What do you think?
Rate this book
Folly
Three fates intertwine in this moving and passionate love story set in Victorian London.
Mary country girl, maid to a lord in London
Caden liar, scoundrel, and heart's delight
James age six, tossed into a herd of boys
When Mary Finn falls into the arms of handsome Caden Tucker, their frolic changes the course of her life. What possesses her? She's been a girl of common sense until now. Mary's tale alternates with that of young James Nelligan, a new boy in an enormous foundling home.
In Folly , Marthe Jocelyn's breathtaking command of language, detail, and character brings Victorian London to life on every page, while the deep emotions that illuminate this fascinating novel about life-changing moments are as current as today's news.
From the Hardcover edition.
Mary country girl, maid to a lord in London
Caden liar, scoundrel, and heart's delight
James age six, tossed into a herd of boys
When Mary Finn falls into the arms of handsome Caden Tucker, their frolic changes the course of her life. What possesses her? She's been a girl of common sense until now. Mary's tale alternates with that of young James Nelligan, a new boy in an enormous foundling home.
In Folly , Marthe Jocelyn's breathtaking command of language, detail, and character brings Victorian London to life on every page, while the deep emotions that illuminate this fascinating novel about life-changing moments are as current as today's news.
From the Hardcover edition.
256 pages, Library Binding
First published May 11, 2010
5 people are currently reading
1808 people want to read
About the author
Marthe Jocelyn
57 books179 followersCanadian born
22 books published for young readers"
22 books published for young readers"
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
May 31, 2011
I honestly don't know why I didn't like this book. I mean, yes. I picked it up because the cover looked all fantasy-ish and I thought I'd get a fantasy and fairies out of it, but when I read the blurb I knew that wasn't going to happen. If I'd been looking for a book like this, I would have been satisfied, but I wasn't.
Why did I finish it, then?
Well, it's pretty well-written. And it seemed well-researched, though I'm not sure whether or not it is. The voices of the characters are distinct and interesting. The story is very predictable, and knowing from the beginning that it will lead her to ruin it was hard to read about Mary's 'romance' with Caden Tucker.
I guess in essence this book was technically good, but not very engrossing. The pacing felt odd at times, and the issues could probably have been examined better in a longer, more in-depth book. It was hard to keep track of time, since chapter titles usually told only years, not months or days.
But in the end, it was short and competent and so probably deserved three stars; one deducted for being rather lifeless.
Why did I finish it, then?
Well, it's pretty well-written. And it seemed well-researched, though I'm not sure whether or not it is. The voices of the characters are distinct and interesting. The story is very predictable, and knowing from the beginning that it will lead her to ruin it was hard to read about Mary's 'romance' with Caden Tucker.
I guess in essence this book was technically good, but not very engrossing. The pacing felt odd at times, and the issues could probably have been examined better in a longer, more in-depth book. It was hard to keep track of time, since chapter titles usually told only years, not months or days.
But in the end, it was short and competent and so probably deserved three stars; one deducted for being rather lifeless.
February 21, 2017
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfer...
2.5 Stars
This book is set in Victorian London, told in four alternating perspectives. 14 year old Mary Finn is sent away from her family to begin working as a servant at Allyn House. At the age of 16, she meets a boy named Caden Tucker who she falls for. James Nelligan is being sent off to live in the Foundling Hospital after being a foster child for 6 years.
I found it very obvious how James and Mary's stories would be intertwined after the first few changes of perspective. I did love James as a character though, he was very cheeky and fun to read. I liked Mary as well, I think she was very headstrong, honest and knew what she wanted. I found that Oliver and Eliza's POV were a bit unnecessary for the story, but I didn't mind them as characters. I like that the author told the story with the language they used in that time period, I think it made the book more interesting. I did find the pacing to be a bit slow though and found myself bored at some points.
2.5 Stars
This book is set in Victorian London, told in four alternating perspectives. 14 year old Mary Finn is sent away from her family to begin working as a servant at Allyn House. At the age of 16, she meets a boy named Caden Tucker who she falls for. James Nelligan is being sent off to live in the Foundling Hospital after being a foster child for 6 years.
I found it very obvious how James and Mary's stories would be intertwined after the first few changes of perspective. I did love James as a character though, he was very cheeky and fun to read. I liked Mary as well, I think she was very headstrong, honest and knew what she wanted. I found that Oliver and Eliza's POV were a bit unnecessary for the story, but I didn't mind them as characters. I like that the author told the story with the language they used in that time period, I think it made the book more interesting. I did find the pacing to be a bit slow though and found myself bored at some points.
July 13, 2010
Have you read Folly yet? If not then you have no idea that you are missing out on. This historical fiction by Marthe Jocelyn has all the elements of a great story; a strong cast of characters, great story line and plot that is not to obvious and the story is really well paced. But more importantly, it has a real message behind the story. By the time you get into this book, you would not want this story to end.
Folly is about a young woman Mary, who leaves her comfort zone in the country side to work in London. The move is orchestrated by her 'evil step mother'. Her new position in the Allyn house brings not only a new opportunity for her but it also brings jealously, intrigue and love. For those of us who judge a book by its cover, the front cover of this book doesn’t accurately prepare you for the story that you are about to read. It’s the first paragraph in the book that grips you and sets up the tone for the remainder of the book.
Jocelyn uses four point-of-views to help tell the story of Mary and James. These characters live in different time periods ie Mary (1878) and James (1888). I thought it was a great idea to not only get the perspective of the two main characters but to also get the perspective of other people who are closely related to the story. Without even knowing it, those four points-of-view is what ultimately builds the story.
It is evident that Marthe‘s book belongs in the young adult genre. There are many issues in the story that would resonate well with that age bracket. Jocelyn is also really good at tapping into the emotions of teens and young adults no matter what period in time they live in. I guess you can call folly a great coming of age story as well since in the beginning, Mary’s tone starts off as a teenager but ends as an adult. Somehow, Jocelyn’s writing allows Mary to mature right in front of your eyes. You especially notice it in her tone coming to the end of the book. I think that adults will also appreciate this story since Mary grapples with very adult issues. You cannot help but feel for Mary in her situation.
Speaking of the lead character, I really really liked her and I wished all women could be like her. Mary is funny, witting and so headstrong. She stands up for what she believes in even if that appears to be going against the established status quo in nineteenth century England. James on the other hand is so youthful, brave and extremely smart. It was a joy to get to know him.
This is a light, funny story with real issues and Jocelyn is a great author who, even though she remains relatively unknown, should be on everyone’s reading list.
Folly is about a young woman Mary, who leaves her comfort zone in the country side to work in London. The move is orchestrated by her 'evil step mother'. Her new position in the Allyn house brings not only a new opportunity for her but it also brings jealously, intrigue and love. For those of us who judge a book by its cover, the front cover of this book doesn’t accurately prepare you for the story that you are about to read. It’s the first paragraph in the book that grips you and sets up the tone for the remainder of the book.
Jocelyn uses four point-of-views to help tell the story of Mary and James. These characters live in different time periods ie Mary (1878) and James (1888). I thought it was a great idea to not only get the perspective of the two main characters but to also get the perspective of other people who are closely related to the story. Without even knowing it, those four points-of-view is what ultimately builds the story.
It is evident that Marthe‘s book belongs in the young adult genre. There are many issues in the story that would resonate well with that age bracket. Jocelyn is also really good at tapping into the emotions of teens and young adults no matter what period in time they live in. I guess you can call folly a great coming of age story as well since in the beginning, Mary’s tone starts off as a teenager but ends as an adult. Somehow, Jocelyn’s writing allows Mary to mature right in front of your eyes. You especially notice it in her tone coming to the end of the book. I think that adults will also appreciate this story since Mary grapples with very adult issues. You cannot help but feel for Mary in her situation.
Speaking of the lead character, I really really liked her and I wished all women could be like her. Mary is funny, witting and so headstrong. She stands up for what she believes in even if that appears to be going against the established status quo in nineteenth century England. James on the other hand is so youthful, brave and extremely smart. It was a joy to get to know him.
This is a light, funny story with real issues and Jocelyn is a great author who, even though she remains relatively unknown, should be on everyone’s reading list.
