The Triumph of Virginia Dale

"The Triumph of Virginia Dale" by John Francis, Jr. is a story about a young woman named Virginia Dale, the daughter of a rich mill owner, who lives a protected life in South Ridgefield but dreams of more. Virginia feels disconnected and longs for adventure. On her eighteenth birthday, she receives a book that once belonged to her mother, which makes her want to learn about the life her mother lived and to find meaning in her own life. As she comes of age, Virginia speaks to her mother's friend Hennie, as well as her family's servant Serena. She ultimately takes a car ride that leads to an accident with a motorcyclist, pushing her into situations that test what she thinks about happiness and what is important in life as she explores her identity, learns about responsibility, and understands what it means to be kind to others when things are difficult.