A Noble Name; or, Dönninghausen

"A Noble Name; or, Dönninghausen" by Claire von Glümer is a story from the late 1800s about Johanna, the daughter of a well-known actor, trying to find her way after her father passes away. The book looks at important ideas like love, feeling let down, and figuring out who you are as Johanna deals with her stepmother, her younger sister Lisbeth, and her grandfather who she doesn't really know. She also is trying to make her dreams of being a performer come true. The story kicks off with Johanna and her family in a fancy house where you can feel the stress in the air. Her relationship with her stepmother, who doesn't really care about Johanna wanting to be an artist, and how famous her father is as an actor, show how complicated her family is. Johanna really wants to be accepted and understood, especially when her cousin Ludwig shows up and gives her a different view of life and the stage. As things move forward, the book focuses on Johanna trying to figure out who she is and where she fits in, as she fights to be recognized and loved in a world that often feels strange and unfriendly.