January 13, 2011
Folly is an historical novel set in Victorian London, told in alternating voices. Mary Finn is a Lincolnshire country girl who is sent into service as a maid to an aristocratic family. Her mother has died giving birth and Mary is now a surrogate mother to her siblings, until her father re-marries a woman who has no interest in caring for her step-children. Mary, a thorn in her side, is sent away to learn to be a maid. James has spent his first six years as a foster child, but now has to return to the London Foundling Home, which is absolutely Dickensian in atmosphere. Still, the Foundling Home was a progressive institution when infants were left on rubbish heaps to die before the Home was established. Despite the rigid and bleak ambiance of the Home, the orphans are all giving occupational training and an education so they will no longer be a “burden” on society as adults. Both James and Mary have had fairly happy childhoods, but are evicted from family life and have to learn to survive on their own. Mary falls prey to a charming boy who deserts her when she learns she is pregnant. Evicted from her position, she is forced to wander the streets. A kind woman takes her in, but once again she is evicted when the woman dies. This is the cruel reality of Victorian life. Children and woman are most vulnerable to losing their homes, families, and ultimately, their lives when their support system fails. Kind of like today! The author illuminates this brilliantly with historical detail and language that make this time and the dilemma of the characters come to life. A plot twist connecting James and Mary becomes evident when the author meshes both stories at the end of the novel. Sharp readers will note the dates of each chapter title and figure it out ahead of time. I loved the way the arc of the characters begin in similar fashion, then spin out to a unique plot for each character and then intertwines their stories at the end. I love that Mary tells her story in her native Lincolnshire dialect. The prose is crisp and matter of fact, yet poetic.
June 22, 2010
The Good Stuff
* Beautifully written
* Written so eloquently and real that you feel you are back in the late 1800's
* Heartbreakingly sad
* Great story for convincing kids to use birth control
* Impossible to put down, you care so much for EVERYONE in the story
* James: I must adopt that boy and give him a great big hug
* Extremely impressed with authors attention to detail and a truly remarkable gift for storytelling in all era's. I look forward to reading more of her works. I have also reviewed her other book Would You
The Not so Good Stuff
* language may be a little challenging for the younger YA reader (Or an overtired Mommy)
* Need a lot of kleenex while reading it -- must stop reading sad books in my office, at reference desk and in front of my husband (he made fun of me the cad)
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"I did not know the heart were like a china teacup hanging in the cupboard from a single hook, that it could chip and crack and finally smash to the ground under a book heel."
"Well, you'll not want to know the details any more than we did, though it might benefit mothers forever if young men had a brighter ken of how a baby arrives."
What I Learned
* That I am damn grateful that I wasn't alive during the late 1800's
* Some old English terms
Who should/shouldn't read
* Due to sexual content I would recommend it for older YA readers. (It isn't very graphic though)
* Probably not the best for a reluctant reader as language is a little challenging
* A must addition to public and school libraries
4 Dewey's (Definitely worth price of cover)
* Beautifully written
* Written so eloquently and real that you feel you are back in the late 1800's
* Heartbreakingly sad
* Great story for convincing kids to use birth control
* Impossible to put down, you care so much for EVERYONE in the story
* James: I must adopt that boy and give him a great big hug
* Extremely impressed with authors attention to detail and a truly remarkable gift for storytelling in all era's. I look forward to reading more of her works. I have also reviewed her other book Would You
The Not so Good Stuff
* language may be a little challenging for the younger YA reader (Or an overtired Mommy)
* Need a lot of kleenex while reading it -- must stop reading sad books in my office, at reference desk and in front of my husband (he made fun of me the cad)
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"I did not know the heart were like a china teacup hanging in the cupboard from a single hook, that it could chip and crack and finally smash to the ground under a book heel."
"Well, you'll not want to know the details any more than we did, though it might benefit mothers forever if young men had a brighter ken of how a baby arrives."
What I Learned
* That I am damn grateful that I wasn't alive during the late 1800's
* Some old English terms
Who should/shouldn't read
* Due to sexual content I would recommend it for older YA readers. (It isn't very graphic though)
* Probably not the best for a reluctant reader as language is a little challenging
* A must addition to public and school libraries
4 Dewey's (Definitely worth price of cover)
February 1, 2011
Okay. You got me. I shop by cover sometimes. Who doesn't? The cover catches your eye and you think I've got to have that! The same with shopping for clothes only for me it's books. Well, that's what happened with Folly. I had to know why the girl looked that way. I still don't know why, but it was a good book.
I started the book a little disappointed because it was written in 19th century vernacular. It was hard to understand at first. Then I don't know if the author stopped writing that way or I just got used to it because soon it didn't matter. It was clear as a bell to me. I really fell in love with the three main characters. There was nothing about them not to love. Mary was a country girl only 14 when she was forced to leave home, but she was strong willed and sure and good, back when that really meant something. James was a brave boy at six and smart to figure out how to get along in the world without getting picked on and he was so lovable, I could picture him with his blonde curls and giving his head a rub. And my heart ached for Oliver Chester who didn't feel like he was worthy of leaving the place he grew up. The chapters go back and forth between the characters and weaves the story only fully revealing the whole story at the very end, but an astute reader can probably guess the ending before then. I wasn't very astute until I went back and looked at the chapters.
The book wasn't very long, but it was heartbreaking in places,(not enough to make me cry) and heartwarming in others. I read this in a couple of hours and enjoyed it. But, I still don't understand the cover. Maybe someone else will.
I started the book a little disappointed because it was written in 19th century vernacular. It was hard to understand at first. Then I don't know if the author stopped writing that way or I just got used to it because soon it didn't matter. It was clear as a bell to me. I really fell in love with the three main characters. There was nothing about them not to love. Mary was a country girl only 14 when she was forced to leave home, but she was strong willed and sure and good, back when that really meant something. James was a brave boy at six and smart to figure out how to get along in the world without getting picked on and he was so lovable, I could picture him with his blonde curls and giving his head a rub. And my heart ached for Oliver Chester who didn't feel like he was worthy of leaving the place he grew up. The chapters go back and forth between the characters and weaves the story only fully revealing the whole story at the very end, but an astute reader can probably guess the ending before then. I wasn't very astute until I went back and looked at the chapters.
The book wasn't very long, but it was heartbreaking in places,(not enough to make me cry) and heartwarming in others. I read this in a couple of hours and enjoyed it. But, I still don't understand the cover. Maybe someone else will.
April 12, 2014
What I expected from Folly and what I got were two very different things. Constantly alternating points of view do little to keep hold of your interest, but create a nice surprise when coming full-circle in the end.
The alternating perspectives throughout the novel really irked me. Out of the four that take place (Mary, James, Eliza and Oliver) only two really had reason to. I felt that Eliza’s point of view was completely unecessary, and were often short and abrupt, and Oliver’s just felt out of place. For instance I think the character of Caden Tucker would have held more sway over the reader in his standing as a narrator. But, though he was sort of integral to the story (moreso than Oliver and Eliza, at least) he didn’t narrate at all. The synopsis suggests otherwise.
What initially got me stumbling over this book was the language used. I find historical reads a little slow to get into, but Folly really took the cake in that argument. There was absolutely no modernization of the language or the themes explored. Reading Folly is exactly like being thrust into the time period – which can either be a blessing or a curse, depending on your reading preferences.
The first half of the story was, to put it mildly, an excruciating read for me. I read only 27 pages or so and then had to put it down. It was a shame because I’d been waiting on reading this one for quite some time after reading the synopsis. I started up again the next day (today) and found that the reader before me had only gotten around to the 40 page mark, as there was a bookmark left in the page. It seemed I wasn’t the only reader with dwindling interest.
However, eager to press on and give the book a chance, I read on and managed to finish it. It’s quite a short book, but the language and the bland lives of the characters make it feel a lot longer. Folly isn’t a book I’ll be re-reading – or even recommending – but I am glad I did finish it, if only to see how the characters of Mary and James became intertwined.
