Nobody's Girl (En Famille)

"Nobody's Girl" by Hector Malot is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows a young girl named Perrine, who travels to Paris with her ailing mother while facing severe hardships. The narrative explores themes of resilience, loyalty, and the struggles of a child navigating a daunting world alone after the loss of her mother. The opening of the book introduces us to Perrine and her donkey, Palikare, as they arrive in Paris amidst a bustling scene. Perrine's mother is gravely ill, and their meager possessions consist of a simple wagon and a camera, hinting at their former life. As Perrine interacts with other characters, including a friendly clown, she shows her determination to care for her mother and find a way to survive in the city. In this introduction, we see the seeds of Perrine’s bravery and resourcefulness and sense the challenges ahead as the pair struggle to find safety and support. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Hector-Henri Malot was a French writer born in La Bouille, Seine-Maritime. He studied law in Rouen and Paris, but eventually literature became his passion. He worked as a dramatic critic for Lloyd Francais and as a literary critic for L'Opinion Nationale.