Up the Chimney

Shepherd KnappProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.5

Word count: 36K words
Chapters: 4

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Up the Chimney by Shepherd KnappAuthor: Knapp, Shepherd, 1873-1946,Language: English, Class: PZ: Language and Literatures: Juvenile belles lettres, Release Date: Jan 24, 2005

Editor's review

This is an early English public-domain eBook from Project Gutenberg by Shepherd Knapp, an author active in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries whose work has the plain, unpretentious quality of children's and family reading from that era. Judging by the title and catalog classification, it is closer to a short story or fairy-tale-like reader, with straightforward language and a clear plot, suitable as a light entry point into old English-language books. Its value lies not in profound ideas or complex narrative technique but in presenting the rhythms of language and modes of imagination of pre-modern children's reading, giving it some reference value for those studying the origins of children's literature, the spread of public-domain books, or English reading instruction. Because the electronic edition comes directly from scanned material, the main text is preceded by Project Gutenberg's copyright notice and production information, which can be skipped. Overall, this is a small book suited to casual browsing for a feel of old-time English reading, rather than a classic requiring earnest study.

Who it's for

A good fit for

General readers who want a relaxed introduction to old English-language books
Enthusiasts studying early children's literature or the spread of public-domain eBooks
Learners who need short English materials for extensive reading practice

Not a good fit for

Literary readers expecting profound themes or complex narrative structures
Serious researchers who need modern annotations and authoritative editions
Beginners with little patience for old-fashioned English expression

Reading tips

First skip the Project Gutenberg notice at the front and start from the main text.
Read a short section each day, looking up words as needed, and treat it as English extensive reading material.
After finishing, note the differences between old-fashioned expressions and modern English to build up your knowledge.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book suitable for learning English?

It can serve as extensive reading material, but it is English from a century ago, with sentence patterns and vocabulary that differ from modern English, and the electronic edition lacks annotations. It is best read after you have some foundation; do not agonize over every unfamiliar expression—focus on understanding the plot.

Why is there so much copyright text before the main text?

This is Project Gutenberg's practice in producing eBooks: every book begins with a project introduction and terms of use. This content has nothing to do with the work itself, so just skip to the main text when reading.

What is the length and difficulty of this book?

Judging by the catalog, it is a children's book of modest length, with straightforward language and a simple plot, so the difficulty is not high. However, old-fashioned English vocabulary and punctuation habits differ from today's, so you may need some time to adjust at first.

Comments

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About the author

Shepherd Knapp Author · American · 1873–1946

Shepherd Knapp (1873–1946) was an American Congregational minister, writer, and church historian. Born in New York City, he graduated from Columbia University and Yale Divinity School, and long served as pastor of the Central Congregational Church in Worcester, Massachusetts. His works include a history of the Brick Presbyterian Church, a memoir of World War I, and Christmas plays such as The Christmas Dinner, Down the Chimney, and Up the Chimney; three of his works are held in this collection. His writing spans church history, wartime recollection, and festive short plays, often dealing with religious life, historical memory, and Christmas traditions in a plain style attentive to narrative and scene. Public information on his life is limited, and the circulation and influence of his works await further study.