Christina and the boys

In a grand, dimly lit house perched on the edge of an autumn evening, young Christina finds refuge in her father’s sprawling library. Raised by a strict housekeeper and a devoted nurse after her mother’s death, the little girl is allowed into this treasure‑filled room only when the housemaid lights the fire. Surrounded by towering shelves and stained‑glass light, she discovers a world of stories that quickly becomes her sanctuary.

While the other children are kept away, Christina devours illustrated chronicles and histories, most recently becoming absorbed in the tragic tale of Joan d’Arc. The heroine’s courage sparks a fierce imagination in the eight‑year‑old, who imagines herself thrust into battle and prays desperately to avoid such a fate. Her tender fear and vivid daydreams set the stage for a gentle adventure that explores the power of books, the longing for bravery, and the comfort of a quiet, hidden corner in a house that seems far too large for a child.