Bebee

Bebee, by Ouida


In 1880, Ouida was a best-selling and prolific author.  In 2010, very few of her books are still in print, and her name is virtually unknown.  She wrote sensational historical romances, and also children's books and stories about dogs.  Someone made a movie of one of her other books, A Dog of Flanders.  I haven't read the book, but you can find it on DVD at amazon.com

Bebee's opening description of a girl so sweet and pure she could give you diabetes almost led me to quit and see what else was on the Reader.  But the story went in a different direction, and showed what happens to girls too good for this world, when the world encounters them.  Yes, it's overwritten, overwrought, overromanticized, and overdramatic.  But I had fun with it, too, and found it oddly satisfying.