"Bimbi" is a lovely novella written by Ouida, the pen name of Maria Louise Ramé, an English novelist. This delightful narrative provides readers with a comforting insight into the world of the namesake character, Bimbi, who is a young Italian kid with an endearing attitude. "Bimbi" unfolds as a narrative of improbable friendship that involves the vivacious Bimbi and Lady Inglis, an Englishwoman visiting in Italy, amid the beautiful scenery of Italy. Lady Inglis is captivated through Bimbi's innocence, spontaneity, and limitless creativity. The short story follows their travels and the unusual friendship they've come to form. Ouida expertly combines themes of cross-cultural understanding, the magic of youth, and the transformational power of genuine human connections as Bimbi and Lady Inglis explore the Italian countryside together. Bimbi's character personifies unbridled, youthful delight and curiosity. Ouida's beautiful words and evocative descriptions take readers to Italy's breathtaking landscapes and create yearning for a simpler, more innocent time.
Maria Louise Ramé (January 1, 1839 – January 25, 1908), also known as Marie Louise de la Ramée and under the pen name Ouida, was an English novelist. Ouida wrote almost 40 novels, as well as short tales, children's books, and articles over her career. She was moderately successful and lived a life of luxury, entertaining many literary figures of the time. One of her most famous works, Under Two Flags, was about the British in Algeria. It expressed sympathy for the French colonists, with whom Ouida identified strongly, and, to a lesser extent, the Arabs. The novel was adapted for the stage and six times filmed. In most of Asia, her novel A Dog of Flanders is considered a children's classic. One of the causes for the American author Jack London's literary success was her novel Signa. Her extravagant lifestyle finally led to poverty, and her works were auctioned off to pay her debts. She died of pneumonia in Italy. Soon after her death, her friends arranged a public subscription in her birthplace of Bury St Edmunds, where a fountain for horses and dogs was erected in her honor.
