Author
Forrest Reid
1875-1947
Forrest Reid (1875-1947) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
WikipediaSubjects
Books by Forrest Reid
The Garden God: A Tale of Two Boys
"The Garden God: A Tale of Two Boys" by Forrest Reid is a novel written in the early 20th century. It explores themes of innocence, friendship, and intellectual awakening through the lives of two boys, Graham Iddesleigh and Harold Brocklehurst, as they navigate the complexities of youth and love against the backdrop of their idyllic surroundings. The story offers a rich tapestry of emotional and philosophical musings as the characters develop deep connections with each other and reflect on their lives. The opening of the novel introduces Graham Iddesleigh, who is in correspondence with a friend, hinting at a life of introspection and reminiscence shaped by his unconventional upbringing and philosophical studies with his father. As he reflects on his past, memories of his childhood and the influence of a dream-like garden ambiance shape his consciousness. The narrative sets the stage for Graham's entrance into a more social world when he goes to school, where he meets Harold, a boy who remarkably resembles his childhood vision and plays a significant role in awakening Graham’s passions and ambitions. This initial glimpse foreshadows a profound exploration of their friendship and the struggles they will face as they confront societal expectations and their inner desires.
Following darkness
"Following Darkness" by Forrest Reid is a novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative revolves around an unfinished autobiography of Peter Waring, a young man who reflects on his life, his friendships, and his experiences, particularly his relationship with the world of art and the influences that shape his identity. The book delves into Peter's introspective thoughts, emotional struggles, and his ambivalence towards societal norms and personal connections. The opening of "Following Darkness" presents a reflective Peter Waring, caught between the memories of his childhood and the present moment in Italy where he is staying. As he attempts to immerse himself in the task of writing, he finds himself instead reminiscing about his past, exploring themes of youth, art, and personal longing. The narrative is intertwined with encounters, such as the poignant memories of his friend Owen Gill and familial relationships that reveal Peter's complex feelings towards love and creativity. Through a series of vivid impressions and experiences, Peter navigates his connections and aspirations, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of identity and artistic expression throughout the text.
The Spring Song
"The Spring Song" by Forrest Reid is a novel written in the early 20th century. It follows Griffith Weston (Grif), a sensitive boy spending the summer with his clergyman grandfather in the countryside, where music, dreams, and the natural world stir his imagination. Eccentric adults—a nocturnal organist and an old sea-captain with his sisters—signal a gentle mystery threaded with hints of the supernatural. The tone is pastoral and inward, suggesting a coming‑of‑age story in which Grif’s inner life and strange encounters shape a quiet adventure. The opening of the novel introduces Grif and his siblings arriving by train to their grandfather’s glebe house under the watch of Miss Johnson and accompanied by Pouncer the bulldog. Grif meets the odd organist Clement Bradley and, choosing a room by the wood, lies awake amid whispering trees and a faint flute‑note that deepens the book’s dreamy mood. A croquet tournament is planned; Edward returns early from school with his clever friend Palmer Dorset, family dynamics spark (including Edward’s resented nickname “Angelina”), and Miss Johnson’s melodramatic manuscript provides comic relief at dinner. Wandering next day through the wood, Grif slips through a garden door to the red‑brick home of Captain Narcissus Batt and his sister Miss Nancy, is kindly received, and hears of the absent Billy Tremaine before drifting to the church, where Bradley startles at a “ghost” and discovers Grif’s sweet voice; when Grif finally returns late, worried adults and a curate await him, and the canon quietly explains that Billy died, darkening the gentle mystery that has begun.