White Lilac; or the Queen of the May By: Amy Walton (1848-1899)
In "White Lilac; or the Queen of the May" by Amy Walton, readers are transported to a charming English village during the Victorian era. This delightful tale follows the adventures of young protagonist, Harry Merryl, as he encounters a variety of trials and triumphs that shape his character. The main storyline centers around the upcoming May Day celebrations, an event with deep significance in the village. As Harry immerses himself in the world of festivity preparations, he becomes captivated by the beauty and grace of a mysterious young girl, Lilac. With her enchanting presence and kind heart, she captures Harry's attention and stirs emotions of love and intrigue within him. Through skillful storytelling, Amy Walton weaves together themes of love, friendship, and overcoming adversity. As the narrative unfolds, the reader is treated to a vivid portrayal of England's countryside, complete with picturesque descriptions of the landscape and the intricate details surrounding the May Day festivities. These elements lend an authentic and immersive atmosphere to the story, enriching the reading experience. Walton's characters are well-crafted and relatable, each possessing unique qualities that bring them to life on the page. Harry, in particular, evolves throughout the novel, undergoing personal growth and development that endears him to readers. Lilac, on the other hand, remains somewhat enigmatic, adding an air of mystery and drawing readers into her world. The plot moves at a steady pace, although some stretches may seem slow, as the author takes time to establish the intricacies of village life and the various relationships between characters. However, this attention to detail ultimately enhances the narrative, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the setting and empathize with the challenges faced by Harry and his companions. One of the book's notable strengths is its ability to capture the essence of Victorian society, revealing the customs and traditions that were integral to daily life during that time period. From conversations between characters to societal expectations, Walton successfully transports readers to a bygone era, providing an insightful glimpse into history. "White Lilac; or the Queen of the May" is a heartwarming and evocative story that will resonate with readers of all ages. Its gentle storytelling, lively characters, and richly depicted setting make it a captivating read, perfect for those seeking an escape to a simpler time. Amy Walton's masterful storytelling ensures that the conclusion leaves readers with a sense of satisfaction and a warm, nostalgic feeling. First Page: White Lilac, by Amy Walton Mrs White had had several children before the birth of this one, but they had all died. This makes her quite determined to make sure that this one survives. She was telling a visitor that she thought of calling the baby Annie, in honour of the visitor, but she had just been saying how much she loved white lilacs, and her husband had brought a branch of it over from a nearby village. So the visitor said, call her Lilac White, as there were already too many Annie Whites in the village. Unfortunately the father dies shortly after, and the mother has to bring the child up on her own. Now she is twelve, and a pretty child. A visiting artist asks if he may put her in one of his pictures. Lilac goes off with her cousin Agnetta, who believes she needs a new hair do. Needless to say, the result is not attractive to the artist, who now refuses to put her in the picture. Other characters in the story are Uncle Joshua, who is a good and well loved man, and Peter, probably in his late teens, who is a farm worker, well intentioned but clumsy. A big event in the village is May Day, and there is rivalry among the girls about which of them shall be Queen of the May. It is Lilac. Yet that very day her mother is taken ill and dies... Continue reading book >>

White Lilac; or the Queen of the May By: Amy Walton (1848-1899)

In "White Lilac; or the Queen of the May" by Amy Walton, readers are transported to a charming English village during the Victorian era. This delightful tale follows the adventures of young protagonist, Harry Merryl, as he encounters a variety of trials and triumphs that shape his character.

The main storyline centers around the upcoming May Day celebrations, an event with deep significance in the village. As Harry immerses himself in the world of festivity preparations, he becomes captivated by the beauty and grace of a mysterious young girl, Lilac. With her enchanting presence and kind heart, she captures Harry's attention and stirs emotions of love and intrigue within him.

Through skillful storytelling, Amy Walton weaves together themes of love, friendship, and overcoming adversity. As the narrative unfolds, the reader is treated to a vivid portrayal of England's countryside, complete with picturesque descriptions of the landscape and the intricate details surrounding the May Day festivities. These elements lend an authentic and immersive atmosphere to the story, enriching the reading experience.

Walton's characters are well-crafted and relatable, each possessing unique qualities that bring them to life on the page. Harry, in particular, evolves throughout the novel, undergoing personal growth and development that endears him to readers. Lilac, on the other hand, remains somewhat enigmatic, adding an air of mystery and drawing readers into her world.

The plot moves at a steady pace, although some stretches may seem slow, as the author takes time to establish the intricacies of village life and the various relationships between characters. However, this attention to detail ultimately enhances the narrative, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the setting and empathize with the challenges faced by Harry and his companions.

One of the book's notable strengths is its ability to capture the essence of Victorian society, revealing the customs and traditions that were integral to daily life during that time period. From conversations between characters to societal expectations, Walton successfully transports readers to a bygone era, providing an insightful glimpse into history.

"White Lilac; or the Queen of the May" is a heartwarming and evocative story that will resonate with readers of all ages. Its gentle storytelling, lively characters, and richly depicted setting make it a captivating read, perfect for those seeking an escape to a simpler time. Amy Walton's masterful storytelling ensures that the conclusion leaves readers with a sense of satisfaction and a warm, nostalgic feeling.

First Page:

White Lilac, by Amy Walton Mrs White had had several children before the birth of this one, but they had all died. This makes her quite determined to make sure that this one survives. She was telling a visitor that she thought of calling the baby Annie, in honour of the visitor, but she had just been saying how much she loved white lilacs, and her husband had brought a branch of it over from a nearby village. So the visitor said, call her Lilac White, as there were already too many Annie Whites in the village. Unfortunately the father dies shortly after, and the mother has to bring the child up on her own.

Now she is twelve, and a pretty child. A visiting artist asks if he may put her in one of his pictures. Lilac goes off with her cousin Agnetta, who believes she needs a new hair do. Needless to say, the result is not attractive to the artist, who now refuses to put her in the picture.

Other characters in the story are Uncle Joshua, who is a good and well loved man, and Peter, probably in his late teens, who is a farm worker, well intentioned but clumsy. A big event in the village is May Day, and there is rivalry among the girls about which of them shall be Queen of the May. It is Lilac. Yet that very day her mother is taken ill and dies... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Kids
Fiction
Teen/Young adult

eBook links
Wikipedia – Amy Walton
Wikipedia – White Lilac; or the Queen of the May

eBook Downloads
ePUB eBook • iBooks for iPhone and iPad • Nook • Sony Reader	Kindle eBook • Mobi file format for Kindle
Read eBook • Load eBook in browser	Text File eBook • Computers • Windows • Mac