I have to say, though, Folly isn’t a ‘passionate love story’ in the slightest! If anything it’s a cautionary tale of what can happen when a ‘smart’ girl gets swept away by love. If you’re going to go into reading this one, keep that in mind.
Recommended to: I suppose lovers of Victorian-set fiction will enjoy this one well enough. I have a bit of varied taste in the genre, but this wasn’t all what I was expecting. It chronicles mainly the day-to-day life of servants, etc. There is drama, but it’s not all that eventful.
May 9, 2010
Product Details
* Pub. Date: May 11, 2010
* Publisher:Random House Children’s Books
* Format: Hardcover, 256pp
* Sales Rank: 432,074
* Age Range: Young Adult
* ISBN-13: 9780385738460
* ISBN: 0385738463
Folly by Marthe Jocelyn is a historical fiction journey through Victorian England told through the eyes of four separate characters. The first character that we meet is Mary. Mary’s mother died and she was forced to take care of her younger siblings until her father remarried. The woman he remarried did not care for Mary and sent her away for an “opportunity.” That opportunity actually landed her a position that took her to London where she was hoping to be a help to a baby, but ended up as a scullery maid. From that position she meets Bates, a scoundrel that works with her and seems to have an eye for the ladies, Eliza, who becomes Mary’s tutor for domestic service, bunkmate, and ultimate enemy, and some young army men that change her life forever. Eliza is another character that the reader sees through the eyes of. Eliza is a bit more vindictive and only has her heart set on Bates. She is the catalyst for many problems that Mary faces even if she doesn’t quite know it. The other two narrators are speaking from ten years ahead of Mary and Eliza’s tale. The first is James. James is an orphan who is sent to the Foundling, a place where disadvantaged children are taught to be contributing members of society. He is a naughty little boy whose only goal is to be with his foster-mother again. The last narrator is Oliver. Oliver is a teacher at the Foundling. He sympathizes with the boys because he was once in their shoes. His role is a mentor to James.
I have been on a historical fiction kick lately, so this book fit in with the rest of what I have been reading. I enjoyed seeing bits of history directly from the character’s point of view. I think that altogether this story was more about the characters and their insights than anything else. My favorite narrator was Mary. She is such a passionate character that literally gets caught up in some good and bad luck. I believe that following her tale was very moving. The only thing that I did not particularly like about this novel was that I knew what was going to happen at the end long before it happened. I am pretty good at predicting stories, but I think that the ending was rather played out. It is something that has been done a lot and I’m certain even my students would know exactly what was going to happen. Also, there is a sex scene that is a little racy for a younger audience.
4/5 stars
* Pub. Date: May 11, 2010
* Publisher:Random House Children’s Books
* Format: Hardcover, 256pp
* Sales Rank: 432,074
* Age Range: Young Adult
* ISBN-13: 9780385738460
* ISBN: 0385738463
Folly by Marthe Jocelyn is a historical fiction journey through Victorian England told through the eyes of four separate characters. The first character that we meet is Mary. Mary’s mother died and she was forced to take care of her younger siblings until her father remarried. The woman he remarried did not care for Mary and sent her away for an “opportunity.” That opportunity actually landed her a position that took her to London where she was hoping to be a help to a baby, but ended up as a scullery maid. From that position she meets Bates, a scoundrel that works with her and seems to have an eye for the ladies, Eliza, who becomes Mary’s tutor for domestic service, bunkmate, and ultimate enemy, and some young army men that change her life forever. Eliza is another character that the reader sees through the eyes of. Eliza is a bit more vindictive and only has her heart set on Bates. She is the catalyst for many problems that Mary faces even if she doesn’t quite know it. The other two narrators are speaking from ten years ahead of Mary and Eliza’s tale. The first is James. James is an orphan who is sent to the Foundling, a place where disadvantaged children are taught to be contributing members of society. He is a naughty little boy whose only goal is to be with his foster-mother again. The last narrator is Oliver. Oliver is a teacher at the Foundling. He sympathizes with the boys because he was once in their shoes. His role is a mentor to James.
I have been on a historical fiction kick lately, so this book fit in with the rest of what I have been reading. I enjoyed seeing bits of history directly from the character’s point of view. I think that altogether this story was more about the characters and their insights than anything else. My favorite narrator was Mary. She is such a passionate character that literally gets caught up in some good and bad luck. I believe that following her tale was very moving. The only thing that I did not particularly like about this novel was that I knew what was going to happen at the end long before it happened. I am pretty good at predicting stories, but I think that the ending was rather played out. It is something that has been done a lot and I’m certain even my students would know exactly what was going to happen. Also, there is a sex scene that is a little racy for a younger audience.
4/5 stars
January 9, 2012
I often feel my reviews for books that I didn't like are more informative than those for books I did like.
Sometimes it's difficult to describe exactly why you liked a particular book so much, this might be one of those times.
I will tell you I loved the character, James Nelligan, who's had a foster home with Mr. and Mrs. Peevey for the first six years of his life and now must return to the Foundling Hospital where he will learn to be useful and thankful that he was spared a life in the gutter or worse.
I also liked Mary Finn, she's honest, bright-eyed and hardworking and has a knack for taking care of the wee ones, she's been caring for her brothers and sister since she was thirteen, when her mother died just after giving birth to her fifth child.
I liked this story although the telling could be a bit off putting for some readers. The story is revealed in chapters that alternate view point and chronology so that it's a little like putting together a puzzle. But if the reader is paying close attention they will be able to figure out the connection between the seemingly separate stories.
Maybe part of the reason that I connected with this book is because I have a son who is the same age James was at the beginning of the book and I could imagine very easily the horror it would be for him to have to leave the only home he'd ever known and the woman he loved as his mother. Horror too for his foster mother who lost her first born son and loved James as her own. So, imagining their feelings wasn't difficult, awful but not hard to do.
I also liked all of the supporting characters, the period details and the language the author used to tell her story. I think she's a very good storyteller.
I would recommend this to adult readers who enjoy the YA genre and for mature YA readers. There is a sexual relationship, and while the description of the encounters are rather chaste, the story is really more appropriate for a mature reading audience.
Sometimes it's difficult to describe exactly why you liked a particular book so much, this might be one of those times.
I will tell you I loved the character, James Nelligan, who's had a foster home with Mr. and Mrs. Peevey for the first six years of his life and now must return to the Foundling Hospital where he will learn to be useful and thankful that he was spared a life in the gutter or worse.
I also liked Mary Finn, she's honest, bright-eyed and hardworking and has a knack for taking care of the wee ones, she's been caring for her brothers and sister since she was thirteen, when her mother died just after giving birth to her fifth child.
I liked this story although the telling could be a bit off putting for some readers. The story is revealed in chapters that alternate view point and chronology so that it's a little like putting together a puzzle. But if the reader is paying close attention they will be able to figure out the connection between the seemingly separate stories.
Maybe part of the reason that I connected with this book is because I have a son who is the same age James was at the beginning of the book and I could imagine very easily the horror it would be for him to have to leave the only home he'd ever known and the woman he loved as his mother. Horror too for his foster mother who lost her first born son and loved James as her own. So, imagining their feelings wasn't difficult, awful but not hard to do.
I also liked all of the supporting characters, the period details and the language the author used to tell her story. I think she's a very good storyteller.
I would recommend this to adult readers who enjoy the YA genre and for mature YA readers. There is a sexual relationship, and while the description of the encounters are rather chaste, the story is really more appropriate for a mature reading audience.
March 24, 2011
Folly is a superbly written piece of YA historical fiction from Canadian author Marthe Jocelyn. Following the intertwined stories of a spirited boy living at a dickensian orphanage and a naive countrified "tweeny" (a housemaid who is between belowstairs and upstairs, doing jobs in the kitchen and in the house), Folly serves as a beautiful testimony for the oppressed women and children of victorian England who didn't have voices of their own. My only dislike was that I felt things tied up just a tiny bit too neatly in the end, with . I'd recommend this book more for mature young adults, probably about ages 15-16 and up, since it does include sex, pregnancy, and a brief birth scene, although the sex is only ever described euphemistically.
