A Little in Love is based on a very familiar story, which many will know from the stage and screen adaptations of Les Miserables. Although I'm sure there are many out there who have tackled Victor Hugo's massive and epic novel, I must admit I have never attempted it. My fifteen year old daughter is currently reading it,so perhaps one day I will. Susan Fletcher's retelling through the eyes of Eponine is much more approachable. It offers YA readers a great introduction to a literary classic as well as a fascinating glimpse into a tumultuous period in French history. Eponine is a wonderful character; she is the daughter of two selfish and thoughtless thieves and she is taught to steal almost from birth yet she transforms herself into a heroine. Her story is tragic and there is no happy ending, the author addresses the heroine's tragic death in the first page but nonetheless we want to read on,to hear her tell her story in her own voice. As a study in character development this book is outstanding but it is also and more importantly for readers a great story. By turns tragic, shocking and heartwarming this is Susan Fletcher's first YA novel and I will be interested to see what she does next.
A Little in Love is published by Chicken House and available in paperback now ( Thank you to the publisher for a copy to review)
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