Matilda’s Secret (The Inheritance)
Having lost both her parents, 17-year-old Matilda is all alone in the world. Then she gets a shocking surprise when a countess, Agneta Lejongård, shows up at her school in Stockholm. Not only is the countess there to see Matilda, but she has been named her guardian. Matilda finds herself whisked away to the Lion Hall estate and a whole new life, although she already had a future planned with her boyfriend, Paul. As Matilda settles in, she begins to learn more about her own mother, who had actually lived at Lion Hall. She also befriends Agneta’s son Ingmar, although his twin brother Magnus wants nothing to do with her. Will Matilda get to realize her dream of going to business school and opening a business with Paul? Or will her new life change everything? This is book two of The Inheritance series, a saga that spans from 1931 to 1945.
The first part of this book reads like a fairy tale. A city girl of humble means finds herself living on the estate of a count and countess, and becomes part of a world where she has a lady’s maid and learns to ride a horse; but family secrets eventually come to light. The way Matilda handles painful truths and her choices afterwards make for a compelling read. As World War II begins, we hear news of the war through Matilda. Although Sweden remains neutral, the Nazis still greatly influence politics and business, and this directly affects Matilda and Lion Hall. Resentment, honesty, and forgiveness are major themes in this book, and are handled well. The characters are well-developed and realistic, especially Matilda and Agneta. This is a compelling saga of a young girl, her coming of age, and a family riddled with secrets and mistakes. Highly recommended.
