The Housemaid's Daughter

Author: Barbara Mutch
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 1250031966
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 417

Book Description
Barbara Mutch's stunning first novel tells a story of love and duty colliding on the arid plains of Apartheid-era South Africa When Cathleen Harrington leaves her home in Ireland in 1919 to travel to South Africa, she knows that she does not love the man she is to marry there —her fiance Edward, whom she has not seen for five years. Isolated and estranged in a small town in the harsh Karoo desert, her only real companions are her diary and her housemaid, and later the housemaid's daughter, Ada. When Ada is born, Cathleen recognizes in her someone she can love and respond to in a way that she cannot with her own family. Under Cathleen's tutelage, Ada grows into an accomplished pianist and a reader who cannot resist turning the pages of the diary, discovering the secrets Cathleen sought to hide. As they grow closer, Ada sees new possibilities in front of her—a new horizon. But in one night, everything changes, and Cathleen comes home from a trip to find that Ada has disappeared, scorned by her own community. Cathleen must make a choice: should she conform to society, or search for the girl who has become closer to her than her own daughter? Set against the backdrop of a beautiful, yet divided land, The Housemaid's Daughter is a startling and thought-provoking novel that intricately portrays the drama and heartbreak of two women who rise above cruelty to find love, hope, and redemption.

The Handmaid's Tale

Author: Margaret Atwood
Publisher: McClelland & Stewart
ISBN: 0771008791
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 370

Book Description
An instant classic and eerily prescient cultural phenomenon, from “the patron saint of feminist dystopian fiction” (New York Times). Now an award-winning Hulu series starring Elizabeth Moss. In this multi-award-winning, bestselling novel, Margaret Atwood has created a stunning Orwellian vision of the near future. This is the story of Offred, one of the unfortunate “Handmaids” under the new social order who have only one purpose: to breed. In Gilead, where women are prohibited from holding jobs, reading, and forming friendships, Offred’s persistent memories of life in the “time before” and her will to survive are acts of rebellion. Provocative, startling, prophetic, and with Margaret Atwood’s devastating irony, wit, and acute perceptive powers in full force, The Handmaid’s Tale is at once a mordant satire and a dire warning.

The Housemaid

Author: Amma Darko
Publisher: Heinemann
ISBN: 9780435910082
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 116

Book Description
Amma Darko's new novel is a dramatic story of exploitation in modern Ghana.

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall

Author: Julie Klassen
Publisher: Bethany House
ISBN: 1441269924
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 417

Book Description
Regency Romance and Mystery from Bestselling Author Julie Klassen Pampered Margaret Macy flees London in disguise to escape pressure to marry a dishonorable man. With no money and nowhere else to go, she takes a position as a housemaid in the home of Nathaniel Upchurch, a suitor she once rejected in hopes of winning his dashing brother. Praying no one will recognize her, Margaret fumbles through the first real work of her life. If she can last until her next birthday, she will gain an inheritance from a spinster aunt--and sweet independence. But can she remain hidden as a servant even when prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall? Observing both brothers as an "invisible" servant, Margaret learns she may have misjudged Nathaniel. Is it too late to rekindle his admiration? And when one of the family is nearly killed, Margaret alone discovers who was responsible. Should she come forward, even at the risk of her reputation and perhaps her life? And can she avoid an obvious trap meant to force her from hiding? On her journey from wellborn lady to servant to uncertain future, Margaret must learn to look past appearances and find the true meaning of "serve one another in love."

Augusta's Daughter

Author: Judit Martin
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781932043815
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 238

Book Description
Excerpt: "Presently the evenness of his breathing told her he was asleep. For a long time she lay on her back just as he had left her, mulling over her situation. In those brief minutes everything had supposedly righted itself. She had officially left her girlhood behind forever and become a woman. The days of wearing her hair down her back in a long braid were gone, although she was not yet entitled to wear a married woman's kerchief. Nor did she any longer belong to the group of young housemaids who had been her friends, nor to a group of married women whom she hardly knew. All at once she felt very alone, not knowing what was expected of her. The only thing she knew for sure was that her life had taken a false turn, and she didn't know how to set it right again." ========================= Nineteenth century Swedish peasant life was not always the dance around the Midsummer pole portrayed by the artists of the time. Those same peasants lived daily lives in the shadow of the all-powerful village church, controlled by the countless rules, customs, and traditions that governed every aspect of their existence, leaving no room for individual deviations. When it became known that Augusta Torsdotter's daughter Elsa-Carolina was illegitimate, the course of both of their lives irrevokably changed. As an adult, Elsa-Carolina immigrated to America, turning her back on the past. It wasn't until three-quarters of a century later, at the age of 94, that she returned to Sweden, to come to terms with her girlhood. "The harshness of Swedish peasant life and landscape is beautifully chronicled in Judit Martin's novel. Her knowledge of the culture, customs, work, superstitions, and attitudes of the day opens up that world for those of us seeking to know our Swedish ancestors." -Joan Morrison Granddaughter of Swedish immigrants Charleston, Maine ===================== "Wonderful and evocative! A captivating and enlightening read!" -Mr. Jan Smedh Bookseller The English Bookshop Upsala & Stockholm, Sweden This book is intended for mature audiences.

