The museum of Mary Child
Cassandra Golds
Genre: Love
Older readers
The three main characters of the book are all prisoners – a young main waits in a dank prison; a young woman has locked herself in a self imposed prison of hatred and denial; and Heloise who is a prisoner in all but name .
Heloise lives with her beautiful godmother and the morbid old housekeeper Mrs Moth in an isolated cottage. Next door is a museum of which her godmother is caretaker . Although she has been banned from entering this museum which is dedicated to Mary Child, she cannot help noticing that visitors who have entered happily, depart subdued and fearful.
Denied love and friendship, Heloise yearns for a doll. She eventually finds one under the floorboards in her room, and against her godmothers wishes secretly plays with the doll which she has called Maria and learns to love her. When her godmother discovers her secret she flees with Maria and - guided by the talking Caged Birds of the City she runs away.
A gothic fairy tale, the novel explores hatred, hope and the need for love. Disturbing yet fascinating, the story ends with an entirely unexpected twist.
Mrs GS
Add comment September 2nd, 2009
