This book is heartbreakingly good.
Sunday Small wasn't even a day old when she was dumped at the workhouse, and for nearly 14 years she's endured unspeakable cruelty and hardship from the house mistress Miss Frost.
She's sent to work for the house master Mr Pinnegar, who likes his girls young. About Sunday's age. When all seems lost she's then given a job outside the workhouse with Mrs Spooner under the careful guidance of the abrupt but ultimately kind Annie.
Upon leaving the workhouse, Sunday swears she will come back for her dear friend Daisy and her brother Tommy no matter what.
But Mr Pinnegar's obsession with Sunday will not abate, he is determined to make her his even though she has left and is not above taking drastic measures for this to happen.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It really depicts the hardship that so many had to go through in the 1800's, both men and women, but ultimately the women.
Sunday's life isn't necessarily easier when she leaves the workhouse. But she's shown kindness and what would have broken so many others makes her strong, and she still has a big heart.
The world Goodwin describes is rich, I got lost in it. I could hear the hooves of the horses on the carts and picture the clothes of the era, and the harsh cold of the winters.
This is the first book I've read by Goodwin, and if this is anything to go by, it most definitely will be the first of many.
An absolute treasure of a story, it will tug at your heartstrings and melt it by the end. Just wonderful.
I would like to thank Readers First and Bonnier Zaffre for a copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review.
Sunday Small wasn't even a day old when she was dumped at the workhouse, and for nearly 14 years she's endured unspeakable cruelty and hardship from the house mistress Miss Frost.
She's sent to work for the house master Mr Pinnegar, who likes his girls young. About Sunday's age. When all seems lost she's then given a job outside the workhouse with Mrs Spooner under the careful guidance of the abrupt but ultimately kind Annie.
Upon leaving the workhouse, Sunday swears she will come back for her dear friend Daisy and her brother Tommy no matter what.
But Mr Pinnegar's obsession with Sunday will not abate, he is determined to make her his even though she has left and is not above taking drastic measures for this to happen.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It really depicts the hardship that so many had to go through in the 1800's, both men and women, but ultimately the women.
Sunday's life isn't necessarily easier when she leaves the workhouse. But she's shown kindness and what would have broken so many others makes her strong, and she still has a big heart.
The world Goodwin describes is rich, I got lost in it. I could hear the hooves of the horses on the carts and picture the clothes of the era, and the harsh cold of the winters.
This is the first book I've read by Goodwin, and if this is anything to go by, it most definitely will be the first of many.
An absolute treasure of a story, it will tug at your heartstrings and melt it by the end. Just wonderful.
I would like to thank Readers First and Bonnier Zaffre for a copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review.