Author
Una L. Silberrad
1872-1955
Una L. Silberrad (1872-1955) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
WikipediaSubjects
Books by Una L. Silberrad
Dutch Bulbs and Gardens
"Dutch Bulbs and Gardens" by Una L. Silberrad and Sophie Lyall is a descriptive guide exploring the floral landscapes and bulb cultivation techniques of the Netherlands, written in the early 20th century. The work focuses on the beauty and characteristics of various Dutch flowers, particularly bulbs, while providing insight into the local gardening culture and practices. The narrative seems rich with observations about the environment, the people who cultivate these flowers, and the aesthetics of the gardens themselves. The opening of the book sets the stage for an immersive journey into the bulb gardens of Holland, beginning with the journey to reach these horticultural treasures. The text contrasts the leisurely travel along Dutch canals with the vibrant, bustling atmosphere of towns like Haarlem and Amsterdam, showcasing the industrious nature of the Dutch people. The author’s observations blend personal reflections with vivid descriptions of the landscapes, preparing the reader for a deeper exploration into the distinct types of bulbs, their cultivation methods, and the significance of gardening in Dutch culture. As the narrative unfolds, it promises to reveal not only the charms of Dutch gardens but also the rich histories and practices that surround them.
The Good Comrade
"The Good Comrade" by Una L. Silberrad is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the Polkington family, particularly focused on the middle daughter, Julia, who finds herself navigating familial expectations and financial struggles against the backdrop of societal pressures. The novel explores themes of honor, frugality, and the role of women within domestic settings, all while delving into character dynamics that reveal the challenges of their social standing. At the start of the narrative, we are introduced to the Polkingtons, a family that presents themselves as part of the social elite despite their financial difficulties. The eldest daughter, Violet, has just become engaged, prompting a flurry of discussions about the implications for their household. Julia, the less attractive yet perceptive middle daughter, becomes aware of their financial instability, particularly concerning their father, Captain Polkington, whose gambling habits have led to a significant debt. This opening portion establishes the family's complex dynamics, with Julia taking on a central role as she contemplates how to resolve their pressing issues while also revealing her own determination and resourcefulness.
Princess Puck
"Princess Puck" by Una L. Silberrad is a novel written in the early 20th century. Set in rural England, it follows Wilhelmina “Bill” Alardy, the awkward youngest niece of a fading schoolmistress, as she is sent to Ashelton to “grow up” amid village routines, gossip, and farm life. Around Bill orbit her poised cousin Theresa, Theresa’s flawed farmer-husband Robert Morton, and the outsider-farmer Gilchrist Harborough, with clergy and local ladies shaping the social weather. It reads as a domestic and social coming-of-age, attentive to class, marriage, and the gap between ideal and ordinary human nature. The opening of the story traces the decision to send Bill from Miss Brownlow’s declining school in Wrugglesby to stay with the newly married Theresa at Ashelton. Bill’s blunt conversations with schoolmates reveal her curiosity about men, marriage, and propriety, and her inner life is set against Theresa’s tidy new household. At Haylands farm, Bill cheerfully throws herself into chores, while Robert Morton’s drunken return from market—managed discreetly by Bill with the help of neighbor Harborough—introduces the first crack in Theresa’s ideal marriage. Bill later debates Harborough about loyalty, weakness, and what wives can bear, and she begins to meet Ashelton society through a prayer-meeting led by the self-satisfied curate, tea visits with observant spinsters, and Sunday church with the shadowy Harborough family chapel. She mimics the curate in private, takes in the village’s talk of old county families, and finds a county history bearing her grandmother’s name. The section closes with Bill, map in hand, setting out to walk toward Gurnett, her curiosity pulling her further into the district’s people and places.