Kitty Canary: A Novel

by Kate Langley Bosher

"Kitty Canary: A Novel" by Kate Langley Bosher is a coming-of-age novel written in the early 20th century. Set during the summer in a small town, the story revolves around the spirited young protagonist, Kitty Canary, as she navigates her first experience of love and the social intricacies of the community she finds herself in. With a charming blend of humor and youthful insights, the narrative explores themes of romance, individuality, and societal expectations. At the start of the novel, Kitty expresses her exuberance about falling in love for the first time, revealing her intense feelings for a young man named Whythe Eppes. The opening chapters not only introduce Kitty's character—marked by her candidness and wit—but also establish her observations about her surroundings and her fellow boarders in Twickenham Town. Kitty's reflections on her past relationships, the nuances of friendships, and her evolving feelings towards Whythe hint at a complicated emotional landscape. As she settles into her new summer home, she becomes immersed in the town's social fabric, encountering lively characters and navigating the repercussions of romantic entanglements within the context of her youthful exuberance and desire for freedom.