Eugene Field - The House: An Episode in the Lives of Reuben Baker, Astronomer and His Wife Alice

by Eugene Field

Eugene Field was born on 2nd September 1850 in St. Louis, Missouri. His mother died when he was six and his father when he was nineteen. His academic life was not taken seriously and he preferred the life of a prankster until, in 1875, he began work as a journalist for the St. Joseph Gazette in Saint Joseph, Missouri. In his career as a journalist he soon found a niche that suited him. His articles were light, humorous and written in a personal gossipy style that endeared him to his readership. Some were soon being syndicated to other newspapers around the States. Field soon rose to city editor of the Gazette. Field had first published poetry in 1879, when his poem ‘Christmas Treasures’ appeared. This was the beginning that would eventually number over a dozen volumes. As well as verse Field published an extensive range of short stories including ‘The Holy Cross’ and ‘Daniel and the Devil.’ In 1889 whilst the family were in London and Field himself was recovering from a bout of ill health he wrote his most famous poem; ‘Lovers Lane’. On 4th November 1895 Eugene Field Sr died in Chicago of a heart attack at the age of 45.

82 pages, Paperback

First published August 21, 2015

Reviews

[David Dreith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the read for the over zealous vocabulary arranged in chortle worthy turns of phrases. I had known Field from a childhood favorite poem - “The Duel”. So when I saw this book in an antique store I had to read.

About a family purchasing the house just before the turn of the century, the book definitely includes dated humor and dynamics – think The Carousel of Progress at Disney World. Nonetheless, it’s short and a reminder that there is nothing new under the sun.

[Jane Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The House" is the third book in a series of twelve written by Eugene Field. "The House" has a copyright date of 1896 which caught my attention since we just purchased a Queen Anne Victorian home from the same year. Mr. Field was a "humorist" author born in 1850. He primarily wrote essays and newspaper articles and often used his own life to reflect and project his humor onto fictional characters. The full title of the book is "The House...An episode in the lives of Reuben Baker, Astronomer, and of his wife Alice". Even though the book is number 3 in the series it was the last book Mr. Field produced as he passed away suddenly at the age of 45 from a heart attack. The book acknowledges his death as it ends abruptly without resolution. Joel Harris writes the introduction to the book and explains Mr. Field had "but one chapter to complete it". The book properly begins with the chapter "We buy a place" and continues with the everyday trials and tribulations of buying a home in late 1800's. The book is said to be autobiographical. Mr. Baker is a witty and reflective character with a strong and independent wife Alice. Much the same in Mr. Field's life, Mr. Baker acknowledges his wife to be the "Captain" of their lives and consults with her on financial decisions. I found it refreshing to have a husband respect his wife's intelligence and honor her decisions in the Victorian times. Mr. Field's book reflected his admiration for his own wife. "The House" is interesting in that there is little change between buying a home in the late 1800's and now. I was surprised and amused when I read how Mr. Baker was attempting to green his lawn during a drought, only to be "caught" by a neighbor for using his water during restricted hours. Seems there was an ordinance even then, to conserve water during a drought. Mr. Baker gets involved with the remodeling and redecorating of their new home and discovers he's getting a "Butler's pantry" instead of a nice library. He reason's with Alice that one doesn't need a "Butler's pantry" if you have no butler...but she lets him know that doesn't matter and that everyone has a "Butler's pantry". Mr. Baker also embarks on changing the street name of their home on "Mush Street" to "Clarendon Ave" when Alice declares she loves the home but will not reside in a home with such an address as "Mush Street". Another beautiful aspect of reading a book written in the 1800's is the opportunity to enjoy rich prose. Cradling an old book in hand with beautiful binding, engraved illustrations separated by tissue, rag style edging and the smell of age create an ambiance that heightens the overall experience of reading a wonderful old book!