March 4, 2010
This moving historical novel tells the story of a young country girl who becomes pregnant in 19th c. London and cannot care for herself or her baby. The Foundling Hospital accepts the infant and sends the mother on her way. In alternating chapters, the baby's story and the mother's show a picture of desperate times.
January 30, 2010
At Reading Rants:
http://www.readingrants.org/2010/01/3...
http://www.readingrants.org/2010/01/3...
March 12, 2015
I very much enjoyed this book. I felt for Mary and James and the end brought tears to my eyes. It was predictable, but I don't really think the author meant anything to really be a surprise.
July 27, 2010
Folly is a book that I discovered entirely through book blogs, and I was excited to land a spot on a tour for it. Despite the kind of unusual looking cover and the strange expression on the cover model's face, this book isn't paranormal in the slightest; rather, it's extremely vivid, detailed historical fiction that combines the brutality of life for working people in this time period with an effervescent hope and desire for a better life.
Mary Finn starts her life living in the country but, upon her father's remarriage after her mother's death, is sent to the city to find work and support herself. A twist of fate lands Mary as a between-stairs maid in a lord's house instead of keeping house for her dour stepmother's presumably equally dour sister. From there she meets Bates, houseboy/horndog and the inexplicable love interest of Eliza, the other maid, who steps into the role of Mary's mentor.
The points of view of Mary and Eliza alternate with those of James, a young orphan who's living in a group home for orphans, and Oliver, one of the teachers of said orphans. I'll give you a hint right now, the dates on each chapter are important and indicate something important about the story and the path to the ultimate resolution. Aaaand that's all I'll say about that.
The living conditions for each of the characters can be startlingly bleak sometimes; it can be hard to remember that survival alone was a lofty goal for many people for a long time (and still is today.) Everyone has to work hard, maintain appearances at all times, and never, ever, ever let any indiscretion become public knowledge, lest they be left to fend for themselves with the rest of society's "undesired elements." This book does a good job of illustrating the vast differences between life in this time period and life in today's world.
In addition to a hearty dose of historical realism, this book also illustrates how a few careless decisions or actions on one person's part can have longstanding repercussions for others. Eliza's actions are the best example of this: in her refusal to accept that Bates, another servant in the house, may just not be that into her, she goes out of her way to snoop and spy on Mary, convinced that Mary is the one who's stolen Bates' heart. Well, she has, but the funny thing is, Mary's heart belongs to someone else, a fact which would have been easy to discern if Eliza had asked instead of going godzilla. What happens next would definitely be a comedy of errors if the results hadn't been so tragic for Mary.
Folly is densely packed with details despite its relatively short length, and each of them is important to the story. While the ultimate resolution of the story is satisfactory and everyone gets what they want in the end, some folks have to wait a long time for their happily-ever-after. This book is definitely one that's off the beaten path, and if the premise sounds like something you'd enjoy I can definitely recommend picking it up.
Overall Grade: A-
Check out more reviews at What Book is That?
Mary Finn starts her life living in the country but, upon her father's remarriage after her mother's death, is sent to the city to find work and support herself. A twist of fate lands Mary as a between-stairs maid in a lord's house instead of keeping house for her dour stepmother's presumably equally dour sister. From there she meets Bates, houseboy/horndog and the inexplicable love interest of Eliza, the other maid, who steps into the role of Mary's mentor.
The points of view of Mary and Eliza alternate with those of James, a young orphan who's living in a group home for orphans, and Oliver, one of the teachers of said orphans. I'll give you a hint right now, the dates on each chapter are important and indicate something important about the story and the path to the ultimate resolution. Aaaand that's all I'll say about that.
The living conditions for each of the characters can be startlingly bleak sometimes; it can be hard to remember that survival alone was a lofty goal for many people for a long time (and still is today.) Everyone has to work hard, maintain appearances at all times, and never, ever, ever let any indiscretion become public knowledge, lest they be left to fend for themselves with the rest of society's "undesired elements." This book does a good job of illustrating the vast differences between life in this time period and life in today's world.
In addition to a hearty dose of historical realism, this book also illustrates how a few careless decisions or actions on one person's part can have longstanding repercussions for others. Eliza's actions are the best example of this: in her refusal to accept that Bates, another servant in the house, may just not be that into her, she goes out of her way to snoop and spy on Mary, convinced that Mary is the one who's stolen Bates' heart. Well, she has, but the funny thing is, Mary's heart belongs to someone else, a fact which would have been easy to discern if Eliza had asked instead of going godzilla. What happens next would definitely be a comedy of errors if the results hadn't been so tragic for Mary.
Folly is densely packed with details despite its relatively short length, and each of them is important to the story. While the ultimate resolution of the story is satisfactory and everyone gets what they want in the end, some folks have to wait a long time for their happily-ever-after. This book is definitely one that's off the beaten path, and if the premise sounds like something you'd enjoy I can definitely recommend picking it up.
Overall Grade: A-
Check out more reviews at What Book is That?
July 25, 2010
I took a break from my regular fantasy/sci-fi/paranormal and decided to read a bit of historical fiction. I am so glad I did! FOLLY tells the story of four people living in the 1800s who are all connected in some way. It's a brilliant fictional look into that era, and keeps it's basis in historical fact.
The characters are done wonderfully, and are very distinct. Not only are their voices easy to keep separate, their personalities are very apparent. Each one has had a different upbringing, and Jocelyn shows that through speech and mannerism - and all keeping wonderfully with the time period. Mary is the (more or less) main character. Each of the others is connected to her in some way. Mary is a country girl with little schooling, but much real-world knowledge. She is quick to pick up new tasks and is a genuine, gentle soul. We don't see much of the other girl character, Eliza. She's a maid in the house Mary arrives to work at and is immediately jealous of Mary. She's stern, proper and a bit flighty (and flirty). Our two male characters are James and Oliver. James is an orphan boy. He is incredibly curious and precocious. He loves to makes lists and is quite intelligent. Oliver is one of James' teachers. A quiet man with his heart in the right place and a soft spot for the foundling children. By the end of the story you feel connected and invested in these characters, and wish everything could just be better for them all.
I loved the plot set up of the story. Mary and Eliza's parts take place years before James and Oliver, and all come together in the end. Jocelyn has it set up so that you don't know how each characters relates to the others until almost the very end of the book. Of course, I had my guesses as I was reading, but I never quite knew for sure. It's with breathless anticipation that you wait to see if you're right or wrong in how Oliver and James connect to Mary and Eliza. There were times I was frustrated with everything, and times I was happy for everyone. There is never a lot of background given on the characters or the time period, but enough details are sprinkled throughout the novel that by the end you have a clear picture of who, where and when these people are and live. A few parts did feel a little bit rushed or glossed over; the years passed very fast with only important mile stones being touched on. This can be both a good and bad tactic, but over all, FOLLY is a solid read with twists, turns and coincidences enough to keep anyone happy and strong characters to lead the plot.
The characters are done wonderfully, and are very distinct. Not only are their voices easy to keep separate, their personalities are very apparent. Each one has had a different upbringing, and Jocelyn shows that through speech and mannerism - and all keeping wonderfully with the time period. Mary is the (more or less) main character. Each of the others is connected to her in some way. Mary is a country girl with little schooling, but much real-world knowledge. She is quick to pick up new tasks and is a genuine, gentle soul. We don't see much of the other girl character, Eliza. She's a maid in the house Mary arrives to work at and is immediately jealous of Mary. She's stern, proper and a bit flighty (and flirty). Our two male characters are James and Oliver. James is an orphan boy. He is incredibly curious and precocious. He loves to makes lists and is quite intelligent. Oliver is one of James' teachers. A quiet man with his heart in the right place and a soft spot for the foundling children. By the end of the story you feel connected and invested in these characters, and wish everything could just be better for them all.
I loved the plot set up of the story. Mary and Eliza's parts take place years before James and Oliver, and all come together in the end. Jocelyn has it set up so that you don't know how each characters relates to the others until almost the very end of the book. Of course, I had my guesses as I was reading, but I never quite knew for sure. It's with breathless anticipation that you wait to see if you're right or wrong in how Oliver and James connect to Mary and Eliza. There were times I was frustrated with everything, and times I was happy for everyone. There is never a lot of background given on the characters or the time period, but enough details are sprinkled throughout the novel that by the end you have a clear picture of who, where and when these people are and live. A few parts did feel a little bit rushed or glossed over; the years passed very fast with only important mile stones being touched on. This can be both a good and bad tactic, but over all, FOLLY is a solid read with twists, turns and coincidences enough to keep anyone happy and strong characters to lead the plot.
