garden at home. She is naive and trusts the goodness and honesty of all. This is probably her finest quality and her worst fault .
One day, she is approached by a handsome young man in velveteen; an artist with a slick tongue and sly ways. He offers her fine, fashionable things ...without result. He offers her gold... without result. He offers her books and knowledge...ah! the hook has snagged. He offers her love...
This book has an almost fairytale feel to it. Think, Orphelia meets the Big Bad Wolf and you get an idea. Its melodramatic and flowery and won't appeal to everyone but I think its great. It also teaches a good moral lesson that every young woman should heed.
CONTENT: G
*This book is free on Public Domain and the kindle version is very readable with few typos.
August 13, 2011
Every teenage girl should read this book. It is a fictional account of how naivety can confound the heart.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews