Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters

Cornelia S. Engleheart’s mother, Lucy, is a world famous pianist. Lucy is always gone to foreign countries for weeks, leaving Cornelia at home with their housekeeper. Cornelia is quiet and turns to her one comfort often; books. Then one day a new neighbor moves into the next-door apartment. Her name is Virginia Somerset, and she has a servant named Patel, and a French bulldog.

One time Patel invites Cornelia to come in. That is when she meets the elegant Virginia, and discovers that every room in Virginia’s apartment is decorated like a different countries. There is a Moroccan living room filled with paintings and fountains, an old English library, a French drawing room; all places Virginia has been.

Soon whenever Lucy is gone at a concert, Cornelia goes over to Virginia’s house, where she tells the most audacious stories of her and her sisters. Alexandra and Beatrice the twins, and Gladys who was a little plump, but a fierce one. Times when Gladys accidentally became the bride in a Moroccan wedding, or when they crash landed a plane in Cornwall, and when Gladys almost got kicked out of the United Kingdom!

Cornelia is swept up by these stories, and returns to hear more and more. Then, Virginia is not able to tell any stories, or sip mint tea in one of her decorative rooms. This happens each time Cornelia comes over, until she learns that Virginia is sick and might die. Cornelia’s world comes crashing down. Virginia had opened Cornelia’s eyes to see the outside of her shell. Cornelia comes to hear a story, when she realizes how much Virginia and her tales mean to her. And more importantly how Virginia helped her to become closer to her mother.

I love the exciting stories that Virginia tells in this book. The stories of the Somerset Sisters were clever, humorous, and whimsical; by the end of the book you feel as if you knew these characters personally. Lesley M. M. Blume is a creative writer that takes you around the world in one novel, and back again. This is a short and fun read that I highly recommend.