A True and Faithful Narrative

Well I haven't been my usual cheery self today, and it was noticed... I was asked more than once if I'm depressed and what I'm bummed about, when honestly, I have no idea. Anywho, I spent my morning finishing up A True and Faithful Narrative.

It's about a 16 year old girl living in England in the year 1861 (I think). Her passion is writing and she spends a lot of her time putting together short stories and verses when she isn't reading or minding her father's bookshop (her father doesn't like the fact that she's writing). She's also of the right age for marriage. Which, to be honest, is a bit scary! Getting married at 16?? I know it was the custom then, and marriage even earlier wasn't uncommon, but I find that in that respect, there's no way I could live back then. I'd want to be 10 years older, at least. But that's just me.

Anyways, one day, she's sitting at the counter reading a book and a friend of hers pops by to see if she's got a specific story for him. She refers him to a different shop, and before he leaves he lets her know that he's going on a ship to Italy (I think, I could be wrong), and does she want something from there? And maybe... Is there something special he could look forward to coming back to? She, not being what you'd call a romantic, said he could bring back a tale of him being captured by pirates and enslaved. ...Then she said she was kidding. Dang! Way to let a guy know you're not interested!!

He leaves, and a few months later his father dies. They send word to him, and he hops on the first ship heading for London. ...Unfortunately, that one is taken by pirates and he is enslaved. A ransom is requested and he must wait there until it is met.

Of course, the girl, Meg, is absolutely scared to death that what she said in jest was part of what caused his capture, so she pretty much appoints herself to be the head fundraiser for the ransom. Her father's apprentice, who is usually rude to her, starts to have a change of heart and helps her out. It isn't long before he makes his feelings known to her too.

A story of a love triangle that gives a very interesting look into the past, this story was well told and actually written as though by Meg herself.

I recommend it to girls who have a taste for historical fiction and romance stories.

Til Tomorrow!

-Kj