The Spectacle Man: A Story of the Missing Bridge

"The Spectacle Man: A Story of the Missing Bridge" by Mary Finley Leonard is an early 20th-century novel that centers on a young girl named Frances, whose life takes an unexpected turn when she meets a quirky optician called the Spectacle Man. As Frances gets to know the Spectacle Man, she becomes woven into the lives of her family and the new people she meets. The story touches on ideas around friendship and adventure and hints at the idea of mending broken connections, both in a practical and heartfelt way. We first meet Frances as she steps into the Spectacle Man's shop to fix some glasses, and as they talk, Frances grows to admire the cheery optician - the detailed setting and oncoming rain create suspense and suggest all the relationships and adventures still to come.