Every Friday, Marilyn Knapp Litt, who blogs at ClassicKindle.com, brings us her recommendation of a free classic book to discover (or rediscover) on Kindle. Find more of Marilyn’s recommendations at her blog, ClassicKindle.com, a guide to the best free and inexpensive classic literature for the Kindle. You can also get Marilyn’s blog on Kindle and I recommend that you “Like” the Classic Kindle Facebook page as well so you don’t miss anything. Here’s Marilyn’s post:

The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is famous as one of the first works of feminist fiction. it is an 1892 novella length work that enjoyed a renaissance in the 70’s when many women writers were rediscovered. Of course as an early movement member, she had not been forgotten; but her short story was not commonly anthologized.

Maybe today with debates about women in the headlines, it is time once again to see what a feminist thought in 1892 about how much say she had.

It is so discouraging not to have any advice and companionship about my work. When I get really well, John says we will ask Cousin Henry and Julia down for a long visit; but he says he would as soon put fireworks in my pillow-case as to let me have those stimulating people about now.

I wish I could get well faster.

AND

I cry at nothing, and cry most of the time. Of course I don’t when John is here, or anybody else, but when I am alone.

This book is also a psychological thriller crossed with early gothic literature, so it is a thought provoking read. Give it a try as an end to easy summer fiction.

Click here to get your free copy of The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman >>>

Every Friday, Marilyn Knapp Litt, who blogs at ClassicKindle.com, brings us her recommendation of a free classic book to discover (or rediscover) on Kindle. Find more of Marilyn’s recommendations at her blog, ClassicKindle.com, a guide to the best free and inexpensive classic literature for the Kindle. You can also get Marilyn’s blog on Kindle and I recommend that you “Like” the Classic Kindle Facebook page as well so you don’t miss anything. Here’s Marilyn’s post:

“Daddy Long Legs” is a 1912 epistolary novel by American writer Jean Webster. Whether or not you like a novel told through letters (and sometimes diaries and bits of written detritis), this is a wonderful book. I read it several times as a teenager and found it to be a magical tale of growing up and falling in love.

It is the story of an orphan who has a guardian who chooses to keep his identity secret, but who befriends her and pays for a quality education. You may remember the beautiful Fred Astaire movie with Leslie Caron. The book is more than satisfying!

‘Sit down, Jerusha, I have something to say to you.’ Jerusha dropped into the nearest chair and waited with a touch of breathlessness.

An automobile flashed past the window; Mrs. Lippett glanced after it.

‘Did you notice the gentleman who has just gone?’ ‘I saw his back.’ ‘He is one of our most affluential Trustees, and has given large sums of money towards the asylum’s support. I am not at liberty to mention his name; he expressly stipulated that he was to remain unknown.’

Jerusha’s eyes widened slightly; she was not accustomed to being summoned to the office to discuss the eccentricities of Trustees with the matron.

It gets better, she is going to be sent to college to become . . . a writer! And so the form is set and the rest of the book continues in letters:

. . .three things that I know:

I. You are tall.

II. You are rich

III. You hate girls.

I suppose I might call you Dear Mr. Girl-Hater. Only that’s rather insulting to me. Or Dear Mr. Rich-Man, but that’s insulting to you, as though money were the only important thing about you. Besides, being rich is such a very external quality. Maybe you won’t stay rich all your life; lots of very clever men get smashed up in Wall Street. But at least you will stay tall all your life! So I’ve decided to call you Dear Daddy-Long-Legs. I hope you won’t mind.

And so it goes! This is a short novel and a great summer read!

Click here to get your free copy of Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster >>

Every Friday, Marilyn Knapp Litt, who blogs at ClassicKindle.com, brings us her recommendation of a free classic book to discover (or rediscover) on Kindle. Find more of Marilyn’s recommendations at her blog, ClassicKindle.com, a guide to the best free and inexpensive classic literature for the Kindle. You can also get Marilyn’s blog on Kindle and I recommend that you “Like” the Classic Kindle Facebook page as well so you don’t miss anything. Here’s Marilyn’s post:

“Nurse and Spy in the Union Army The Adventures and Experiences of a Woman in Hospitals, Camps, and Battle-Fields” is an 1864 memoir by Sarah Emma Edmonds. She is a Canadian woman who served in the American Civil War disguised as a man. Here is how she describes her book: The “Nurse and Spy” is simply a record of events which have transpired in the experience and under the observation of one who has been on the field and participated in numerous battles—among which are the first and second Bull Run, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, the Seven days in front of Richmond, Antietam, and Fredericksburg—serving in the capacity of “Spy” and as “Field Nurse” for over two years.”

Upon going up to her I recognised her as one of the washerwomen of our army, I asked her what she was doing there and where the army had gone. Said she: “I don’t know anything about the army; I am cooking my husband’s supper, and am expecting him home every minute; see what a lot of things I have got for him,” pointing to a huge pile of blankets, haversacks and canteens which she had gathered up, and over which she had constituted herself sentinel. I soon found out that the poor creature had become insane. The excitement of battle had proved too much for her, and all my endeavors to persuade her to come with me were unavailing. I had no time to spare, for I was convinced that the army had really decamped.

But our heroine has stayed too long and the washerwoman gives her up to the enemy.

One of the men said “See here old woman, are you sure that she can tell us if we find her?” “Oh, yes, she can tell you, I know she can,” was the woman’s reply. They would go away a little distance and then come back again; by and by they began to accuse the woman of playing a false game; then they swore, threatened to shoot her, and she began to cry. All this was an interesting performance I admit; but I did not enjoy it quite so much, in consequence of being rather uncomfortably near the performers.

I don’t think I give anything away to say she escapes! This is an odd story. A few women did dress as men to fight – but it seems particularly odd that a Canadian would be compelled to join our fight.

Click here to get your free copy of Nurse and Spy in the Union Army by S. Emma E. Edmonds >>>