Miss Martha Mary Crawford

In the style of a George Eliot or one of the Bronte sisters, Cookson has shaped a forlorn setting in which an admirable young woman of spirit and mettle grows to have a deeper understanding of the corruption pervasive in Victorian society and to develop the strength to speak and act on her own convictions. While the last few pages are a bit too contrived, as are those of most Victorian writers, the characterizations, largely brought out in dialogue at a good, steady pace, are well worth the read, especially for a young woman between 15 and 20, who will find the work uplifting.