The Golden Bird

"The Golden Bird" by Maria Thompson Daviess is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Ann Craddock, a young woman facing sudden financial hardship after her father's loss of fortune, who embarks on a quest to establish a new life by raising chickens. As Ann navigates her newfound responsibilities with determination and a sense of adventure, the narrative unfolds against the backdrop of rural life in the Harpeth Valley, blending elements of humor, romance, and personal growth. At the start of the novel, Ann is introduced as a spirited and resourceful character, realizing that her immediate need is not just love, but also financial security. After selling her luxury items to purchase a prized rooster and a flock of hens, she finds herself returning to her family's ancestral home, Elmnest. During her journey, she encounters various characters, including her childhood friend Matthew, who proposes marriage, and Adam, a mysterious woodsman who helps her with her chickens. The opening chapters set the tone for Ann's adventures and struggles as she attempts to transform her life through poultry farming while grappling with her emotions and budding relationships. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Maria Thompson Daviess was an American artist and feminist author. She is best known for her popular novels written in the early 20th century, with a "Pollyanna" outlook, as well as several short stories, among them, “Miss Selina Sue and the Soap-Box Babies," "Sue Saunders of Saunders Ridge" and "Some Juniors.". Daviess was affiliated with the Equal Suffrage League in Kentucky, being the co-founder and vice-president of the chapter in Nashville and an organizer of the chapter in Madison.