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The Cottingley Secret

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'The Cottingley Secret' by Hazel Gaynor is a novel that weaves together the past and present, exploring the story behind the Cottingley fairy photographs taken by two young cousins in 1917. The book follows the lives of Frances and Elsie, the girls behind the fairy pictures, and Olivia, a modern-day protagonist who discovers a connection to the past through her late grandfather's bookstore. Through magical realism and historical fiction elements, the author brings to life the enchanting tale of the Cottingley fairies and the impact of belief in the extraordinary.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Frances and Elsie showcasing innocence and imagination, while Olivia reflects adult complexities and a search for purpose.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is lyrical and immersive, blending enchanting descriptions with emotional depth, though some find it occasionally overly descriptive.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative explores the true story of two girls who captured images of fairies, intertwining their experiences with a modern woman's journey of self-discovery and connection to her family's past.

Setting:

The story shifts between the historical backdrop of wartime England and modern-day Ireland, enriching the narrative with diverse contexts.

Pacing:

The pacing begins slowly but picks up as the intertwining stories develop, engaging readers with unfolding revelations.
Olivia Kavanagh didn’t believe in happy endings. Life hadn’t worked out that way for her so far. At thirty-five, she had almost stopped believing it ever would. Almost, but not entirely, because there...

Notes:

The Cottingley Secret was published in 2017 by William Morrow Paperbacks.
The story is based on real events from 1917 involving two girls, Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths, who claimed to have photographed fairies in Cottingley, England.
The photographs attracted significant public attention, including the famous author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who believed in their authenticity.
The narrative alternates between the historical account of Elsie and Frances and a contemporary storyline featuring Olivia Kavanagh, who inherits her grandfather's bookstore.
The novel explores themes of hope and magic during the bleak times of World War I.
Throughout the book, Olivia discovers a manuscript written by Frances that reveals the truth about the fairy photographs.
The combination of imaginative storytelling and historical context creates a whimsical atmosphere that captivates readers.
Gaynor's writing highlights the emotional journeys of the characters, encouraging readers to believe in magic and find their true selves.
The book is filled with vivid descriptions that bring the settings, like the beck in the garden and the quaint bookstore, to life.
The story serves as a reminder of the power of belief and how it can inspire hope in difficult times.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance present in Olivia's storyline, emphasizing personal growth rather than romantic conflicts.

From The Publisher:

"The Cottingley Secret tells the tale of two girls who somehow convince the world that magic exists. An artful weaving of old legends with new realities, this tale invites the reader to wonder: could it be true?" - Kate Alcott, New York Times bestselling author of The Dressmaker

One of BookBub's Most-Anticipated Books of Summer 2017!

The New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Came Home turns the clock back one hundred years to a time when two young girls from Cottingley, Yorkshire, convinced the world that they had done the impossible and photographed fairies in their garden. Now, in her newest novel, international bestseller Hazel Gaynor reimagines their story.

1917… It was inexplicable, impossible, but it had to be true-didn't it? When two young cousins, Frances Griffiths and Elsie Wright from Cottingley, England, claim to have photographed fairies at the bottom of the garden, their parents are astonished. But when one of the great novelists of the time, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, becomes convinced of the photographs' authenticity, the girls become a national sensation, their discovery offering hope to those longing for something to believe in amid a world ravaged by war. Frances and Elsie will hide their secret for many decades. But Frances longs for the truth to be told.

One hundred years later… When Olivia Kavanagh finds an old manuscript in her late grandfather's bookshop she becomes fascinated by the story it tells of two young girls who mystified the world. But it is the discovery of an old photograph that leads her to realize how the fairy girls' lives intertwine with hers, connecting past to present, and blurring her understanding of what is real and what is imagined. As she begins to understand why a nation once believed in fairies, can Olivia find a way to believe in herself?

 
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