Robin

Frances Hodgson Burnett

Jul 2008 · ReadHowYouWant.com

About this ebook

Set in early twentieth century England, Frances Hodgson Burnett's Robin (1922) presents the life of the title character that is an orphaned little girl raised by her governesses and nurses. It portrays her love story as she encounters one of her childhood friends, Donal, who later enlists in the Army. In the absence of her lover, who is reported as dead in action, she is left with the responsibility of rearing their child on her own. But fate has still many surprises in store for her.

About the author

Frances Hodgson Burnett wrote for children and adults, publishing both plays and novels. She was born in Manchester, England, on November 24, 1849. Her father, who owned a furniture store, died when she was only four years old. Her mother struggled to keep the family business running while trying to raise five children. Finally, because of the failing Manchester economy, the family sold the store and immigrated to the United States. In 1865 they settled just outside of Knoxville, Tennessee. Hoping to offset her family's continuing financial troubles, Burnett began to submit her stories to women's magazines. She was immediately successful. In the late 1860s her stories were published in nearly every popular American magazine. Burnett helped to support her family with income from the sale of her stories, even saving enough to finance a trip back to England, where she stayed for over a year. In 1879, Burnett published her first stories for children; two of her most popular are A Little Princess and The Secret Garden. In contrast to an extremely successful career, Burnett's personal life held many challenges. Her son Lionel was diagnosed with tuberculosis at age 15, from which he never recovered. His death inspired several stories about dead or dying children. Burnett lived her later years on Long Island, New York. She died in 1924.