Folly by Marthe Jocelyn: Review

Folly

By: Marthe Jocelyn

 Received from Around the World Tours

Synopsis (From Goodreads):

Three fates intertwine in this moving and passionate love story set in Victorian London.

Mary Finn: country girl, maid to a lord in London

Caden Tucker: liar, scoundrel, and heart's delight

James Nelligan: age six, tossed into a herd of boys

When Mary Finn falls into the arms of handsome Caden Tucker, their frolic changes the course of her life. What possesses her? She's been a girl of common sense until now. Mary's tale alternates with that of young James Nelligan, a new boy in an enormous foundling home.

My Review:
I knew very little about this book going into it. All I knew was that it was historical fiction. And... honestly, I'm not the biggest fan of historical fiction. I like my stories with a bit of the impossible mixed in.

I was not expecting the emotional reaction that I had to this book.

I got absolutely sucked into Mary's story. And for the four hours that I spent reading this book I shared in her happiness, vulnerability, and intense sadness. Marthe Jocelyn has created a masterpiece of historical fiction that I will not soon forget.

I was engrossed in every character's story. I was concerned at first since the book is told from four different perspectives. It definitely has the potential to get very confusing. Especially since I read very fast and sometimes skip over important parts, thus losing details.  But, I was able to follow each story and keep all the characters separated.

And little James. Oh how I wanted to reach through the pages of this book and cuddle that poor boy. Marthe captured beautifully the emotions and sadness of a six year-old boy.  I had never heard of the "foundlings" before, even though I did take a European history class. I felt such an intense sadness for these children who never knew their mothers and were taken away from their foster parents at such an early age.  It was really eye-opening to see how unwed mothers were treated. In many cases, they were left with very few options.

The end of this book left me in tears. I cried for every single character in this story, even the ones I hated. Even the characters that I hated were so beautifully crafted that I felt like they deserved a chance at happiness as well.

Thank you so much Marthe Jocelyn for sharing this story. I can't wait to read more of your work.

Book-A-Likes: The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman, Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

My Rating:

5 Stars!

Profanity: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol: Mild
Sexuality: Moderate
Violence: Mild

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson: Review

Chains

By: Laurie Halse Anderson

Historical Fiction

While America struggles for independence, Isabel wages her own war for freedom. Even though she is promised freedom upon the death of her owner, Isabel and her sister Ruth are given to a cruel New York couple, the Locktons. She is offered an opportunity to spy for the American rebels, but soon realizes her loyalty lies with those who will give her freedom.

I don't read a lot of historical fiction, especially on the basis of slavery. However, you can't help but just have your heart go out to this girl. Her mother and father are both dead, and she's left to try to secure freedom for herself and her sister, while a war rages on outside her door. Isabel has a lot of grit and works very hard.  There are other good-hearted redeeming characters in the story that make you feel like maybe someday Isabel will realize her dream of being free. The book is almost like a very real series of unfortunate events.

Although it wasn't the kind of book that I usually read, it was worthwhile. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars.