Hollyhock House: A Story for Girls

by Marion Ames Taggart

"Hollyhock House: A Story for Girls" by Marion Ames Taggart is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the lives of three sisters—Mary, Jane, and Florimel Garden—who navigate their motherless childhood in a charming, floral-filled home, known as Hollyhock House. As the narrative unfolds, their peaceful existence is disrupted by revelations about their long-lost mother, who has spent years pursuing her career as a performer in England. At the start of "Hollyhock House," the reader is introduced to the Garden sisters, each a unique character with distinct traits. Mary is the nurturing oldest sister, Jane is spirited and imaginative, while Florimel is adventurous and mischievous. The opening portion vividly depicts their playful interactions in the rich garden surrounding their home, establishing a sense of warmth and familial bond. The story hints at their mother's absence, which looms over the girls' lives, as they grapple with both the joys and challenges that come with sisterhood and the mysteries of their family background, particularly as they learn that their mother, thought to be dead, is actually alive and wishes to return to them.