You can't help but love the two protagonists in this surprising story set in mid-1800 England. Jonathan Clyde starts out as a mischievous entitled brat, but we watch him mature into an admirable British gentleman. Lydia Smythe impresses from the beginning as a precocious and perceptive seven-year-old. She becomes even more so as she grows into a witty, hard-working young woman. Both must deal with family tragedies at a young age, and both face their hardships head on.
Jonathan's family estate, Whitehall, has two prominent windows on the topmost floor. They are placed there only to enhance the outer beauty of the home but have no rooms behind them, just unusable space. It's an apt metaphor for the empty pretensions of Sir William and Lady Clyde.
Sir William is a baronet who married a VERY wealthy tradesman's daughter to replenish the family's mostly empty coffers. Both are far more concerned with appearance than substance, and "the Lady" (as she is referred to by both the servants and her own children) is emotionally detatched from her son Jonathan and his siblings.
When the threatening actions of Lydia's alcoholic brother makes it imprudent for her to stay at the family farm, she becomes a servant at Whitehall. Smith is the severe, humorless housekeeper who has hired her, and the Lady immediately changes Lydia's name from "Smythe" (too much like "Smith") to a previous servant's name, "Foote."
Before long, Jonathan is taking notice of this unusually clever-minded maid. Meanwhile, Lydia is noting the symptoms of substance dependency in Jonathan's sister Sophia, who the Lady is pushing relentlessly to any marriageable wealthy gentleman she can find. Lydia also befriends Jonathan's lonely young brother, Elliott.
There are so many other interesting characters! There are Wells and Ploughman, who share the servants' sleeping chambers with Lydia. There's Herman Heldmann, a German farmer Jonathan had met at a museum in Paris during his Grand Tour. When they start a correspondence, Jonathan impulsively invites Heldmann to a ball at Whitehall without expecting him to actually attend.
Ms. Walnofer's writing is a marvel. It flows beautifully and realistically, giving the reader a sense of KNOWING these characters intimately even though they're from a different place and time. The device of shifting the point of view from one character to another with each chapter is unusual and effective. Details contrasting the lifestyles of the servants and the Clydes come across convincingly because of these constantly changing viewpoints.
What I appreciate the most is that the story progresses in unanticipated directions. This author constantly surprises.
The ending is satisfying for our hero and heroine, although the irresponsible "villain" of the piece (for lack of a better word) seems to be getting off without any comeuppance, which I would've dearly loved to read.
Overall, this is a delightful and engaging historical romance.
Content is clean.
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Reviews with images
A Charming, Coming Of Age, Historical Fiction
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4. 1/2 stars
A GIRL CALLED FOOTE
BY A.E. WALNOFER
This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.A charming coming of age historical fiction, that sure will delight readers everywhere. Set in England in the Victorian period of the mid-eighteen hundreds.
Jonathan Clyde, is a mischievous young boy, whose life changes after the death of his titled father, and oldest brother.Raised at his ancestral home of Whitehall,
Lydia Smythe, is a Bookish, confident young farmers daughter that take up employment as a parlor maid at Whitehall. Her disposition is unique and attracts the young Baron, Jonathan. The storyline unfolds and the two lives become more and more intertwined. As their relationship expands to an unconventional one, they are still aware the class difference that is ever present between them.
The rich everyday detailed life of 18th century England comes through the pages of this amusing and thought provoking book. A.E. WALNOFER, creates a engaging historical fiction, part coming of age story with compelling interesting characters, along with social and economic issues presented.
Seamless cohesive narration, makes for a stunning read. Wonderfully detailed atmospheric elements adds to the realistic historical time period.
This was a enjoyable non stop read for me fast read for me, I had a hard time putting down and completely devoured over a day.
I recommend this book to my family and friends and anyone who enjoys coming of age Victorian era dramas.
Top reviews from other countries
Amazon Customer claire Thackeray
Just love these stories.
Reviewed in Australia on December 20, 2023
Bretton Girl
Entertaining and a bit different
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 29, 2015