A Dog of Flanders
A Dog of Flanders
Author: Ouida
Desc: Marie Louise de la Ramée (1839-1908) wrote many popular novels of adventure and romance in the 1870s and 80s under the pen name of Ouida. She also produced a number of captivating stories for youngsters. One of the best A Dog of Flanders . First published in 1872 A Dog of Flanders tells the moving story of Nello a gentle boy with aspirations of becoming a painter and Patrasche — his devoted Belgian work dog. The two along with Nello's grandfather live in a little village near Antwerp where Nello's idol the artist Rubens once worked. Nello and Patrasche suffer countless hardships — poverty hunger cruelty and rejection. But they persevere in the face of adversity up to their tragic bittersweet end. Rich in the sentiment of its Romantic tradition yet convincing in its portrayal of both human and animal nature this touching classic has tugged at the heartstrings of readers and listeners alike for generations. It remains one of the nineteenth century's most imaginative and arresting works of fiction for children.