This week’s Friday Fictioneers Challenge comes via a photo from Claire Fuller. I struggled in vain to make out the titles, feeling really sneaky. Checking out someone’s reading matter feels a bit like reading their diary. 😉
A Shared Passion
The man at the big house invited me to see his library. So many shapes, sizes – my head whirled in wonderment.
He lent me ‘Jane Eyre’ and promised ‘Wuthering Heights’ when I’d finished it.
My mother burned ‘Jane Eyre’; called him evil, and said I was never to go back there.
But I went back… to apologise. For my mother’s barbarity.
I sat beside him and he held me while I cried.
I never saw him again; but every week, when I hid a book beneath the stone at his gateway, I’d find another one waiting.
And so I learned.
castelsarrasin 
Dear Sandra,
You’ve packed a lot of story into a tight space. I’m in awe. Lovely telling.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle. I’m not sure about this one.
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Nice story… Randy
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Thanks Randy. 🙂
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Terrific!
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Thank you! 🙂
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That’s such a vivid scene for so few words. Amazing job.
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Thanks David. 🙂
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Sandra, I have to admit that I was expecting a bad ending to this–that he was a child molester or something similar. Your title could easily be read that way. But this week, unless you’re being even more subtle than usual, I’m just happy that she found someone to share her passion for books and to help her grow as a person. On the other hand….
janet
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Ah! the misdirection worked then. 😉 It was a pity that though they shared the same passion for books, they could never get to discuss them because of society’s (sadly understandable) preconceptions. Which she also learned about. Thanks for reading Janet.
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As I said to Rochelle just yesterday, in FF, sometimes the twist is not having a twist.
Hope you’re feeling better (both of you.)
janet
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I read it the innocent way first, but in FF, I’m always looking for what might not be so evident. I’m glad it turned out to be the story I thought. 🙂
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This week I’m reading people’s contributions first before writing my own. I liked this a lot! Something I can understand, had a tiny bit experience of. They forever took books away from me.
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I can’t imagine people taking books away from a child. For me, there was a never ending supply. The Bronte’s, Dickens, Shakespeare’s … they just appeared like magic.
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Had to fight for them. Ended up reading under the bed, where I’m sure, my mom knew I was hiding but gave up and let me be.
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This says alot about people and their ignorance. I guess we are banning books again because someone’s mother didnt like them???
well done
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Thanks for commenting. 🙂
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Oh be sure, this one is a tiny tale that delights. A lovely little story of childhood, with innocence and humanity, but showing also how our societies were bound and gagged. A few hundred more words and we would have seen other books to keep the light shining.
Very nice.
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Thanks pirate. There are lots of restrictions, phobias and dogma in this piece.
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You know what, Sandra, this is a very nice story… I read it 3 times.
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p.s. I tried to read the titles too…
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Thanks for reading Ted, (three times!) 🙂
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This is great. The perfect neighbor to have! A wonderfully well written story!
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Thank you Penny! 🙂
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Such a touching relationship they have. Bound by their love of books. It just shows that true passion will overcome the obstacles!
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Thanks for reading and commenting Joe.
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I love the setup here, the transgression that so many of us sympathize with. Wonderful.
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Thanks for commenting.
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Dear Sandra,
Your story was as good as reading gets. You should save this one on a special place. I’ve got it in my heart now. Well done.
I tried to read the titles, too.
Aloha,
Doug
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Thanks for reading and commenting so kindly Doug. Missing you on here.
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Either the mother is ignorant or has a female intuition about this man. Loved the ending. It reminded me of Boo leaving surprise tokens in the tree for Scout, her brother and little friend. My story is still jelling in my head.
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Oh yes… that was just great as storytelling goes.
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Perhaps she had a bad experience herself. Good luck with your story, and thanks for commenting.
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I loved this story. It could be the beginning of an autobiography of an authour. I recall reading Harry Martinson’s autobiography and the tale he told about the difficulties he had to get access to books…
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Thanks Bjorn. Sometimes we take our access to books for granted.
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passionate, mysterious, and educational! the trifecta!
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Thank you!
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Ignorance never wins in the end! Such a heartless mother.
Great flash Sandra
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Thanks Carrie! 🙂
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it’s a terrific tale.. had my imagination going… i love her defiance, her eagerness to learn.. and that the strange man cared.. there’s a certain air of mystery here that leaves me wanting more
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Thanks kz. Glad you liked it.
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Loved this! Way to tell a story.
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Thank you!
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I was a late reader – lucky to have a step mom who would read to me every night. I think that’s part of the reason why I like to write. Imagination is priceless.
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I can’t recall ever having been read to. Don’t think my parents had the time so they just made sure there was an endless supply of books for me, and I started early.
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Oh how fabulous! I can picture this in my head – the ignorant mother, the child’s thirst for knowledge, the gentleman who wants to help and gets misunderstood. Brilliant. I think it’s going to be a good week this week 🙂
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It think it has been a good week el. Thanks for reading.
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A real classic here Sandra; had a real feel of a Victorian story of longing and misunderstanding. You can read my library anytime…
Claire
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🙂 Thanks Claire. Yes, I hoped the use of the words ‘big house’ might set the scene.
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Beautiful! A new book always waiting!
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Yes, I was blessed with this as a child, and my local library allows borrowers 12 books at a time! I love library days.
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Oh wow! That’s immense! 12 books at a time. I used to get only one book per week. But yes, the library was good.
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Must say I didn’t pick up on the possible seamy side of this until I read the comments–I placed the villain cloak on the mother, and throughout, saw the man as a mentor to a lucky child. Well done.
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Neither did I! Maybe I’m as naive as everyone tells me I am…
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Nothing wrong with innocence… 😉
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Thanks vb. And thanks for reading.
