Why am I passionate about this?
Since childhood, when I first witnessed Mary and Collin grow hale and hearty by breathing in fresh air from the moor while sinking their hands into the soil of The Secret Garden, I have been drawn toward stories featuring the healing power of nature. And when I discovered Karana, resilient and resourceful, fending for herself on The Island of the Blue Dolphins, I realized nature could be as violent a mentor as she could be nurturing, less a wellspring for the thirsty than a fiery forge for the spirited. The mystifying interplay of this gentle/fierce duality and its effect on the lives of characters continues to intrigue me and influences my writing.
Cameron's book list on women discovering personal truth in the wilderness
Why did Cameron love this book?
As a little girl reading Heidi, I was wholeheartedly convinced that invigorating mountain air, wildflower meadows, laughter, and alpine cheese made from the fresh milk of goats grazed on lush Swiss grass was the cure-all for what ailed humanity. Even now, you would be hard-pressed to convince me otherwise. If ever there was a story that could feed the hungry spirit of a city child and inspire dreams of back-to-the-land living, Spyri’s enchanting classic is it.
1 author picked Heidi as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.
Heidi has captivated and enthralled readers since it was first published. Heidi, an orphan, has to move in with her stern, demanding grandfather in the Swiss Alps, and just as she begins to feel at home she finds herself back in a city caring for a sick relative. This classic coming of age story explores the balance between freedom and family responsibilities. The joyously triumphant resolution will stays with the reader for a long time.
- Coming soon!