Hannah

I'm so glad I read this book at this point because I needed the hope and the perspective that the look back in history lent. There are so many inspirational people who took on small, common, but persistent daily steps to bring about the progress we see today. It's not about having your face in the headlines or yelling on a stage. As Virginia Randolph said, its's about looking around and asking yourself, "what is the next needed thing?" This book will stay in my mind and my heart for a long long time.

This story follows a woman who has been isolated in a tower her entire life, convinced by her uncle and aunt (who are stealing her money) that she is ugly and too sick to go outside. The male protagonist is a brutish army general of illegitimate birth whose younger brother was engaged to the women but decided to call off the marriage. When the protagonist goes to break off the engagement, the woman then proposes to him instead. I found this book absolutely crazy and neither romantic nor heartwarming, but also surprisingly addictive.