Lily's Dream - A Lissadell Story by Judi Curtin
Synopsis
The further adventures of Lily: life as a maid in Lissadell House is always interesting, but with her friendship with Maeve under strain, a war in Europe starting and uncertainly about her future, she needs all her wits about her!
This latest installment in the popular series also sees Lily finally on her way to realising her dream of becoming a teacher. Nellie's older sister, Johanna, starts walking out with Harry the footman, and is extremely worried when he enlists and goes off to fight in World War I. He send letters to the girls from the front and tells them all about the Christmas Day truce in 1914 ... but then a telegram comes. Harry is missing, presumed dead. Will he return to Lissadell, safe and sound?
Meanwhile, when Isabelle, the children's nurse, becomes unwell Lady Mary asks Lily to work with the Michael and Hugh Gore Booth in the afternoons until they are ready to go away to boarding school. On a visit home, Lily meets the Master, who tells her that Miss O'Brien is courting a young man - and if she marries, there will be an opening for a Junior Assistant Mistress in the school. He assures her that her current level of education will be enough, and that once she is old enough, he'd be happy to appoint her.
Reviews
'Given the Irish fascination with the opulence of the likes of Downton Abbey, Judi Curtin also strikes a careful balance in showing readers both sides of the social-class divide in early 20th Century Ireland ...' Evening Echo
'Set in Lissadell House in Sligo in 1914, this historical novel is narrated by a young housemaid, Lily, as she navigates her working life and rather tumultuous friendship with Maeve de Markievicz, daughter of the famous Countess. Curtin is the queen of friendship tales for young readers and the history in the Lissadell series gives her charming books extra depth.' Irish Independent
'A delightful book for fans of historical fiction, who can continue to follow the adventures of Lily, a young maid in the Big House. By blending fact and fiction, the author wonderfully evokes a time and place that makes the reader feel part of the world at Lissadell House and the historical events unfolding at the time, primarily the First World War and its effects on Ireland.' CBI
About the Author
Judi Curtin is the best-selling author of the ‘Alice and Megan’ series, the 'Eva' series and the 'Time After Time' series, about Beth and Molly, accidental time-travelling best friends. Judi won the Children's Book of the Year (Senior) at the Irish Book Awards in 2017 for Stand By Me. Her current series, about Lily, is set in the famous Lissadell House in Co Sligo.