Description

(from publisher's newspaper advertisment blurb)

This is the story of Mrs. Tome Callien, a tremendously wealthy, keen-minded, sharp-tongued, bed-ridden woman, who is always sending presents broadcast, and whose dearest wish is this: "That the last mail of the day may never leave me utterly letterless -- and that I may always be expecting a package by express."

It is also the story of Solvei Kjellend, who says herself that she is "young and strong, and very laughing;" and of Dr. Sam Kendrue, who is as tall and young and handsome as Solvei, as brunette as she is blonde, as grim as she is effervescent and vivid.

About these and some subordinate characters the author of "Molly Make-Believe" weaves another of those whimsical, sparkling, laughing romances that have endeared her to so many hundred thousand readers.

Notes

Contemporary reviews for The Stingy Receiver are a litany of words like "gay", "sugary-sweet", "blithe", and, always, "whimsical". A representative line: "Like a gigantic gray-brown wonder bulb the northern winter is dumped down thus at will into the sunny, plushy forcing frame of a New York Pullman to bloom in perfect scent and glory only one day, two days, three days later in some welcoming Southland." If you favor (or can take) your train trips so described, A Stingy Receiver-- and pretty much any of Abott's works -- will abundantly provide. I actually enjoyed this one -- and more than some of her others. The reluctant, combative friendship between the young doctor and his wealthy, paralyzed, middle-aged "sharp in tongue and in her heart most generous" (NYT, 18 Mar 1917) patient is unusual and refreshing. The female MC's Norwegian-ized English is an obvious fiction but I still succumbed to its charms. Since I have a special interest in the (inclusion and) treatment of neurodivergent and disabled characters in vintage light fiction, it was also interesting to see Solvei depicted as in the US to study the Montessori method in the hopes that it will help her little brother,"so gold, so blue, so pinky, all day long he sits -- and isn't." And anyone who has ever indulged in retail therapy, will appreciate (or, at least, sympathize with) Elizabeth Callien's catalog habit. She even puts in the effort to seek out the Etsy-of-their-time small-town newspaper ads. Admirable!

Flag: One use of an offensive term for a black child.

Tags

1910-1919, American, Norwegian, United States, Northeast, United States, South, United States, Southeast, beautiful/handsome, cheerful, comedy, competent, determined, doctor, family, sibling, responsible for, female, forthright, hair, blond(e), hair, dark, independent, intelligent, island, moving to the country, opposites attract, poor, single, student, tall, thin, third-person, young

Flags

insensitive or outdated language (race/ethnicity/disability/sexual orientation)