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rose_reads_'s review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A great childrens books for introducing ideas of what it was like to in the Edwardian Era. It also contains interesting information on Irish history.
lucifer_the_cat's review
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
wordsofclover's review against another edition
5.0
I received this book from O'Brien Press in exchange for an honest review.
When Lily is told she needs to leave school, and put her dreams of becoming a teacher to one side, to go to the big house to work to help her family, she is devastated but willing to do what it takes. As soon as she arrives in Lissadell House, Lily meets her unfriendly roommate and learns the differences between how people live depending on the class system they were born into. Despite everything, Lily gets on with her job with a smile and befriends her employer's niece Maeve - whose mother is Irish revolutionary leader Countess Markievicz.
This was a really, really lovely book about a little Irish girl who loves her family and will do anything to help. This is set in 1913, when it was usual for young girls and boys to leave school to go and work and help their family (particularly children like Lily with only one parent left alive to look after the young ones). Lily is a wonderful character with a sunny disposition and she was a joy to read - her willingness to do what was needed, as well as her kindness to befriend those who were being mean to her is really the perfect character for children of a similar age to read.
There no badness in this book - all the characters (despite some at the start) are nice and kind to Lily - including her employers the Gore-Booths. There was a lovely scene at Christmas time with a doll that's a beautiful reminder to the reader of Lily's age and innocence which I really loved. There was also a bit of fun reading, knowing that the Gore-Booths, some of the servants mentioned and Maeve were all real people and you couldn't help but wonder what their real lives and personalities were like.
I 100% recommend this one for both young and older readers!
When Lily is told she needs to leave school, and put her dreams of becoming a teacher to one side, to go to the big house to work to help her family, she is devastated but willing to do what it takes. As soon as she arrives in Lissadell House, Lily meets her unfriendly roommate and learns the differences between how people live depending on the class system they were born into. Despite everything, Lily gets on with her job with a smile and befriends her employer's niece Maeve - whose mother is Irish revolutionary leader Countess Markievicz.
This was a really, really lovely book about a little Irish girl who loves her family and will do anything to help. This is set in 1913, when it was usual for young girls and boys to leave school to go and work and help their family (particularly children like Lily with only one parent left alive to look after the young ones). Lily is a wonderful character with a sunny disposition and she was a joy to read - her willingness to do what was needed, as well as her kindness to befriend those who were being mean to her is really the perfect character for children of a similar age to read.
There no badness in this book - all the characters (despite some at the start) are nice and kind to Lily - including her employers the Gore-Booths. There was a lovely scene at Christmas time with a doll that's a beautiful reminder to the reader of Lily's age and innocence which I really loved. There was also a bit of fun reading, knowing that the Gore-Booths, some of the servants mentioned and Maeve were all real people and you couldn't help but wonder what their real lives and personalities were like.
I 100% recommend this one for both young and older readers!
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