A humbling story of a servant. A truly devoted soul. This is more humbling for the reader, though. An uneducated young girl with no family advantage and only poor luck lives a life of servitude and gratitude. It is difficult to read in days when we take so much for granted. The story takes place in a back water town in Brittany France in the early 1800's. Life is recognizable but feels like a different planet. I highly recommend it in the days we consider challenging times - I think a little perspective helps .