July 27, 2014
I've had Folly for years, waiting patiently on my bookshelf to be read. Finally it seemed like the right time to pick it up. While this historical fiction novel is not my favorite, I do think that it was very interesting and know lots of people would enjoy it. I'm actually surprised that it isn't more well-known; I don't know anyone who's had the chance to read this book!
Folly follows several different characters in Victorian London. Through all of their lives I gained a greater understanding of the setting. It was so interesting to get an idea of the foundlings and what they were, as the home James is in is based on an actual foundling hospital. There are so many terrible aspects of London in this time period, babies being abandoned to death and children forced to work in dangerous factories. Everyone is trying very hard to make a life worth living for themselves and nothing goes perfectly right for any character in this book.
What annoyed me a little were some of the other characters who narrated chapters. They seemed to make irrational decisions only because the book needed them to do such a thing so that the plot could make forward. I believe that the plot could have gone the same way, only without decimating certain characters' personalities. Unlike what the book tells you, there are more than three people affected by this story, and Caden never gets to narrate anything from his own point of view. I thought that the latter was a shame because it would have added another, interesting level to this narrative. I wanted to know what was happening with him when he wasn't with Mary and I feel like I would have had a better grasp of his character that way.
I did like how some of the characters, Mary and James especially, shone through in their bleak setting. Although I could predict the way that the story was going to go, at first I wasn't quite certain of how it would get there and I still got a little emotional when I was ready the end. The conclusion of the book left a little to be desired; everything was wrapped up a little too neatly, judging by how chaotic the rest of the book was.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a short, pretty good historical fiction book to read.
Folly follows several different characters in Victorian London. Through all of their lives I gained a greater understanding of the setting. It was so interesting to get an idea of the foundlings and what they were, as the home James is in is based on an actual foundling hospital. There are so many terrible aspects of London in this time period, babies being abandoned to death and children forced to work in dangerous factories. Everyone is trying very hard to make a life worth living for themselves and nothing goes perfectly right for any character in this book.
What annoyed me a little were some of the other characters who narrated chapters. They seemed to make irrational decisions only because the book needed them to do such a thing so that the plot could make forward. I believe that the plot could have gone the same way, only without decimating certain characters' personalities. Unlike what the book tells you, there are more than three people affected by this story, and Caden never gets to narrate anything from his own point of view. I thought that the latter was a shame because it would have added another, interesting level to this narrative. I wanted to know what was happening with him when he wasn't with Mary and I feel like I would have had a better grasp of his character that way.
I did like how some of the characters, Mary and James especially, shone through in their bleak setting. Although I could predict the way that the story was going to go, at first I wasn't quite certain of how it would get there and I still got a little emotional when I was ready the end. The conclusion of the book left a little to be desired; everything was wrapped up a little too neatly, judging by how chaotic the rest of the book was.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a short, pretty good historical fiction book to read.
January 16, 2013
Ahhh, here’s a book set in the 19th century. No Jack the Ripper wannabe ghosts in this here book.
When Mary’s mother dies, Mary assumes all the responsibilities of keeping their poor, rural household together and caring for her younger siblings. It is a hard life, but Mary loves her brothers and especially her baby sister. When her father remarries, her mean-spirited stepmother sends her away to work at her sister’s inn. While at the inn, Mary meets a young, upper class mother who has no idea what to do with her baby. They hire Mary for the journey to London and give her a place in their house as a scullery maid. Mary falls in love with a young boy from the regiment nearby and well, you can guess the rest.
Told from the perspective of four of the main characters and slipping in and out of past and present, Jocelyn uses this Dickensian story of a young woman at the mercy of her time to describe aspects of Victorian London (I love Victorian London- it is so delightfully contrapuntal). Descriptions of the upper crust Victorian houses, as well as the fear of the workhouse and an in-depth glimpse into the foundling hospital give this short novel a lot of flavour.
Jocelyn also brings the character of Mary alive by writing her character in first person, with a dialect I can only guess would be close to what the rural poor would be speaking at the time. Eliza, the bitter, jealous maid is less crafted, if not perhaps more interesting. Her story is full of Downton Abbey-esque machinations. Oliver, the former foundling turned history teacher is kind, if a little benign, and the little foundling James rambunctious.
Having said all that, I can’t help feeling that the novel fell a little short. The plot is typically Victorian – the tale of a fallen woman at the mercy of the rigid morality of the time. The happy ending is as predictable as it is unbelievable (yes- the two can coincide. Predicatble in its incredibleness.) The link between the characters is guessed at very soon in the book, making the reader wonder less what is going to happen and more how will it all come together.
Still, an enjoyable read and one I would not hesitate to recommend for the grade 7 historical fiction reading circle.
When Mary’s mother dies, Mary assumes all the responsibilities of keeping their poor, rural household together and caring for her younger siblings. It is a hard life, but Mary loves her brothers and especially her baby sister. When her father remarries, her mean-spirited stepmother sends her away to work at her sister’s inn. While at the inn, Mary meets a young, upper class mother who has no idea what to do with her baby. They hire Mary for the journey to London and give her a place in their house as a scullery maid. Mary falls in love with a young boy from the regiment nearby and well, you can guess the rest.
Told from the perspective of four of the main characters and slipping in and out of past and present, Jocelyn uses this Dickensian story of a young woman at the mercy of her time to describe aspects of Victorian London (I love Victorian London- it is so delightfully contrapuntal). Descriptions of the upper crust Victorian houses, as well as the fear of the workhouse and an in-depth glimpse into the foundling hospital give this short novel a lot of flavour.
Jocelyn also brings the character of Mary alive by writing her character in first person, with a dialect I can only guess would be close to what the rural poor would be speaking at the time. Eliza, the bitter, jealous maid is less crafted, if not perhaps more interesting. Her story is full of Downton Abbey-esque machinations. Oliver, the former foundling turned history teacher is kind, if a little benign, and the little foundling James rambunctious.
Having said all that, I can’t help feeling that the novel fell a little short. The plot is typically Victorian – the tale of a fallen woman at the mercy of the rigid morality of the time. The happy ending is as predictable as it is unbelievable (yes- the two can coincide. Predicatble in its incredibleness.) The link between the characters is guessed at very soon in the book, making the reader wonder less what is going to happen and more how will it all come together.
Still, an enjoyable read and one I would not hesitate to recommend for the grade 7 historical fiction reading circle.
October 1, 2015
This lady really knows how to tell a story. I love it when you just fall between the pages. This had just the right touch of familiarity, for someone who reads Victorian fiction, either the original or the modern historical. And this is very Dickens – we know he visited the setting of the Foundling Home in the story, according to one of the teachers. What I mean is, it doesn’t take place in the parlors, but belowstairs, where the falls from grace were shorter, but the landing was much, much harder.
The story goes back and forth between two time periods. The older, 1876, is the story of Mary Finn. Her mother has died and her father marries a new wife, who is a harridan. Mary ends up leaving him to start working and get out from under the evil witch’s influence. The blurb more than suggests this, so I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that she makes the mistake of losing her “virtue” and winds up in the family way – only with no husband. The man in question is not really a man- both of them are only 15. He is, as she says, “A liar, a cheat and her heart’s delight”. By trade, he’s a groom for the army. We follow her story in London, through happiness and sadness – the story woven between the other time period. Mary’s roommate in the house is Eliza, and a far less amenable girl. She’s a liar and a hussy, to use the 19th century word, who can only see things from her own point of view. Being a liar and a flirt, she can’t see Mary any other way, and thinks that she’s there to steal Bates, the chauffeur who is no prize, away from her.