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Must say I didn’t see the seamy side of this until I read the comments–I placed the villain’s cloak on the mother and saw the man as a mentor to a lucky child. Well done, Sandra.
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I agree with vb. He wasn’t an evil man until I saw the comments. This is a great story with so much in it, whether it stays innocent or not. And I’m sticking with innocent.
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Yay for the innocents! Thanks for reading Sarah Ann.
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This is a gem of a story, Sandra. I loved it. I’m not sure of what’s been said in the comments, but I’m going with innocent, too. It made me smile. Books can defini
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Another one for the innocents! 🙂
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oops…Books can definitely make for a bonding experience.
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This actually gave me a chill,,and almost a tear to my eye.
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Thank you! 🙂
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This was GREAT! Books are my favorites (as they probably ALL are to us writers). I like the sense of justice, too … hid a book a week. Brilliant! Thanks, Sandra. Always a pleasure.
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Pleasure having you drop by Kent.
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Always a pleasure reading your stuff, too! Really.
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Aww that was touching, such a nice man o inspire interest in learning 🙂
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Thanks for reading and commenting. 🙂
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a good story, although I was waiting for poison or a knife 🙂 — reminds me of when I was in junior high I was friends with the single black child in the school. I lent Fred my “Conan the Barbarian” by Robert E. Howard, heady stuff in those days. He was never able to return it for someone found it in his locker, scribbled profanities in it and tore it to pieces. Books transcend many things.
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That must have been an appalling incident for Fred – I can’t imagine how he must have felt. This image will stick with me Bill. Thanks for dropping by and commenting.
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yes – I sometimes think this is learned, but it is so prevalent in so many places. We are sending my daughter over to visit my sister in Avignon for the summer — do you get your boat to that part of the country.
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We’re a bit further north now Bill, near Macon/Dijon but as we transferred from the Midi to Pont de Vaux via the Rhone, we spent a weekend in Avignon – beautiful. I hadn’t known that when we sing ‘sur le pont d’Avignon, on y danse’ etc that the bridge itself actually stops partway across the river. Just like that! She’ll have a lovely time, sure of it.
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France – lovely food, beautiful surroundings. Yes, I suspect she will.
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Well told, with a very heart-warming ending. Thanks, Sandra!
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Thanks Perry! 🙂
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I love the ending–the wonderful way he keeps lending her books. Lovely!
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There must be a lot of pleasure to be had from quenching a child’s thirst for knowledge in this way.
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Great story! My mother wasn’t much on reading, and I often had to sneak books into my room to read–not as extreme as this, but I relate. Wonderful tribute to the love of books.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/reincarnation/
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I never had many toys, but there was always an endless supply of books. I see from the comments on this page how lucky I was, without realising it.
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This is truly beautiful Sandra. Very touching and real.
And don’t feel bad, I too “snuck around.” That’s how I located “Eden.” Well, not the actual Eden, you understand…
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I feel better now t. Thanks for reading.
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I like this story, you’ve packed a lot in, and I’m glad she got to learn by reading widely and well 🙂
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Thanks Trudy, glad you liked it
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Sandra – I loved this. So beautiful told, so brief. Of course, I suspected that the mother wasn’t long for this world, but you did her no harm. At least, in this entry. 🙂
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Quite restrained for me! 😉
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I understand the Mother’s concern, but she could have went with her daughter. My guess is she disliked books herself and didn’t want her daughter to like them either. I’ve known people like that. Great story, Sandra.
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Thanks for commenting Russell, glad you liked it.
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One of the very best I have ever read.
Thanks for the entire adventure summed up in so few words!
Scott
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Thank you Scott, praise indeed!
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This is absolutely wonderful. Wish I’d thought of it. 😉 I adore it when the picture prompt stirs an idea that veers away from the picture itself, as yours has, in this case, creating such a rich and deep story.
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Thanks Debra, I thought I might struggle this week.
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This was fantastic Sandra, what better use for a library than to inspire a child? Too many books sit on shelves not earning their keep. I’m currently re-reading some of the ones I’ve kept, but most of them I try to send on for someone else’s enjoyment.
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Yes I try to recycle my books too Anne. There’s only a handful that I would never let out of my sight. Thanks for commenting.
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You conveyed that this was a ‘period’ story so economically. I can see both the mother’s concern for the safety of her child and the man’s understanding of that concern; and maybe, his concern to protect himself, too. It also characterises him well: he wants nothing but to help the girl to learn. Excellent work!
We’ve been to Avignon and that region. I envy you, though we are now seriously into the doing up of our boat (Albin Vega) and hope to have her in the water in the not too distant future. I ache all over from scrubbing! Ann
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Thanks for commenting Ann. Where is your boat based? Getting them water-ready is a time and energy consuming job, so I can sympathise. Good luck with that! 🙂
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The boat’s in a boatyard, conveniently about 15 minutes drive away. It’s a complete renovation job. It was covered in furry green algae until a couple of weekends ago, when I scrubbed it down from bow to stern, though I’ve also cleaned out the cockpit/cabin/kitchen room. We’ll be installing a new engine soon. Ouch! The money! Ouch! The time! Great project though! Ann
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I think my response got lost. A boat is a hole in the water lined with steel, into which you regularly chuck all the money you can lay your hands on. Happy scrubbing, and happy boating when the time comes.
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I am looking forward most to the splicing of the mainbrace. 🙂
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Oh I love this!!
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That’s a great little story. Beyond not trusting the guy, the mother obviously did not value literature at all. I would have “liked” it but for some reason the like button isn’t loading for me.
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Really Good Writing, Sandra!
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I was expecting something nasty to happen. Phew! 😀
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