Ruth Fielding on Cliff Island
/Ruth Fielding on Cliff Island by Alice B. Emerson (1915) The subtitle (I love these) is: Or, The Old Hunter’s Treasure Box. I almost felt bad about reading (in the bath) this nice, old copy—I’d donate it to a collection, if someone would preserve it—but books are for reading. Handwriting in front: “A Happy Birthday to Dolores, from your loving friend, Mathilda. 4/30/25.” So that means the book is at least 99 years old! Reading this is like two versions of time travel—the physical book, and the story. Well, you can find digital versions for like nothing, if you’re interested—I think that’s how I read an earlier Ruth Fielding—and found it well-written and fascinating—the early 1900s girls’ school social stuff. This one is an even better story—they all go to an island in winter (I love the winter books most of all!) and are up against an all-too-believable old-codger, bully, real-estate villain, and also up against the elements—trapped in a cave during a blizzard—you can’t ask for more! There are annoying elements, of course, like how the one girl who likes to eat is named “Heavy”—endless jokes about her weight and one-track mind—it gets old. The most interesting character isn’t Ruth—who’s a little too perfect, like Nancy Drew—but their new friend, Ann, who’s having trouble adjusting to the social circles due to the culture shock—she’s from Montana and was essentially a cowgirl. At one point, the mean kids send her a gift and it’s a literal dunce cap! She, of course, wins them over as opportunities for ropin’ and ridin’ come up—she keeps saving the day—it’s a little obvious—but she’s the best character—along with this backwoods boy from the island in question—who’s at the center of the mystery.
2.20.24