The Flight of Gemma Hardy has been described as a modern retelling of Jane Eyre and is getting a lot of attention. Truth be told, I barely remember the plot of Jane Eyre but that didn't stop me from enjoying Gemma Hardy's flight. I believe and hope that it can stand on it's own as a wonderful new classic. It would make a great book club selection as well.
Orphaned at a young age, Gemma Hardy must leave her home in Iceland to live with her uncle in Scotland. Her aunt and 3 cousins are less than welcoming and make her new life unbearable. She believes that all she needs to escape this hell is to get accepted to a private boarding school. Her aunt is more than willing to make this come true and sends 9 year old Gemma on a working scholarship to Claypoole. As a "working girl" she didn't realize her life could get even worse and is treated poorly by the faculty and paying students, including her fellow working girls. Years later the school goes bankrupt and closes right before Gemma can properly finish her education and take her exams. She is forced to seek a job with room and board and becomes an au pair for a young girl at Blackbird Hall in The Orkneys. Blackbird Hall is owned by Mr. Sinclair, Gemma's student's wealthy uncle, who comes and goes when it suits him. Their age difference is substantial but doesn't stop them from making a familiar connection. Gemma's desire to know more about her parents' history and about where she came from causes her to make some drastic decisions.
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