White Lilac; or the Queen of the May

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Walton, Amy, 1848-1899

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"White Lilac; or the Queen of the May" by Amy Walton is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Lilac White, a girl raised by her widowed mother, who is trying to give her daughter a good life amidst the struggles that come with their circumstances. As Lilac grows, themes of social standing, childhood beauty, and self-acceptance emerge, particularly in her interactions with her fashionable cousin Agnetta Greenways. At the start of the story, readers are introduced to the life of Mrs. White, who is determined to bring up her daughter while grappling with the loss of her husband shortly after Lilac's birth. As the narrative unfolds, we learn of a significant event: the May Day competition in which Lilac is named Queen but faces the immediate tragedy of her mother's illness and death. This sets the stage for her upbringing alone in a rural village marked by social comparisons and the struggle to find her place among peers, including the superficial expectations set by her cousins. The opening chapters establish a vivid pastoral England and a poignant coming-of-age tale that raises questions about identity and societal values. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England

Notes:

Reading ease score: 86.2 (6th grade). Easy to read.

Release date is 2007-04-27