the ghost of crutchfield hall by mary downing hahn

In one example, Florence befriends a young servant girl named Nellie and is repeatedly told that while Florence is entitled to her leisure time, Nellie must always be working. The reader will be exposed to class issues from the period. The landscapes of the city and the country are well-described. The story does an excellent job of invoking historical place. Florence is active, clever and ready to dive into new adventures. Florence's believable weaknesses may feel familiar to readers, as will her strengths and desire to do well. The novel features characters doing hurtful things to one another, but also illustrates forgiveness, growth and love. At times, she gives into peer pressure (in this case-of a ghostly variety) and says or does things that she regrets.

She is a character that readers will relate to, even in her flaws. She is thoughtful and intelligent, loves reading and longs for family and stability. Her first experience in the quiet English countryside turns into a terrible ordeal when she meets the malevolent ghost of a lost cousin.įlorence is a great character. Florence, the story's heroine, is a young orphan girl from London who moves to Crutchfield Hall to live with relatives she's never known.

A short novel with a compelling plot, it keeps the reader wondering until the last page. The drafty, creaky and poorly lit Crutchfield Hall makes an excellent setting for this fast-paced Victorian ghost story from Mary Downing Hahn.

The ghost of crutchfield hall by mary downing hahn