A Drowned Maiden's Hair: A Melodrama
"People throw the word 'classic' about a lot, but A DROWNED MAIDEN'S HAIR genuinely deserves to become one." — WALL STREET JOURNALMaud Flynn is known at the orphanage for her impertinence. So when the charming Miss Hyacinth chooses her to take home, the girl is pleased but baffled, until it...
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"People throw the word 'classic' about a lot, but A DROWNED MAIDEN'S HAIR genuinely deserves to become one." — WALL STREET JOURNALMaud Flynn is known at the orphanage for her impertinence. So when the charming Miss Hyacinth chooses her to take home, the girl is pleased but baffled, until it becomes clear that she’s needed to help stage elaborate séances for bereaved patrons. As Maud is drawn deeper into the deception, playing her role as a "secret child," she is torn between her need to please and her growing conscience —- until a shocking betrayal shows just how heartless her so-called guardians are. Filled with fascinating details of turn-of-the-century spiritualism and page-turning suspense, this lively novel features a feisty heroine whom readers will not soon forget.
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Format: paperback
ISBN:
9780763638122 (0763638129)
Publish date: April 8th 2008
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Pages no: 400
Edition language: English
Category:
Fantasy,
Young Adult,
Childrens,
Paranormal,
Juvenile,
Historical Fiction,
Middle Grade,
Mystery,
Esoterica,
Ghosts,
Spiritualism
Elements of a gothic novel with an orphan being adopted by three elderly sisters and finds herself being a secret child and secrets and lies that could cost her her life.
I enjoyed this book a lot. I read it in one sitting. Our heroine is an orphan named Maud. We meet her singing a battle anthem in the outhouse. She'd been unruly all day and infuriating her teachers. We are introduced right away to the fact that Maud is honest with herself. She admits when she's been...
Ever try to explain to a ten-year-old what "melodrama" is? I think I succeeded. If she likes it, I'll probably read it too.***She wouldn't read it without a firm thumbs up from me, so I had to read it first. I quite liked it, but she still hasn't read it.
I am glad Tammy recommended this book--I would never have found it otherwise and it was a good read. I have always been interested in seances and such--this was a different take on the topic--great storytelling!
Laura Amy Schlitz has done a great job recreating a good old-fashioned Victorian (Edwardian?) orphan melodrama. She adds to the genre, however, by giving a realistic portrayal of what really goes on in the head of a child who is being used and manipulated by adults. A fast-paced, thoroughly enjoya...