A Pleasant Story That Young Adults Would Enjoy

Annie’s Stories by Cindy Thomson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Annie's Stories was a Goodreads giveaway. While the story of a widow lady's home, in which she has provided shelter for immigrant girls at the turn of the 20th century in Lower Manhattan, was interesting I found it unduly long and therefore, at times boring. The writing is suited to a middle school grade level but at times is a little heavy on the religious theme.

Despite these drawbacks there is much about the living conditions of young women alone in the city that rings true. Annie is an orphan from Ireland living in the home of Mrs Hawkins, whose brother, a Catholic priest, had arranged the situation. Interestingly, the church the women of the house attend is not Catholic. Annie's father, an Irish storyteller, has left her little in worldly goods, but she does possess several of his stories, which he'd written down for her when he became ill. These bolster her spirits when she is depressed.

The Postman is a young American, who is also without family. He has debts which he is finding difficult to pay. Annie's stories become important to him as well. There is another young lady residing in the house, Kristen, a German girl working at the shirtwaist factory. She and her brother become the subjects of a Pinkerton investigation, which adds mystery to the story. Grace, yet another girl from Ireland, is a nanny to a doctor and his wife and is about to marry a young policeman. The household is rounded out with Aileen, Annie's cousin, for whom she feels no affection but who turns out the be a treasured addition in the end.

All in all, a pleasant story but not one that tempts me to continue with the series.

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