The Family Greene
The year is 1764, and young Caty Littlefield has just arrived at the home of her aunt Catharine, ready to be schooled as lady. What Caty actually learns, however, is the fine art of flirting to get what she wants, as she soon discovers the power her aunt wields over men such as Benjamin Franklin simply by using her womanly charms. It’s a lesson well learned, and Caty finds herself using those same flirtatious tricks when she catches the eye of Nathanael Greene. As a young wife to the second in command under George Washington, Caty discovers quickly that she enjoys the attention of the men around her, but she gives little care to appearances and gossip about her actions.
Ann Rinaldi’s take on the story of Caty Littlefield Greene shifts perspectives midway through to focus on Cornelia Greene, Caty’s daughter, who idolizes her father and is wary of her spirited mother. Having caught her mother in a few compromising situations, her loyalty is tested with the suggestion that Cornelia may not be the actual daughter of Nathanael. When her father’s health deteriorates, Cornelia must decide if her paternity is important enough to risk her mother’s reputation for her own peace of mind.
Rinaldi is one of my favorite young adult historical authors, and this spin on the family of Nathanael Greene is so exceptionally well written. While I enjoyed reading about Caty’s life, the story really came alive when the viewpoint shifted to Cornelia. Cornelia’s angst and her determination to understand her mother’s actions makes her actions entirely understandable. Rinaldi admits to playing with the known facts to pad her tale, but it’s not inconceivable that events may have taken place as she writes. Well done and certainly entertaining for all ages.
