The Flight of Gemma Hardy : A Novel

When her widower father drowns at sea, Gemma Hardy is taken from her native Iceland to Scotland to live with her kind uncle and his family. But the death of her doting guardian leaves Gemma under the care of her resentful aunt, and it soon becomes clear that she is nothing more than an unwelcome guest at Yew House. When she receives a scholarship to a private school, ten-year-old Gemma believes she's found the perfect solution and eagerly sets out again to a new home. However, at Claypoole she finds herself treated as an unpaid servant. To Gemma's delight, the school goes bankrupt, and she takes a job as an au pair on the Orkney Islands. The remote Blackbird Hall belongs to Mr. Sinclair, a London businessman; his eight-year-old niece is Gemma's charge. Even before their first meeting, Gemma is, like everyone on the island, intrigued by Mr. Sinclair. Rich (by Gemma's standards), single, flying in from London when he pleases, Hugh Sinclair fills the house with life. An unlikely couple, the two are drawn to each other, but Gemma's biggest trial is about to begin: a journey of passion and betrayal, redemption and discovery, that will lead her to a life of which she's never dreamed. Set in Scotland and Iceland in the 1950s and '60s, The Flight of Gemma Hardy --a captivating homage to Charlotte Bront's Jane Eyre --is a sweeping saga that resurrects the timeless themes of the original but is destined to become a classic all its own. The word gifted has never been applied to a kid like Donovan Curtis. It's usually more like Don't try this at home. So when the troublemaker pulls a major prank at his middle school, he thinks he's finally gone too far. But thanks to a mix-up by one of the administrators, instead of getting in trouble, Donovan is sent to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction (ASD), a special program for gifted and talented students. It wasn't exactly what Donovan had intended, but there couldn't be a more perfect hideout for someone like him. That is, if he can manage to fool people whose IQs are above genius level. And that becomes harder and harder as the students and teachers of ASD grow to realize that Donovan may not be good at math or science (or just about anything). But after an ongoing experiment with a live human (sister), an unforgettably dramatic middle-school dance, and the most astonishing come-from-behind robot victory ever, Donovan shows that his gifts might be exactly what the ASD students never knew they needed. (Book Cover) New York Times Bestseller "An exceptionally well-plotted, well-crafted, innovatively interpreted modern twist on a timeless classic, one that's sure to delight the multitudes of Brontë fans, and the multitudes of fans that Livesey deserves." —The Boston Globe "A suspenseful, curl-up-by-the-fire romance with a willfully determined protagonist who's worthy of her literary role model." — People The resonant story of a young woman's struggle to take charge of her own future, The Flight of Gemma Hardy is a modern take on a classic story—Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre—that will fascinate readers of the Gothic original and fans of modern literary fiction alike, with its lyrical prose, robust characters, and abundant compassion. Set in early 1960s Scotland, this breakout novel from award-winning author Margot Livesey is a tale of determination and spirit that, like The Three Weissmanns of Westport and A Thousand Acres, spins an unforgettable new story from threads of our shared, still-living literary past. The Resonant Story Of A Young Woman’s Struggle To Take Charge Of Her Own Future, The Flight Of Gemma Hardy Is A Modern Take On A Classic Story—charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre—that Will Fascinate Readers Of The Gothic Original And Fans Of Modern Literary Fiction Alike, With Its Lyrical Prose, Robust Characters, And Abundant Compassion. Set In Early 1960s Scotland, This Breakout Novel From Award-winning Author Margot Livesey Is A Tale Of Determination And Spirit That, Like The Three Weissmanns Of Westport And A Thousand Acres, Spins An Unforgettable New Story From Threads Of Our Shared, Still-living Literary Past. “gemma Is Real—it’s As Simple As That. And Through Her Eyes We See Step By Step What It Means . . . To Take Possession Of One’s Own Life.” —david Wroblewski, Author Of The Story Of Edgar Sawtelle When her widower father drowns at sea, ten-year-old Gemma Hardy, an only child, is taken from her native Iceland to Scotland, to live with her uncle's family. But the death of her doting guardian soon after leaves Gemma under the resentful eye of her aunt, and Gemma, her aunt quickly makes clear, is an unwelcome guest. When she receives a scholarship to a private school, Gemma believes she's found the perfect solution, and she eagerly sets out again to a new home; but at Claypoole she finds herself treated as an unpaid servant. To Gemma's delight, the school finally goes bankrupt in 1959 and she takes a job as an au pair to the niece of a rich, single bachelor on the Orkney Islands Overcoming a life of hardship and loneliness, Gemma Hardy, a brilliant and determined young woman, accepts a position as an au pair on the remote Orkney Islands where she faces her biggest challenge yet.