My Lady Nobody: A Novel

"My Lady Nobody: A Novel" by Maarten Maartens is a story set in the late 1800s that follows Ursula Rovers, a cleric's daughter, as she finds her way in a world of intricate relationships and social expectations. Her life becomes intertwined with two brothers, Otto and Gerard van Helmont, and their influential family, showcasing the push and pull between love, how she sees herself, and what society expects from her. Beginning with Ursula in her peaceful garden, picking peas on a warm morning, the book quickly shows her thoughtful nature and hints at her life's challenges. As she talks with her father and meets Gerard, it's clear that Ursula will have to deal with both the romantic interests and pressures of her world, battling with her own identity as she does.