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The Lamplighter

Maria S. Cummins

Book Overview: 

Gertrude began life as an abused child in the care of Nan Grant, a cold and cruel woman. The only human character who was kind to her was the lamplighter, Truman Flint. When Nan, in one of her tantrums, threw Gertrude away from her house, he took her into his care. A few unforgettable people taught Gertrude everything that a young lady has to know. Almost everybody loves and admires Gertrude. But the one she loved best is Willie Sullivan. Will this love stay strong even after 6 years of separation? And will Gertrude, so admired and loved as she is, be happy - once in her life - for herself and not for others?

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Book Excerpt: 
. . .g along so slow, with the sun shining in her face, and he leaning on her arm, and shaking so that he can hardly keep on his feet! Catch me doing it."

"Why, Belle!" exclaimed Kitty, "how can you talk so? I'm sure I pity that old man dreadfully."

"Lor!" said Belle, "what's the use of pitying? If you are going to begin to pity, you'll have to do it all the time. Look,"—Belle touched her companion's elbow—"there's Willie Sullivan, father's clerk: an't he a beauty? I want to speak to him."

But before she could address a word to him, Willie, who was walking very fast, passed her with a bow, and a pleasant "Good morning, Miss Isabel;" and ere she had recovered from the surprise and disappointment, was some rods down the street.

"Polite!" muttered the pretty Isabel.

"Why, Belle! do see," said Kitty, who was looking back over her shoulder, "he's overtaken the old man and my interesting little girl. Look—look! He's pu. . . Read More

Community Reviews

When the story opens, Gertrude or Gerty is an eight-year-old orphaned girl in Boston, MA, who is being raised by a mean widow named Nan Grant, whose late husband Ben was a sailor and whose son Stephen is a scoundrel. Gerty finds a kitten to be her pet, but Nan kills it and then throws the sick littl

I just read through this one again and remembered how much I loved it. The plot was deeper and wider than I remembered from last time, and the characters were so awesome, especially Willie, Trueman Flint, and younger Gertie.) I could hear all the voices that dad gave them when he read it aloud all t

This is a beautiful story that follows Gerty's life and its many twists and turns with the childhood of poverty, girlhood of opportunity, and womanhood of uncertainty. The characters are beautiful, the writing is high quality, and the plot is surprising yet satisfying. This is a classic not to be mi

Going in, I expected this book to be a lot more about Gerty as a little girl than as a young woman. I was a little disappointed that we skipped over so many important formative years--although by the end, I agree that the story didn't need to be stretched out any longer than it was! However, I appre

Another one of my favorite period pieces. I have read it numerous times and listened to it read aloud. This story is one I will treasure always and hope to pass on to my children someday.

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