Linnet and the Periwinkle Flyer
Linnet Hill is an orphan living at St. Mary’s convent in 1872. Some of the nuns, like Martha, are compassionate and tolerant of Linnet’s enquiring mind and passion for invention. Others, like Sister Augustina, are sadistic and cruel. After several years, Linnet is released to work for Mrs. Periwinkle and her generous-hearted son, Oliver. Mrs. Periwinkle is a strict but kind mother who harbours two big secrets.
Mrs. Periwinkle’s first big secret is that she is an inventor. She has been working on a flying machine unbeknownst to anyone, including Oliver. Why did Mrs. Periwinkle want Linnet to come to live and work with them and can Linnet help get the machine to fly?
Linnet and all the characters in Littleson’s work are believable and three-dimensional. The historical context is well realized, and Littleson also covers the smallpox epidemic in Leeds and Bradford in 1872. Smallpox is very little written about in middle grade literature and the discussion of it was interesting. Littleson recreated the fear the population would have felt of this disease. Smallpox victims were ostracised and this is also discussed.
Mrs. Periwinkle’s second big secret is that she too was an orphan, and this brings her closer to Linnet in a heartwarming way. Littleson has woven a very detailed, historical world which will also be enjoyed by lovers of science and maths. Her novel is well worth reading.