The other setting is 1884 and we follow James from Coram’s Foundling Home. When given up to the home, babies are sent out to the country, to a woman who already has a baby and enough milk to feed a second. The babies stay there until they are six and then return to the home to start their education. It’s sad, it’s a tough place, but it’s a lot better than the other option – the workhouse. It’s interesting that the home was a real place, which adds to the realism of the story.
This is only 250 pages and a fast read, with short chapters. The ending was abrupt but satisfying. If you like historical fiction, and don’t mind the grittier side of what life was like in London in the 1800’s, this is a good one
The story goes back and forth between two time periods. The older, 1876, is the story of Mary Finn. Her mother has died and her father marries a new wife, who is a harridan. Mary ends up leaving him to start working and get out from under the evil witch’s influence. The blurb more than suggests this, so I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that she makes the mistake of losing her “virtue” and winds up in the family way – only with no husband. The man in question is not really a man- both of them are only 15. He is, as she says, “A liar, a cheat and her heart’s delight”. By trade, he’s a groom for the army. We follow her story in London, through happiness and sadness – the story woven between the other time period. Mary’s roommate in the house is Eliza, and a far less amenable girl. She’s a liar and a hussy, to use the 19th century word, who can only see things from her own point of view. Being a liar and a flirt, she can’t see Mary any other way, and thinks that she’s there to steal Bates, the chauffeur who is no prize, away from her.
The other setting is 1884 and we follow James from Coram’s Foundling Home. When given up to the home, babies are sent out to the country, to a woman who already has a baby and enough milk to feed a second. The babies stay there until they are six and then return to the home to start their education. It’s sad, it’s a tough place, but it’s a lot better than the other option – the workhouse. It’s interesting that the home was a real place, which adds to the realism of the story.
This is only 250 pages and a fast read, with short chapters. The ending was abrupt but satisfying. If you like historical fiction, and don’t mind the grittier side of what life was like in London in the 1800’s, this is a good one
April 15, 2012
Folly is an amazing book and the author mangaes to squeeze in countles emotions in to less then 300 pages.
Folly is written in two perspectives, one in 15-year old Mary's perspective and the other in a young child named James. Mary is sort of like your typical cinderella. Her mother dies and her stepmother decides to send her away from the family and become a maid in London. James on the other hand is a child that was abandoned by birth. Living through the foster care, his foster parents must send him back to the foster care centre when he turns six. The years that both these perspectives take place are about 8-10 years apart. Mary's narrations are from around 1876-1878 and James is from 1884.
Throughout the whole story, both characters fall in to a sort of trap. Mary conflicts with the other maid in the house, Eliza, and starts to fall in love with a man ultimately committing the greatest sin possible. James flees the foster centre and is left homeless on the streets. Both characters truly grab you and it's hard not to feel sympathetic or share the saddness that they are experiencing.
The ending of the story also has a sudden twist that is quite rewarding. In my opinion, it answered alot of questions that iIthought of and couldn't find an answer too.
The title of this book is also quite ingenious. Folly essentially means being foolish and throughout the book, the word folly tends to appear quite often. When I read this book, I really felt that the majority of the writing was focused on the character's emotions. Often there would be alot of descriptive paragraphs to aid in the understanding of a character's feelings.
The settings are nicely explained. And the character's actions are also described very in depth.
Personally, I found folly to be a very heartbreaking story but that really depends on how emotional you are.
I would definitely recommand this to those who enjoy reading emotional stories or just those that would like to understand how the people in the lower classes survived back in the late 1800's.
www.teabookslove.blogspot.ca
Folly is written in two perspectives, one in 15-year old Mary's perspective and the other in a young child named James. Mary is sort of like your typical cinderella. Her mother dies and her stepmother decides to send her away from the family and become a maid in London. James on the other hand is a child that was abandoned by birth. Living through the foster care, his foster parents must send him back to the foster care centre when he turns six. The years that both these perspectives take place are about 8-10 years apart. Mary's narrations are from around 1876-1878 and James is from 1884.
Throughout the whole story, both characters fall in to a sort of trap. Mary conflicts with the other maid in the house, Eliza, and starts to fall in love with a man ultimately committing the greatest sin possible. James flees the foster centre and is left homeless on the streets. Both characters truly grab you and it's hard not to feel sympathetic or share the saddness that they are experiencing.
The ending of the story also has a sudden twist that is quite rewarding. In my opinion, it answered alot of questions that iIthought of and couldn't find an answer too.
The title of this book is also quite ingenious. Folly essentially means being foolish and throughout the book, the word folly tends to appear quite often. When I read this book, I really felt that the majority of the writing was focused on the character's emotions. Often there would be alot of descriptive paragraphs to aid in the understanding of a character's feelings.
The settings are nicely explained. And the character's actions are also described very in depth.
Personally, I found folly to be a very heartbreaking story but that really depends on how emotional you are.
I would definitely recommand this to those who enjoy reading emotional stories or just those that would like to understand how the people in the lower classes survived back in the late 1800's.
www.teabookslove.blogspot.ca
June 26, 2010
Mary Finn is an honest and hardworking country who loves her family, particularly all her little siblings. She cares for them when her mother dies and would have until each grew up had it not been for her stepmother who insists Mary be sent away to work. Always the obedient girl, Mary goes to work. When she changes hobs to be a maid in London, the entire course of her life is changed because it’s in London that Mary meets Caden Tucker and meeting Caden Tucker is the start of her problems. Suddenly Mary becomes a foolish girl, always dreaming of the man she believes is her sweetheart. How was Mary to know she might be making the biggest mistake of her life?
Folly is an unusually told tale about the reverberating effects of the smallest actions. Set in the Victorian era, this novel certainly has historical appeal. And there is definitely something interesting about London in the late 1800s, even if Jocelyn does pick some of the Victorian period’s more negative characteristics to portray, such as all children born out of wedlock being held up as the epitome of sin. Folly is told from many alternating perspectives following two separate by connected main storylines. Since I was more interested in Mary’s story than James Nelligan’s, all the switching between narrators was distracting. Although the ending, when the nature of Mary and James’s connection is revealed, may be surprising for some readers, it was not for me. I figured out basically what was going to happen midway through the book merely by looking at the timeframes of Mary’s and James’s stories. Because of this, Folly wasn’t as enjoyable a read as it could’ve been, although I still appreciate the sweet ending.
Folly may be enjoyed by fans of Ivy by Julie Hearn, A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly, Ten Cents a Dance by Christine Fletcher, and What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
Folly is an unusually told tale about the reverberating effects of the smallest actions. Set in the Victorian era, this novel certainly has historical appeal. And there is definitely something interesting about London in the late 1800s, even if Jocelyn does pick some of the Victorian period’s more negative characteristics to portray, such as all children born out of wedlock being held up as the epitome of sin. Folly is told from many alternating perspectives following two separate by connected main storylines. Since I was more interested in Mary’s story than James Nelligan’s, all the switching between narrators was distracting. Although the ending, when the nature of Mary and James’s connection is revealed, may be surprising for some readers, it was not for me. I figured out basically what was going to happen midway through the book merely by looking at the timeframes of Mary’s and James’s stories. Because of this, Folly wasn’t as enjoyable a read as it could’ve been, although I still appreciate the sweet ending.
Folly may be enjoyed by fans of Ivy by Julie Hearn, A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly, Ten Cents a Dance by Christine Fletcher, and What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
June 4, 2010
Mary Finn is a girl from the country, sent away after her mother died and her father remarried. She gets a job as a maid in London, but soon some of her choices threaten her job and her virtue.
James Nelligan is an orphan who was taken in by a nice family until he was six. When he turned six he had to return to a home for foundlings. There he learns many things as he comes of age though the one thing he really wants to know(who his parents are) my soon be closer than he realizes.
This was a nice historical fiction novel told from four alternating viewpoints. I really enjoyed reading about Mary and James and how there lives were led. At times some of the characters acted or sounded a bit more modern than I thought they should, but the overall tone of the novel was quite 1800s. It was nice discovering the little mysteries and trying to find out how the four people may or may not be connected. Mary has to take care of her(very young) other siblings after her mother dies, so it was disheartening to see her driven from her home by(yet another) wicked stepmother. Also, I do wish more had happened with Oliver. He seemed very nice, but not a lot happens to anyone in this novel I suppose. Not to say that the characters aren't developed, they just could have been developed further. Mary and James seem to be much more developed than the other two narrators Oliver and Eliza. This was a nice read and if you enjoy historical fiction then you should try it out. It was a very brief read, but it was an enjoyable one nonetheless.
