Patty's Perversities

"Patty's Perversities" by Arlo Bates is a story set in the late 1800s that follows a vibrant young woman named Patty Sanford as she deals with growing up, love, and her family within her small town. The book looks at Patty's connections with those who want to date her, the funny quirks of her relatives, and the rules society sets for her as a young woman. Early in the story, Patty wakes up excited about a picnic, wondering which of her admirers will ask her. We see her fun-loving personality through her thoughts and actions involving friends and family, like her mother and cousin Flossy, along with the competition between the young men who are trying to win her over. The first part of the book shows us Patty's energetic character and the problems she'll encounter as her relationships get more serious, showing how charming and determined she is to follow her own path despite what society expects.