Olive: A Novel

"Olive: A Novel" by Dinah Maria Mulock Craik is a story set in the 1800s that pulls you into the life of Olive Rothesay, a girl whose birth is clouded by old beliefs and strong opinions about what's beautiful. From the very start, we see Olive's mom, Sybilla, struggling with tough feelings, while Elspie, the nurse, becomes Olive's fierce protector. A strange prediction hangs over Olive's future, and as she enters the world, her appearance causes a stir, highlighting the big difference between her mother's beauty and what others see as Olive's flaws. The doctor's serious words to Elspie about Olive's condition spark a deep love in the nurse's heart for the baby. This is just the beginning of a story about a mother's love, what society thinks is important, and finding true beauty when the outside world is so focused on looks.