First Line:
"I began exceeding ignorant, apart from what a girl can learn through family mayhem, a dead mother, a grim stepmother and a sorrowful parting from home."
Favorite Line:
"I woke up blinding dizzy, with some quick and wily rodent darting about my belly."
(really I just love the word wily... wily wily wily ;)
James Nelligan is an orphan who was taken in by a nice family until he was six. When he turned six he had to return to a home for foundlings. There he learns many things as he comes of age though the one thing he really wants to know(who his parents are) my soon be closer than he realizes.
This was a nice historical fiction novel told from four alternating viewpoints. I really enjoyed reading about Mary and James and how there lives were led. At times some of the characters acted or sounded a bit more modern than I thought they should, but the overall tone of the novel was quite 1800s. It was nice discovering the little mysteries and trying to find out how the four people may or may not be connected. Mary has to take care of her(very young) other siblings after her mother dies, so it was disheartening to see her driven from her home by(yet another) wicked stepmother. Also, I do wish more had happened with Oliver. He seemed very nice, but not a lot happens to anyone in this novel I suppose. Not to say that the characters aren't developed, they just could have been developed further. Mary and James seem to be much more developed than the other two narrators Oliver and Eliza. This was a nice read and if you enjoy historical fiction then you should try it out. It was a very brief read, but it was an enjoyable one nonetheless.
First Line:
"I began exceeding ignorant, apart from what a girl can learn through family mayhem, a dead mother, a grim stepmother and a sorrowful parting from home."
Favorite Line:
"I woke up blinding dizzy, with some quick and wily rodent darting about my belly."
(really I just love the word wily... wily wily wily ;)
August 17, 2010
It took me a while to get into this story. It’s a bit slow paced, but I thought Mary was such a great character in this novel, that she prevented the story from becoming dry and boring. The descriptions of Victorian London was well written and well done, especially done through the eyes of James, who has never before been to London, and seeing things through a child’s eyes makes the descriptions clear and very easy to picture.
Eliza, as a character was such a mean spiteful harpy you almost wanted to tell Mary to punch her in the face for what she’s done to her. You really do sympathize with Mary, and as her situation does worsen later in the book you can’t help but feel more sorry for her. I admire her strength and determination throughout her ordeal though, and her persistence does pay off (in one way or another). Especially in an age where women don’t really have much rights, Mary does well on her own and it’s nice to see this despite her ordeals.
I’d have to say that once Caden arrived in the picture, it became a little predictable as to what was going to happen. Yet at the end, I was close to wondering what in the heck does James and Oliver have to do with Mary and Eliza, and then it clicked in during the last few chapters. It was then that I realized, this book wasn’t so bad after all. It’s not a really happy tale, but a more somber one. Yet the ending gives an inkling feeling of hope and although it’s hopeful, it’s also melancholy. That being said, this book may not be for everyone.
Overall, I rather liked it. One of the few novels I’ve read about Victorian London that doesn’t romanticize the period. It’s serious, yet accurate plot makes it a good one to read. It’s a short book, (less than 300 pages) so don’t hesitate to pick this one up. Be patient with the slow start. It’s really Mary point of view you’re reading for.
Eliza, as a character was such a mean spiteful harpy you almost wanted to tell Mary to punch her in the face for what she’s done to her. You really do sympathize with Mary, and as her situation does worsen later in the book you can’t help but feel more sorry for her. I admire her strength and determination throughout her ordeal though, and her persistence does pay off (in one way or another). Especially in an age where women don’t really have much rights, Mary does well on her own and it’s nice to see this despite her ordeals.
I’d have to say that once Caden arrived in the picture, it became a little predictable as to what was going to happen. Yet at the end, I was close to wondering what in the heck does James and Oliver have to do with Mary and Eliza, and then it clicked in during the last few chapters. It was then that I realized, this book wasn’t so bad after all. It’s not a really happy tale, but a more somber one. Yet the ending gives an inkling feeling of hope and although it’s hopeful, it’s also melancholy. That being said, this book may not be for everyone.
Overall, I rather liked it. One of the few novels I’ve read about Victorian London that doesn’t romanticize the period. It’s serious, yet accurate plot makes it a good one to read. It’s a short book, (less than 300 pages) so don’t hesitate to pick this one up. Be patient with the slow start. It’s really Mary point of view you’re reading for.
June 18, 2010
I knew very little about this book going into it. All I knew was that it was historical fiction. And... honestly, I'm not the biggest fan of historical fiction. I like my stories with a bit of the impossible mixed in.
I was not expecting the emotional reaction that I had to this book.
I got absolutely sucked into Mary's story. And for the four hours that I spent reading this book I shared in her happiness, vulnerability, and intense sadness. Marthe Jocelyn has created a masterpiece of historical fiction that I will not soon forget.
I was engrossed in every character's story. I was concerned at first since the book is told from four different perspectives. It definitely has the potential to get very confusing. Especially since I read very fast and sometimes skip over important parts, thus losing details. But, I was able to follow each story and keep all the characters separated.
And little James. Oh how I wanted to reach through the pages of this book and cuddle that poor boy. Marthe captured beautifully the emotions and sadness of a six year-old boy. I had never heard of the "foundlings" before, even though I did take a European history class. I felt such an intense sadness for these children who never knew their mothers and were taken away from their foster parents at such an early age. It was really eye-opening to see how unwed mothers were treated. In many cases, they were left with very few options.
The end of this book left me in tears. I cried for every single character in this story, even the ones I hated. Even the characters that I hated were so beautifully crafted that I felt like they deserved a chance at happiness as well.
Thank you so much Marthe Jocelyn for sharing this story. I can't wait to read more of your work.
I was not expecting the emotional reaction that I had to this book.
I got absolutely sucked into Mary's story. And for the four hours that I spent reading this book I shared in her happiness, vulnerability, and intense sadness. Marthe Jocelyn has created a masterpiece of historical fiction that I will not soon forget.
I was engrossed in every character's story. I was concerned at first since the book is told from four different perspectives. It definitely has the potential to get very confusing. Especially since I read very fast and sometimes skip over important parts, thus losing details. But, I was able to follow each story and keep all the characters separated.
And little James. Oh how I wanted to reach through the pages of this book and cuddle that poor boy. Marthe captured beautifully the emotions and sadness of a six year-old boy. I had never heard of the "foundlings" before, even though I did take a European history class. I felt such an intense sadness for these children who never knew their mothers and were taken away from their foster parents at such an early age. It was really eye-opening to see how unwed mothers were treated. In many cases, they were left with very few options.
The end of this book left me in tears. I cried for every single character in this story, even the ones I hated. Even the characters that I hated were so beautifully crafted that I felt like they deserved a chance at happiness as well.
Thank you so much Marthe Jocelyn for sharing this story. I can't wait to read more of your work.
November 13, 2012
Reviewed by Cat for TeensReadToo.com
Mary Finn is only fourteen years old when she's forced out of her home in rural Lincolnshire at the behest of her new stepmother to act as a servant for the woman's sister at her roadside inn. Sixty-seven days later, Mary flees to London as nanny to Lucilla Allyn's infant son, only to discover the position is unavailable upon arrival.
Despite her lack of domestic skills, Mary is able to secure employment as maid in the Allyn household and soon becomes ensconced in her new life. It's not long before she meets the dashing, young Caden Tucker - a British soldier who steals Mary's heart and leaves her in far more dire straights than she ever could have imagined.
Inter cut with Mary's narrative is the story of six-year-old James Nelligan, to whom we're introduced on the day he must leave his foster home and return to the Foundling Hospital. Life as a foundling is brutal, and it will take all of James's resources just to survive, but thanks to his mischievous nature and innate cleverness, he manages to garner a few allies along the way.
