Helpful Score: 1
I borrowed this book from my sister-in-law upon her recommendation. Although I really enjoyed the story and the various messages the author was sending (about redemption, religion, industrial progress, etc), this story really got bogged down at times. The language of the "poorer folk" made it difficult to read at times, the bar scene towards the beginning felt especially useless. Other scenes at least were shown as necessary later on, but I must have missed the boat on that particular one. Anyway, away from any deeper messages is a charming tale about a miserly old man who lives alone and hoards his gold (the cover picture with the tam o'shanter hat made me think of Scrooge McDuck with his vault of gold). One day, his gold is stolen and he keeps hoping for it to return. Soon after, a golden-haired child appears at his doorstep and he begins to live his life again as a result. Again, it takes a while for this story to really get started (I didn't feel truly invested in it until somewhere in the middle), but it is a worthwhile read!
