"An Almond For A Parrot"

"An Almond For A Parrot" is a first historical fiction as well as first adult novel for Wray Delaney -- the pen name for Sally Gardner, an award-winning children's novelist.

The novel features Tully Truegood, a woman accused of murder in the 18th century.  It describes the hardships of her life from a young age and the fact that her father married her off at age 12 to a man she did not meet.  After her father's death she is sheltered and taken in by Queenie who runs a house of prostitution.

Tully becomes a sought after courtesan who wins the favor of several men in turn and the story illustrates the disparity and unfairness of the male and female roles in 18th century England.  A woman is nothing without a husband but, if she cannot be married or under the protection of a male relative, she has little choice but to resort to prostitution to provide for herself.

This is a well written love story in the form of historical fiction but also falls in the realm of fantasy literature.  It is not what I'd normally select to read but it was on a display shelf at my local library and called my name and I'm glad I read it.  pazt