Little Girl Lost
In 1842 Margriet is a lonely girl growing up in Hull under the claustrophobic watch of her mother. Her loving father commutes across the German Ocean (the North Sea) for business, and to visit his lovely mother in his Dutch homeland. Meanwhile, until he returns, Margriet uses her intelligence and imagination to break her boredom and discovers a little Dutch girl. The two enjoy each other’s company. When tragedy strikes her young life, Margriet has to mature quickly and learn how to face a very changed future.
This is a coming-of-age novel, which delightfully twists and turns, as Margriet blossoms into a kind-hearted, sensible young woman. Her eyes are not blinkered to the suffering of the children around her neighbourhood. She is inspiring as a protagonist as she battles through her own emotional turmoil. The change in her home and her mother’s circumstances, as well as the surprising repercussions of her mother’s decisions – or perhaps lack of them – mean that Margriet has to use her clever mind and her compassion to inspire a future for them both. This heart-warming tale subtly deals with the issues facing women before they had any right to control their own lives. They were brought up to be dependent on men and to serve as good wives and mothers. It also illustrates the folly of living your life purely to meet someone else’s, or society’s, expectations. The novel captures the essence of the town within the era and weaves through this the influences of two cultures separated by a tumultuous sea. I enjoyed reading Little Girl Lost and would heartily recommend it.
