A Little in Love - Hardcover

Fletcher, Susan E.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0545829607 ISBN 13: 9780545829601

Publisher: Chicken House, 2015

Synopsis

Inspired by Victor Hugo's classic, Les Miserables, A Little in Love beautifully conveys the heartbreaking story of street girl Eponine.

Paris, 1832A girl lies alone in the darkness, clutching a letter to her heart. Eponine remembers being a child: her swing and the peach tree, and the baby brother she loved. But mostly she remembers being miserable. Taught to lie and cheat, and to hate the one girl, Cosette, who might have been her friend. Now, at sixteen, the two girls meet again, and Eponine has one more chance. But what is the price of friendship--the love of a boy?

About this title

About the Author

Susan Fletcher is the author of several books for adults, including Eve Green, which won a Whitbread First Novel Award in the United Kingdom. A Little in Love is her first book for young adults. Susan lives in England. You can follow her on Twitter at @sfletcherauthor.

Reviews

Gr 7 Up—While staying true to Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, Fletcher crafts another masterpiece based upon the classic. With great care, she fleshes out minor characters until they live and breathe. This is Eponine's story—her tale of strength, inner character, and self-sacrifice. Raised by vile pickpocket parents in rural 19th-century France, she is forced to lie, steal, and cheat, despite her prickling conscience. When beautiful young Cosette comes to live with Eponine's heartless family, Eponine's kindness is buried by her desire to be loved by her mother, who values only cruelty. When Cosette leaves with Jean Valjean, the protagonist's life fills with longing for something more. After her family's furtive escape to Paris, the teen finds beauty and love upon meeting Marius Pontmercy. Her pure, unselfish feelings are destined to be unrequited, for he loves the beautiful Cosette. Eponine, through fate or destiny, is the bridge between Marius and Cosette. Her selflessness leads to a tragic end as she sacrifices all to ensure the two lovers' happiness. The heroine's inner strength is powerful—she resists becoming cruel and bitter, showing how circumstances can influence behavior but not define one's character. The lyrical writing completely immerses readers in 19th-century French life. Characters, mainly villains or the darkly inclined, are vivid and memorable. VERDICT The entire tale will be long remembered, and is a must-read for all Les Mis fans.—Lisa Crandall, formerly at the Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

From A Little in Love:Love. It's almost the smallest word I know. If it was an object I might drop it or forget it because it's so tiny. But it's not a small feeling, even though it grows from a moment as small as an apple seed.

Edition details

• Publisher: Chicken House
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0545829607
• ISBN 13: 9780545829601
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 288