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A review by aaareading
Nellie's Promise by Valerie Tripp
2.0
Nellie and her sisters are finally in a loving home, after being taken in by her friend Samantha’s wealthy aunt and uncle. But an encounter with Nellie’s uncle threatens to shatter their new way of life...
I have two major problems with this book. First of all, it’s just such a reach to imagine this story happening in any semblance of a tea turn of the century historical setting. Apparently during her short stint as a factory working child, Nellie was able to become an accomplished seamstress, fix-it-all, fluent in multiple languages, and learn the ins and outs of car repair? All of this happened when she was under 10 and working 12 hours a day? Seriously, I couldn’t help it when I found myself stopping to roll my eyes as Nellie she offered to repair Gard’s car. Beyond that we also have to suspend belief at minor details like the fact that everyone hates the rude maid (why are there so many rude maids in the Samantha series), but for some reason Gard doesn’t think to hire a more pleasant one in a city teeming with people looking for work? Again, huge suspense in belief that Gard and Cornelia would entertain even the thought of sheltering three random orphans. I could be willing to go along with that does of unrealistic idealism if it weren’t for all the other outrageously unbelievable scenarios. Secondly, did we really need to play into the “drunk Irishman” stereotype for the story’s villain?
I have two major problems with this book. First of all, it’s just such a reach to imagine this story happening in any semblance of a tea turn of the century historical setting. Apparently during her short stint as a factory working child, Nellie was able to become an accomplished seamstress, fix-it-all, fluent in multiple languages, and learn the ins and outs of car repair? All of this happened when she was under 10 and working 12 hours a day? Seriously, I couldn’t help it when I found myself stopping to roll my eyes as Nellie she offered to repair Gard’s car. Beyond that we also have to suspend belief at minor details like the fact that everyone hates the rude maid (why are there so many rude maids in the Samantha series), but for some reason Gard doesn’t think to hire a more pleasant one in a city teeming with people looking for work? Again, huge suspense in belief that Gard and Cornelia would entertain even the thought of sheltering three random orphans. I could be willing to go along with that does of unrealistic idealism if it weren’t for all the other outrageously unbelievable scenarios. Secondly, did we really need to play into the “drunk Irishman” stereotype for the story’s villain?