The Well in the Desert An Old Legend of the House of Arundel

"The Well in the Desert" by Emily Sarah Holt is a historical fiction book set in the 1400's that follows Philippa Fitzalan, a young woman from the House of Arundel, as she deals with being ignored by her family and tries to figure out who she is, all while searching for love in a world filled with selfishness and dishonesty. The story combines faith and the search for real meaning with historical events and what society expects. Early on, Philippa feels unimportant in her own home compared to her stepsisters. The story begins with a touching scene where she remembers the woman who cared for her as a child, showing how much Philippa wants to connect with others and understand where she comes from, quickly starting Philippa's search for her mother and for her place in the world. As Philippa deals with her difficult family life, the contrast between her need for love and the difficult things that happen to her sets the stage for how she will grow and change throughout the book.