-
Your next favorite book
is waiting.
Three fates intertwine in this moving and passionate love story set in Victorian London.
Mary Finn: country girl, maid to a lord in London
Caden Tucker: liar, scoundrel, and heart's delight
James Nelligan: age six, tossed into a herd of boys
When Mary Finn falls into the arms of handsome Caden Tucker, their frolic changes the course of her life. What possesses her? She's been a girl of common sense until now. Mary's tale alternates with that of young James Nelligan, a new boy in an enormous foundling home.
In Folly, Marthe Jocelyn's breathtaking command of language, detail, and character brings Victorian London to life on every page, while the deep emotions that illuminate this fascinating novel about life-changing moments are as current as today's news.
"Starred Review. A thoughtful, accessible and richly detailed read that moves along at a satisfying clip-this will appeal beyond just already-established fans of historical fiction." - Kirkus Reviews
"The novel skillfully illustrates how the lives of those who resided 'belowstairs' in Victorian England were at the mercy of those with means. Ages 14–up." - Publishers Weekly
"The novel has a melancholy feel to it, but readers will care very much for these characters as they experience first love and sex, physical pain, jealousy, homelessness, hunger, shame, desertion, and heart-wrenching decisions. Teens will find Folly historically enlightening as well as rewarding. " - School Library Journal
"The story stumbles a bit when other characters take over the narration, but readers will be caught up in the dual tales and revel in the promising ending. Grades 8-12." - Booklist
This information about Folly was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Marthe Jocelyn is the author of several award-winning novels and has also written and illustrated picture books. Her novels for Wendy Lamb Books include How It Happened in Peach Hill and Would You. She lives in Stratford, Ontario, Canada.
If you liked Folly, try these:
by Nell Stevens
Published 2026
In a grand English country house in 1899, an aspiring art forger must unravel whether the man claiming to be her long-lost cousin is an impostor.
by Kiran Millwood. Hargrave
Published 2026
Two young women meet in Paris one sultry summer in a decades-spanning tour de force about the enduring power of young love and the poignant heartbreak of missed chances—perfect for fans of One Day and Normal People.
by Allegra Goodman
Published 2025
A young woman and her lover are marooned on an island in this breathtaking saga, an epic story of love, faith, and defiance from the bestselling author of Sam.
I write to add to the beauty that now belongs to me
Click Here to find out who said this, as well as discovering other famous literary quotes!
Can you name the title?
Test your book knowledge with our daily trivia challenge!
Your guide toexceptional books
BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
