Published by Bloomsbury
Mary Hooper’s latest historical tale is a riveting read that will delight and horrify the young reader, astonished that a series of bad luck can lead to such a desperate chain of events.
The pastoral theme of the first few chapters outlining the eponymous Kitty Grey’s life downstairs is an idyll reminiscent of Downton Abbey. While the line between master and servant is clearly drawn, Lord Baysmith runs a benign house, where servants are treated kindly and with respect.
All changes however when Kitty is asked to go to London to collect a new book written ‘by a lady’ – Pride and Prejudice. On arrival in Charing Cross, Kitty’s travelling bag is stolen leaving her virtually penniless, with Betsy, the young sister of her beau, boatman Will, who has disappeared, as she believes, to work the Thames.
Virtually penniless, Kitty scrapes enough money for the rent on a filthy room run by a cruel landlord. She takes a job but when the child becomes ill, Kitty misses a day’s work. A fire in her room sends her face to face with the law and the merciless system of law.
The link to bring in Jane Austen seems tenuous but the reader cannot help but have that lady’s novel in their minds as Kitty’s experience is the polar opposite of Georgian life portrayed in the classic works.
Kitty is an innocent abroad, and so is today’s reader, who will not fail to be horrified by the lack of social care they see all around them today. Hooper is a popular author and fans will love this new tale.
The Disgrace of Kitty Grey is published on May 9th priced £6.99.