Customer Reviews

The Mallen Girl (Paragon Softcover Large Print Books)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the second in a trilogy, the first being The Mallen Streak. In the Mallen Streak we met the Mallens and their immediate family and servants. Only a select few made it into this novel due to death and tragedy. Once again, Anna Brigmore is a governess, this time over the late Barbara's daughter, also named Barbara. Constance, the young Barbara's aunt is across the hill running a farm. Also in attendance, is the maid, Mary, tho she has a much smaller part in this novel.

The story focuses on young Barbara and her love for her cousin, Michael, Constance's son. Barbara is deaf and amid the puppy love, teenage angst, and angry bouts of passion, readers get a look into the frustrations that a young deaf woman in the late 1800s has to deal with. Partly due to her disability, and partly due to an entire family trying to stand in the way of her being with the man she loves, Barbara becomes a manipulative and angry woman. She does something bad. Will she meet with a tragic ending like her mother did before her?

In the Mallen Streak, there was definet lines drawn between master and servant. In Mallen Girl, readers will witness those lines being erased as new ideas about rich and poor and laborors rights are introduced, much to Anna's dismay.

My only complaint is the "monologues" of the Bensham parents. They go on and on with their speeches too much. They, did, however, bring some interesting new additions to the story, by way of Daniel, John, and Katie.

Three stars because I would have liked more Barbara, less of the older Benshams. Also, at this point, I am tired of Anna and her uppitiness.

I didn't like this book at first. Barbara was such a spoiled brat that it really made me sick. However, I stayed with it and at the end it really turned into a nice book. Grant it not great but good.