MUMPS is a novel by Elizabeth Madox Roberts, published in 1929. It tells the story of a young girl, Mumps, who lives in a small Kentucky town in the early 1900s. She is an orphan, living with her aunt and uncle, and is often lonely and misunderstood. Mumps is a bright and imaginative girl, and she finds solace in the natural world around her. She befriends a variety of animals, including a raccoon, a possum, and a skunk. She also finds comfort in the stories her aunt tells her about the old days, and in the music of the local church. As Mumps grows older, she begins to explore the world around her, and discovers a new sense of freedom and independence. She also begins to understand the complexities of the adult world, and the struggles of the people in her community. Mumps eventually finds a place in the world, and learns to accept herself and her place in it. The novel is a coming-of-age story, and a celebration of the beauty and resilience of the human spirit.
By Elizabeth Madox Roberts · First published 1922 · Genre: Southern Gothic, Realism, Historical Fiction