The World's Daughter

Author: Cyril Harcourt
Publisher: London : J. Lane, Bodley Head ; Toronto : Bell & Cockburn
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 328

Book Description

The Housekeeper's Daughter

Author: Rosie Meddon
Publisher: Canelo
ISBN: 1788630793
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 351

Book Description
A story of family, secrets and love set in the beautiful Devonshire countryside at Woodicombe House. Kate Bratton dreams of more. It’s 1914, and her life is mapped out ahead of her: continue working as a maid in the beautiful Woodicombe House, settle down with Luke the gardener and, of course, start a family. Desperate to run away in search of adventure, Kate’s plans are curtailed by the arrival of the Russell family at Woodicombe House. Tasked with becoming a ladies-maid for their daughter, Naomi, Kate gets a glimpse of the other side of life. Little does she know that all families have secrets, no matter their standing. Will Kate return to the safety of her life before the Russell’s departure? Or will the handsome Ned Russell turn her head? The Woodicombe House Sagas The Housekeer’s Daughter A Wife’s War The Soldier's Return Praise for The Housekeeper's Daughter: ‘I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and found the story to flow well. There were many twists and turns that built up to the final conclusion. Very enjoyable and definitely recommended’ 5* Reader review

The Secret Daughter

Author: Catherine King
Publisher: Sphere
ISBN: 074813378X
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 244

Book Description
A heart-breaking and nostalgic family saga set around the launch of Titanic. Perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Rosie Goodwin and Val Wood Will the secrets in her past protect her from that fateful crossing? After her father is killed in the employ of an Earl, Phyllis Kimber's entire future is called into question. But the Earl knows something about Phyllis that means she will always be looked after . . . Lady's maid to American heiress Martha, Phyllis is her only confidant in England: she knows Martha doesn't love the recently widowed Lord Melton, the man Martha's socially ambitious father is determined she marries, but there's another secret - a secret that makes Phyllis give up everything to protect her friend. As the Titanic prepares for its maiden voyage, Phyllis makes preparations to journey to America with Martha and her family, but the secret she's keeping threatens to destroy all hope for a new future. Unaware of the undiscovered secrets in her own past, Phyllis must decide where her loyalties lie . . . unaware too of the tragedy that is about to unfold on that fateful crossing . . . Readers love Catherine King's heart-breaking and nostalgic, Titanic-set novel: 'I was completely immersed in the way this story unfolded . . . I shall be looking for more books by this same author' 'Brilliant read. Just couldn't put it down!' 'Catherine King never fails to tell a great story' 'Love this author! Excellent read' 'Could not put it down - better than watching TV'

The Girl with the Louding Voice

Author: Abi Daré
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 1524746096
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 401

Book Description
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A READ WITH JENNA TODAY SHOW BOOK CLUB PICK! “Brave, fresh . . . unforgettable.”—The New York Times Book Review “A celebration of girls who dare to dream.”—Imbolo Mbue, author of Behold the Dreamers (Oprah’s Book Club pick) Shortlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize and recommended by The New York Times, Marie Claire, Vogue, Essence, PopSugar, Daily Mail, Electric Literature, Red, Stylist, Daily Kos, Library Journal, The Everygirl, and Read It Forward! The unforgettable, inspiring story of a teenage girl growing up in a rural Nigerian village who longs to get an education so that she can find her “louding voice” and speak up for herself, The Girl with the Louding Voice is a simultaneously heartbreaking and triumphant tale about the power of fighting for your dreams. Despite the seemingly insurmountable obstacles in her path, Adunni never loses sight of her goal of escaping the life of poverty she was born into so that she can build the future she chooses for herself – and help other girls like her do the same. Her spirited determination to find joy and hope in even the most difficult circumstances imaginable will “break your heart and then put it back together again” (Jenna Bush Hager on The Today Show) even as Adunni shows us how one courageous young girl can inspire us all to reach for our dreams…and maybe even change the world.

The Help

Author: Kathryn Stockett
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0425245136
Category : African American women
Languages : en
Pages : 546