I've been browsing a lot in the "young reader" section of my library recently and came across this. I loved it! It's a quick read but has a lot of depth to it and ... yes I shed a few tears. It tells the tale of Maud Flynn, age 11, who lives in an orphanage where she is regarded as impertinent and is always in trouble.One day the Hawthorne sisters appear at the orphanage - while Maud is locked in the outhouse as a punishment and is singing The Battle Hymn of the Republic, and decide to adopt Maud. Maud is thrilled and is soon discovering the joys of ice cream, new clothes and books!!! Initially, she is so happy with her new life that she doesn't really pay much attention to the fact that her presence in her new home must be kept secret. Eventually Maud discovers the family secret .... the Hawthorne sisters conduct fake seances and earn their money taking money off bereaved family members desperate to contact their loved ones "in the afterlife".
Maud discovers that she was chosen from the orphanage to play the ghost of the daughter of a grieving mother. She initially goes along with the plan, eager to win the love of the youngest Hawthorne sister, Hyacinth. However, her conscience starts to question the sisters' career and, finally, after a tragedy and betrayal, Maud's young life is finally looking up :-)
It's a great book with suspense, melodrama and a great insight into the lives of orphans in the early 20th century. Despite the storyline, the characters are all totally believable and you really will find yourself hoping that things will work out for Maud.
Go on, this book is far too good to just be read by the "younger readers" - grab a bar of chocolate - I recommend Green and Black's Organic Milk - and enter the world of Maud Flynn!!
No comments:
Post a Comment