Katy Carr is the protagonist of What Katy Did, and what Katy did was to become impossibly good after an injury falling from a swing. And when I say 'impossibly good' - I mean practically a saint. Still, you can’t help but like her.The book was written in 1872 – at a time when a Victorian woman’s place was very much at home, and her aspirations should never rise higher than motherhood and being able to manage a household. The story of Katy is almost a warning to high-spirited girls, and a lesson in how to behave. Despite that, it’s a warm-hearted read, and gives an insight to how society treated invalids, and what life was like in that era, living in a small Midwestern town. What Katy Did
Published: 1872
Author: Susan Coolidge
Home fact one: I’ve lived in nine different places.
Home fact two: Furthest afield was Hatfield in Hertfordshire.
Home fact three: Furthest into London was Newington Green in Islington.
Home fact four: Tiniest place was definitely the magnolia breezeblock I called home when I was a student.
Home fact five: Every job I have had seems to be approximately the other side of London to where I live. I am known as Commute Girl.
I read it, but it isn't a story that has stayed with me. I didn't realise it was so old.
ReplyDeleteHow I loved Katy, and especially What Katy Did at School, with its wonderful sense of detail and wafting plot.
ReplyDeleteI had a breeze-block one here in Oz - called it "the Tardis"!
ReplyDeleteI've just joined your blog a bit late - but catching up on your A-Z has got me stirring up the ghosts of Christmases past! I know what I want M to be... fingers crossed!
ReplyDeletep.s. love your little facts after the posts - really nice touch!
I read and remember loving the Katy stories when I was younger, so much so that when I saw What Katy Did Next at a charity shop I bought it even though the back cover didn't instantly thrill me. I still haven't reread it, hmm.
ReplyDelete- Sophia.
A fun read. Not much of a commute in the town I live in. You can be anywhere in less than 30 minutes. A traffic jam is 8-10 cars.I used to ride a train to work and enjoyed the people watching.
ReplyDeleteOh how I loved these books!
ReplyDeleteAh, Katy! I read and re-read the books (even when I was all grow'd up!!) - I always used to feel sorry for Elsie. I don't know about Katy being a 'saint' but Cousin Helen certainly qualified for that title!
ReplyDelete(sigh )- feel nostaligia coming on....where are my Katy books? Doh! Dearest Daughter has absconded with them!
As for home - I grew up in a small town in the Midlands but left to work in London. I got married and had a couple of kids and we gradually moved back north until now we're back up to my starting point! I find it weird that my kids went to the same school I did...!
SueH
I have never read this, but now I am intrigued. Thank you Commute Girl!
ReplyDeleteI love all the cool little things you post about yourself. It is like the little picture I have in my head of you changes just a tiny bit with each post.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't one I know, but it was good to find out about it from you. I do love the facts you put in and I am really enjoying your A-Z posts.
ReplyDeleteAt last...... I can comment on this post! Strange things are happening on Blogger!
ReplyDeleteI loved What Katy Did as a child though looking back the invalid Katy was a bit of a saint by todays standards!
Maggie X
Nuts in May
Just stopping by from the A-Z Challenge. So nice to meet you. I'm a new follower!
ReplyDeleteI love how you are approaching the A-Z postings with all the clever 'extras' about yourself on top of your book reviews!
ReplyDeleteI have not read this book, but it sounds like one I would have enjoyed as a girl.
I'm amazed anyone wrote a book about a handicapped person at that time in history.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you on A to Z.
Great post, always nice to acknowledge those who came before us.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of the book, but I'm so glad you've introduced me to it. I LOVE old books!
ReplyDeleteAnn Carbine Best’s Long Journey Home