Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.Download Description
I want to be alone for a whole summer, and get to the very dregs of life. I want to be as idle as I can, so that my soul may have time to grow. Nobody shall be invited to stay with me, and if any one calls they will be told that I am out, or away, or sick. I shall spend the months in the garden, and on the plain, and in the forests. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Heart Rendering!
What one among us hasn't felt the desire for peace and solitude so aptly described in this poignant work.I loved it!

Diary of a solitary summer, alone with garden,books,thoughts
This book captivated both me and my best friend.The issue of the book I read was printed in 1907 and is titled The Solitary Summer by the author of "Elizabeth and her German Garden".Nowhere else in the book does it ever reveal the author's name.The book starts out with a dedication "To the man of Wrath with some apologies and much love". The book is a diary (May-September) of a woman with 3 small babies (referred to only as my April baby, my May baby, my June baby) who wants to spend the entire summer to herself.The first page of the book begins. "May 2nd - Last night after dinner, when we were in the garden, I said, "I want to be alone for a whole summer, and get to the very dregs of life.I want to be as idle as I can, so that my soul may have time to grow.Nobody shall be invited to stay with me, and if any one calls they will be told that I am out, or away, or sick.I shall spend the months in the garden, and on the plain, and in the forests.I shall watch the things that happen in my garden, and see where I have made mistakes.On wet days I will go into the thickest parts of the forests, where the pine needles are everlastingly dry, and when the sun shines I'll lie on the heath and see how the broom flares against the clouds.I shall be perpetually happy, because there will be no one to worry me." And so begins her solitary summer, filled with books, the garden(s), nature, her thoughts and reflections.And conversations with her husband who does not believe she can endure an entire summer without visitors. ... Read more

Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Orphaned twin girls find a new life in America.
This delightful story of twin adolescent girls orphaned and traveling to a new life in the United States shortly before the U.S. enters World War Ihas all the fresh, comic charm of Elizabeth Von Arnim's other books. Thegirls, born of an English mother and a Prussian aristocrat father, find itdifficult not to belong totally to one nation in time of war between thosenations. They nickname themselves "Christopher" and"Columbus" because they will be discovering a new world forthemselves and because as twins, they are almost the same person. Theirbinational identity brings them trouble everywhere, while their innocence,helplessness, and courage win them friends who help. Who will like thisbook? Twins, women of all ages, readers who appreciate how delicious theEnglish language can be in the hands of a facile writer, historians of theperiod, those interested in what it's like to be a refugee or expatriate,and of course Von Arnim fans. ... Read more

Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more