In The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, by Avi, Charlotte Doyle recounts her voyage across the Atlantic Ocean from England to America. The book takes place in the year of 1832, aboard the Seahawk, a rather small ship that has seen better days. Charlotte, thirteen years old, is the very picture of a proper young lady, her gloves perfectly white and her dresses always neatly pressed. Charlotte leaves her boarding school and is forced to travel “alone” aboard the Seahawk to America. Her Family had already left for America, and it was decided that Charlotte should make the journey later, during the summer. Although it may not seem so, Charlotte’s parents’ plan was rational and well thought out. Charlotte would sail for America during summer, so she would not miss any school. The ship she was to sail on, the Seahawk, was owned by the same shipping company her father worked for, so she would be safe and get a discount. Also, the ship was manned by Captain Jaggery, a well respected man who was known for “quick and profitable crossings” across the Atlantic. Finally, she would not be in lack of social companions, because two well respected families were to travel aboard the ship with her. Unfortunately, these two families could not make it to the ship on time due to mysterious circumstances. Charlotte is horrified at the thought of traveling without social companions on a ship full of men. Despite her complaints that her parents wouldn’t approve, she is left on the ship by Mr. Grummage, her escort, without a backward glance. Stuck on the ship with no one to monitor her behavior, she must make a decision. Will she continue to act like the proper young woman she was brought up to be? Or will she break free of the chains of propriety and find her true identity?
I really enjoyed The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, and I highly recommend reading it! The messages about identity, friendship, and betrayal are extremely powerful and heartwarming. This book is perfect for fans of historical fiction and books about treacherous seafaring adventures! I give The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle a 10/10.
Clara
Hi Clara! This review is very thorough and concise, and it definitely brings to light the main idea of this book- it seems very interesting and expressive, and I'm assuming it's historical fiction. Great job on the review, and you've definitely made it sound like Charlotte finds out a lot about herself, and some stuff she may not have known about the people close to her - and most importantly, thank you for the great Paleta Payaso stamp!!!
ReplyDeleteI think you did a good job summarizing the book in an interesting way. How does the setting affect the story? Are there any historical events or figures that are mentioned or influence the story? Also, assuming she finds her true identity, how does Charlotte deal with having to act the way she is expected to when she reaches America?
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting book, I'll check it out. By the way, is the whole book taking place on the ship, or is some of it in America as well?
ReplyDeleteThis is such an interesting book! I find it really interesting how you said the other families didn't make it on "due to mysterious circumstances". I also find it intriguing how you said Charlotte would find her own identity. Was she shielded from other ways of living and forced to be as proper as she is?
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