I'm reluctant to admit this, but I cried several times while reading FOLLY. Whether it was a scene depicting the grinding misery of Mary's early childhood, the gut-wrenching ache of families ripped apart, or the deplorable conditions and inherent coldness of the Foundling Hospital, Marthe Jocelyn draws an unflinching eye to the harsh realities faced by so many during the Victorian Era.
That's not to say the book is without moments of joy; in fact, the closing sentiment is one of hope, which makes the book, in its entirety, all the more powerful.
Mary Finn is only fourteen years old when she's forced out of her home in rural Lincolnshire at the behest of her new stepmother to act as a servant for the woman's sister at her roadside inn. Sixty-seven days later, Mary flees to London as nanny to Lucilla Allyn's infant son, only to discover the position is unavailable upon arrival.
Despite her lack of domestic skills, Mary is able to secure employment as maid in the Allyn household and soon becomes ensconced in her new life. It's not long before she meets the dashing, young Caden Tucker - a British soldier who steals Mary's heart and leaves her in far more dire straights than she ever could have imagined.
Inter cut with Mary's narrative is the story of six-year-old James Nelligan, to whom we're introduced on the day he must leave his foster home and return to the Foundling Hospital. Life as a foundling is brutal, and it will take all of James's resources just to survive, but thanks to his mischievous nature and innate cleverness, he manages to garner a few allies along the way.
I'm reluctant to admit this, but I cried several times while reading FOLLY. Whether it was a scene depicting the grinding misery of Mary's early childhood, the gut-wrenching ache of families ripped apart, or the deplorable conditions and inherent coldness of the Foundling Hospital, Marthe Jocelyn draws an unflinching eye to the harsh realities faced by so many during the Victorian Era.
That's not to say the book is without moments of joy; in fact, the closing sentiment is one of hope, which makes the book, in its entirety, all the more powerful.
July 22, 2010
I love historical fiction. I have to admit that I'm not a fan of every era, but if a book is set in one of my favorite eras as Folly is, I'll give it a good look. When I first heard of Folly, I filed it away on my to-be-read list, and when it arrived in the mail I devoured it within a day, which is pretty quick for me!
I have to admit that this story is not an uplifting one, but I'm okay with that. There are snippets of hope admist the dismal days that Mary, James, Eliza and Oliver spend their life in . Mary's life takes a turn when her father marries her wicked stepmother. She is sent off to work away from her family and ends up working in a manor home where she encounters Eliza, who I have to admit, seems a little crazy to me. She is so jealous of Mary and believes that she is out to get Bates, the man she has set her eye on, that she can't see reason. Mary couldn't care less about Bates and soon her heart belongs to Caden.
The intertwining story in Folly is James' (and by association, Oliver's)-set a few years apart from Mary's. We meet James right as he is moving from his foster parents' home into a foundling hospital. James is a lovable little guy, many times throughout the course of the book I wished I could have scooped him up and cared for him.
It's not hard to see how Mary and James' story intertwine, but that doesn't make the story any less engaging. Marthe Jocelyn is an incredibly talented wordsmith and I fully enjoyed Folly. I give it 4/5 stars and I think that it has appeal outside the realm of historical fiction fans.
I have to admit that this story is not an uplifting one, but I'm okay with that. There are snippets of hope admist the dismal days that Mary, James, Eliza and Oliver spend their life in . Mary's life takes a turn when her father marries her wicked stepmother. She is sent off to work away from her family and ends up working in a manor home where she encounters Eliza, who I have to admit, seems a little crazy to me. She is so jealous of Mary and believes that she is out to get Bates, the man she has set her eye on, that she can't see reason. Mary couldn't care less about Bates and soon her heart belongs to Caden.
The intertwining story in Folly is James' (and by association, Oliver's)-set a few years apart from Mary's. We meet James right as he is moving from his foster parents' home into a foundling hospital. James is a lovable little guy, many times throughout the course of the book I wished I could have scooped him up and cared for him.
It's not hard to see how Mary and James' story intertwine, but that doesn't make the story any less engaging. Marthe Jocelyn is an incredibly talented wordsmith and I fully enjoyed Folly. I give it 4/5 stars and I think that it has appeal outside the realm of historical fiction fans.
September 8, 2010
This historical fiction novel set in Victorian England is short and sweet but misses the boat when it comes to developed characters. The chapters alternate between four different narrators with the most time being spent on the two central characters. Mary Finn a fourteen year old girl who moves to the city to become a nanny for a wealthy family and James Nelligan a young orphan boy who is adjusting to his new life in a boy’s home. Mary finds herself in trouble when she falls in love with a solider named Caden Tucker and gets pregnant. James is beat up by other boys at the home and tries to find solace in his friendship with one of the teachers. These two separate plotlines take place in two different time periods (1876 and 1884) and by the end of the book come together in a predictable, yet entertaining way. Although Mary and James are complex characters written to draw the reader in, the other subplot characters are flat and the reader is left wanting to know more about their back story. For example, the reader gets no information about Caden Tucker and it would have been nice to know more about this young man who breaks Mary’s heart. What we do get from Mary and James stories makes up for the missing characters. These two teens deal with difficult situations that are often heart wrenching but the author handles each moment with grace and care. Not the best read of the year, but a good choice for young readers who like romantic historical fiction.
August 3, 2011
Told in an authentic voice, Folly is an eye-opening look at not only the ramifications of our choices, but also 19th Century English society. Jocelyn immediately captured my attention with her eye for detail. The setting, the language, the personality were all fantastic. It was like I was given a glimpse into the heart of this society.
Folly is a novel that, for some, may be a bit difficult to get into. As I said previously, Jocelyn uses fairly authentic language. Using the language in this way, both helps and hinders the novel. It helps by making the reader feel transported into the novel. The characters are more realistic. The setting is easier to relate to. On the flip side, it does take a little getting use to. In the beginning of the novel, I absolutely had the hardest time reading Folly. And my 21st Century brain rallied against reading sentences that begin with, "I were" or "That were." However, as I got deeper into the novel, I began notice that these sentence structures became less and less obvious, and I was able to completely immerse myself into the beauty of Folly.
Folly, quite simply, took my breath away. I am in awe of Jocelyn's writing ability. And the fact that I became so emotionally attached to this novel. Folly is a beautifully written novel that will stay with you long after you read it.
Folly is a novel that, for some, may be a bit difficult to get into. As I said previously, Jocelyn uses fairly authentic language. Using the language in this way, both helps and hinders the novel. It helps by making the reader feel transported into the novel. The characters are more realistic. The setting is easier to relate to. On the flip side, it does take a little getting use to. In the beginning of the novel, I absolutely had the hardest time reading Folly. And my 21st Century brain rallied against reading sentences that begin with, "I were" or "That were." However, as I got deeper into the novel, I began notice that these sentence structures became less and less obvious, and I was able to completely immerse myself into the beauty of Folly.
Folly, quite simply, took my breath away. I am in awe of Jocelyn's writing ability. And the fact that I became so emotionally attached to this novel. Folly is a beautifully written novel that will stay with you long after you read it.
December 29, 2016
I ended up finishing Folly only because it had gigantic print and was a quick read but that is literally the only reason. There wasn't a single interesting character, the plot was extremely convoluted and horrendously boring and it kept switching narratives between two different characters who were pretty much unrelated. The synopsis of the book was completely irrelevant to the actual story. I think the cover art is gorgeous but I can't even for one minute figure out how that relates to the story either. Basically Folly was a gigantic mess of a short little book and I'm glad that it's over and done with. Skip this one everybody. There isn't a single redeeming factor here aside from the pretty (unrelated) front cover.
June 22, 2010
Alternates between the difficult life of country girl turned city maid, Mary Finn, and young James Nelligan, an orphan boy living in the Foundling Hospital in London. Beautifully written, with snapping dialogue and terrific descriptions of late 19th century Victorian life. For those who enjoy Dickens' stories but are put off by his wordiness. One sexual encounter, thinly veiled.
August 18, 2010
A fast paced historical read told from four different points-of-view. The story is full of heartbreak and has a melancholy tone, yet there's an undercurrent of hope to be found. Took sometime to get into the story but the writing was good. I did want to know more about the main characters' motivations and liked Mary the best.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews