How did divorce become so prevalent? We find out in this book.
Poor Mrs. Robinson was caught in an unhappy marriage and fancied herself a bit of an authoress, so she kept journals detailing her interests--especially in men other than her husband. Several years into the marriage, Mr. Robinson decided to read (without her permission) what she had been scribbling so copiously on a daily basis. The laws in England had recently been changed to make it easier for regular people to petition the courts for divorce, and he decided to charge her with adultery based upon her fanciful writings. Unfortunately, this book is rather dry and reads like a dissertation. Since the journals no longer exist, the author had to make do with the parts of them entered into court records for her research. The mystery remains--was she truly unfaithful or were the journals her wishful thinking?
The story of these two society girls and their adventures as schoolteachers in the mountains of Colorado in the early 1900s was fascinating. The author used letters they had written to family back East to expand what started as an article into a book.
Our pioneers were certainly sturdy stock, and these "society" gals did not shy away from hard work and rough conditions in the Wild West. Again, this book was rather dry and I wish the author had reprinted the letters themselves instead of retelling what they said. I loved seeing the photos and wished they were larger. I came away thinking how life was so much harder a mere 100 years ago!
One of book group's selections this month was An Invisible Thread: The True Story of an 11-Year-Old Panhandler, a Busy Sales Executive, and an Unlikely Meeting with Destiny. Laura Schroff certainly made a huge difference in this man's life, but I am left wondering what made her decide to write this book. Does she want recognition for her good deeds? Does she hope to inspire others to take a chance and help those less fortunate? No mention is made of any plans she has for the proceeds she will earn from the sales of this book.
Maybe it's my Catholic school upbringing, but I kept thinking how the nuns drilled into our heads that a good deed should be done because it's the right thing to do and we shouldn't expect recognition for doing it (at least not in this world--they were awfully fond of the expression, "Your reward will be in heaven"!) Will Laura use any profits to fatten her retirement account? Will she set up a foundation to help those in need? Will she set up a trust to pay for the education of the children of this now adult man?
Laura did take a huge chance on this young man and because of her efforts, he was able to escape the drug-addled culture into which he was born. That's what I have to keep reminding myself--even one person can make a difference!
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