The Waif of the "Cynthia"

"The Waif of the 'Cynthia'" by Jules Verne and André Laurie is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story explores themes of identity and belonging through the life of Erik Hersebom, a boy raised by a fisherman and his wife after being found abandoned on the sea. Central to the narrative is Erik's journey of self-discovery as he learns about his mysterious origins and the possibilities of his future. At the start of the book, the reader is introduced to Mr. Malarius, a schoolmaster, and the renowned Dr. Schwaryencrona. The scene unfolds in a primary school in Norway where Dr. Schwaryencrona unexpectedly visits, leading to an impressive evaluation of Erik, who impresses the doctor with his advanced knowledge despite being a fisherman's son. The premise reveals Erik's adoption and hints at a potential hidden lineage, which is further developed as Erik's family discusses the opportunity for him to continue his education under Dr. Schwaryencrona’s guidance. The opening sets the stage for Erik's internal struggle between loyalty to his adopted family and the allure of discovering his true roots. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Jules Gabriel Verne was a French novelist, poet, and playwright. His collaboration with the publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel led to the creation of the Voyages extraordinaires, a series of bestselling adventure novels including Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864), Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (1870), and Around the World in Eighty Days (1872). His novels, always well-researched according to the scientific knowledge then available, are generally set in the second half of the 19th century, taking into account the technological advances of the time.