The full title of this book is “A Drowned Maiden’s Hair: A Melodrama” and that sure is a fitting title! The book is dramatic through-and-through, and thoroughly engaging. One of the longer books I’ve read by a Newbery Award-winning author, it’s well-written and oh-so-intriguing that no one will notice it takes a bit longer to get through. “A Drowned Maiden’s Hair” is written by Laura Amy Schlitz who wrote Newbery Award-winning book, “Good Masters, Sweet Ladies.” Although “A Drowned Maiden’s Hair” didn’t win a Newbery it’s never-the-less worthy of your time!
The book is set near the turn of the century on the East Coast, likely in New England, though it never exactly says where. It centers on Maud who is ten and has been living in an orphanage for much of her life. She’s adopted by an elderly woman, Hyacinth, who takes Maud home to meet her spinster sisters, but the adoption comes with a hitch ~ Maud must remain a secret to everyone else and she must learn the family business.
We come to find out that this business is one of faked sorcery, whereby the sisters lead people to believe they can communicate with their dead loved ones – something many of their customers pay handsomely for. Maud is intended to learn the ins-and-outs of the business, adding believability to various meetings with various clients, but she’s really been brought on board to be a part of the ultimate con for the sisters. As she finds out what it is, Maud struggles with wanting to gain the love and respect of her benefactors and with telling the truth.
I enjoyed this book because it’s a unique plot and although the idea of an unloved orphan has been done again and again, this is an interesting trajectory for a story. Set back so many generations ago, it’s also somewhat believable while still being surreal and fantastical.
It’s a great blend of drama, mystery, love and sadness and draws you in, making you empathize with Maud and the predicament she finds herself in, which would be trying for anyone, let alone a young girl who’s searching for acceptance and a family.
