"Folly" by Marthe Jocelyn

This tale of Victorian England tells the story through multiple voices and years. With echoes of Oliver Twist, we hear from Mary, a simple country girl done wrong; James Nelligan, a fostered waif; Eliza, a a jealous scullery maid; and Oliver, a history teacher with a past. Not nearly as dark or lengthy as your average Dickensonian tome, it still manages to portray the time in realistic terms that show the often insurmountable challenges faced by those on the lower echelon of society. It has sad parts, but it isn't depressing. Mary's voice, in particular, is written in a plaintive, ironic, simple way using vernacular of the period. The "big secret" of the story is one I guessed early on, and while the ending may not be Disney, it isn't bleak. I could wax on, but that would be a disservice to a nice little novel that made for an enjoyable read. Short and to the point, my sense is that it would have wide appeal if you could actually get kids to read historical fiction. While the book is not romance, there is a storyline involving pre-marital sex. It is plainly stated but but not over the top. This element may make the book a better read for somewhat older students.