Reading Time - The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

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Let's talk books again. I've been reading quite a while over the last months, and I really need to catch up with you and make a list of all the books I read, including the ones I loved the most and the ones I didn't enjoy as I thought I would, but for today we talk about one of my most recent readings, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jaqueline Kelly.

The novel is set in 1899, and tells the story of Calpurnia, a soon-to-be 12 years old girl who lives with her family in Texas. Its the years of cotton fields and big families, of burning sun and new technologies, and Calpurnia, fourth kid of seven (and only girl), lives her life with serenity, not worrying much about he future, and not liking much the domestic lessons her mum wants her to follow in order to become a true lady.

Calpurnia is actually a free spirit, she loves living the nature and hates knitting and cooking, unlike her friends in school. One day then, she starts to investigate a curious species of grasshopper she never saw before, and as she can't find anybody telling her why that type is different from the others, she decides to look for the infamous book by Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species.

The librarian has no intention of giving such a dangerous book to a little girl tough, and Calpurnia comes back home sad and unsatisfied. Then it comes in her mind that her grandfather, an imposing distant figure know never spend time with his grandchildren. To her surprise, she finds out that her granddaddy owns a copy of The Origin of Species himself, and he borrows it to a very happy and excited Calpurnia.

From that moment on the relationship between the child and the old man becomes stronger and stronger, and they start investigating together and studying the different kinds of flora and fauna of the region. Things will become even more interesting when the two find a kind of plant they never seen before, and which might be a one of a kind...

Throughout the book Calpurnia has to find a balance between her curiosity and independence against the restrictions forced to a girl at the beginning of the 19^th century. Exactly like the world around her, embracing new discoveries like the car, the telephone or coca cola, Calpurnia “evolves” during Summer, and starts to think about the world, the thinks she doesn't know and she wants to discover, and about a future different from that wished by her family.

I found this book absolutely delightful. Calpurnia is so sweet and energetic, its impossible not loving her and her hunger for knowledge. As a reader you feel frustrated as she does when her mother imposes her boring piano lessons and she can't go hunting new species with Grandaddy, or when she unveils her love for reading and science, and her mother gives her a book about “The Science of Housewifery”.

A book I wish I read when I was about Calpurnia's age, but which delighted and made me fall in love with the characters nonetheless, and I can't but suggest you this quick and easy reading, especially now that Summer is coming and a wish for cheerful readings makes its way in our minds. Let me know if you read it already and what you think about it.

Talk you very soon, until then take care,

M.