The Hired Girl

Starred review from July 13, 2015
Desperate for the education her father denies her on their Pennsylvania farm, 14-year-old Joan runs away to Baltimore in 1911, where a well-to-do Jewish family hires her to help their obstinate, aging housekeeper. Schlitz (Splendors & Glooms) has crafted another exquisite literary gem, one told entirely via Joan’s vivid, humorous, and emotionally resonant diary entries over a year and a half. Through Joan’s naïve perspective, Schlitz frankly discusses class, religion, women’s education, art, literature, and romance. Joan has trouble reconciling her devout Catholic faith with Judaism, mixing up kashrut and even attempting to convert her employers. Yet because Joan is a hard worker, the Rosenbachs are forgiving and good to her, even encouraging her to read from their library. Joan is reminiscent of heroines like Anne Shirley, Jo March, Cassandra Mortmain, and her own favorite character, Jane Eyre (Joan even gives herself a fittingly literary alias, Janet Lovelace). Her overactive imagination, passions, and impulsive disregard for propriety often get Joan into trouble, but these same qualities will endear her to readers everywhere. Ages 12–up. Agent: Stephen Barbara, Inkwell Management.

Rachel Botchan's unadorned expression aptly represents the youthful journaling of Joan, a 14-year-old girl in 1911 whose life on her family's farm consists of rough, monotonous caring for three unappreciative brothers and a father who has made her leave school. Botchan's expressions of the father's harsh, crass comments contrast with Joan's passion for learning and reading, and her desire to become more "refined." Botchan's guileless tone takes on new meaning when Joan runs away, pretends to be 18, and becomes a hired girl in the Rosenbachs' wealthy, intellectual Jewish home. Her portrayal of Joan's na•veté, artless attempts at cover-up, and desire to please effectively contrasts with her depictions of the cultured Rosenbachs. Joan's romanticism, overactive imagination, and impulsivity are amusing and endearing. S.W. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine