Aunt Jane's Nieces Abroad
American Literature
📘 About This Book
Chapter I THE DOYLES ARE ASTONISHED It was Sunday afternoon in Miss Patricia Doyle's pretty flat at 3708 Willing Square. In the small drawing room Patricia--or Patsy, as she preferred to be called--was seated at the piano softly playing the one "piece" the music teacher had succeeded in drilling into her flighty head by virtue of much patience and perseverance. In a thick cushioned morris-chair reclined the motionless form of Uncle John, a chubby little man in a gray suit, whose features were temporarily eclipsed by the newspaper that was spread carefully over them. Occasionally a gasp or a snore from beneath the paper suggested that the little man was "snoozing" as he sometimes gravely called it, instead of listening to the music. Major Doyle sat opposite, stiffly erect, with his admiring eyes full upon Patsy. At times he drummed upon the arms of his chair in unison with the music, nodding his grizzled head to mark the time as well as to emphasize his evident approbation. Patsy had played this same piece from start to finish seven times since dinner, because it was the only one she knew; but the Major could have listened to it seven hundred times without the flicker of an eyelash. It was not that he admired so much the "piece" the girl was playing as the girl who was playing the "piece." His pride in Patsy was unbounded. That she should have succeeded at all in mastering that imposing looking instrument--making it actually "play chunes"--was surely a thing to wonder at. But then, Patsy could do anything, if she but tried.
📖 Summary
Aunt Jane's Nieces Abroad is a charming work of fiction written by L. Frank Baum, clocking in at 239 pages and published in 2016. The story opens on a quiet Sunday afternoon inside Miss Patricia Doyle's lovely flat located at 3708 Willing Square. In the cozy drawing room, Patricia, who much prefers to be called Patsy, is seated at the piano. She is softly playing the one musical piece that her music teacher managed to drill into her flighty head through an immense amount of patience and perseverance. Nearby, resting in a thick, cushioned morris-chair, is the motionless form of Uncle John. He is described as a chubby little man dressed in a gray suit, whose features are temporarily eclipsed by a newspaper spread carefully over them. Every so often, a gentle gasp or a snore emerging from beneath the paper indicates that the little man is happily snoozing, as he gravely calls it, rather than paying strict attention to the piano music. Sitting opposite them is Major Doyle, who maintains a stiffly erect posture and an admiring demeanor. This initial scene sets a domestic, tranquil tone for the Doyles before their lives expand into broader adventures abroad. As a part of the beloved Aunt Jane's Nieces series, the book captures Baum's characteristic flair for engaging character dynamics, warm familial interactions, and lighthearted storytelling. Readers are treated to a snapshot of early twentieth-century life through the lens of a close-knit and endearingly quirky household. The narrative balances the gentle humors of everyday family dynamics with the promise of international travel and discovery. Baum paints his characters with vivid strokes, from the ambitious and spirited Patsy at the piano to the comfortably relaxed Uncle John hidden behind his newspaper and the dignified Major Doyle. The transition from the peaceful flat on Willing Square to travels abroad forms the core journey of the book, offering an entertaining escape into a bygone era of classic fiction. Fans of classic literature, historical fiction, and character-driven narratives will find plenty to enjoy in this whimsical and comforting story.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Engaging and vivid character introductions
Written by the celebrated author L. Frank Baum
Cozy and comforting domestic setting at the start
Charming blend of family dynamics and travel fiction
⚠️ Cons
Pacing may feel slow for readers looking for immediate action
Relies heavily on early twentieth-century tropes and styles
✍️ About the Author
❓ FAQ
Who is the author of Aunt Jane's Nieces Abroad? +
The book was written by L. Frank Baum.
When was this edition published? +
This edition was published in 2016.
How many pages does the book contain? +
The book contains 239 pages.
Where does the story begin? +
The story begins on a Sunday afternoon in Miss Patricia Doyle's flat at 3708 Willing Square.
What is Uncle John doing while Patsy plays the piano? +
Uncle John is relaxing in a morris-chair with a newspaper spread over his face, apparently snoozing.
