The daughter of a poor physician, Janetta finds herself having to step into her feckless stepmother’s shoes when her father leaves.

With a house full of children to look after, she is driven to desperate measures in order to survive. However, despite the trials and tribulations thrown her way, Janetta remains a true friend to even the lowliest of people.

´A True Friend´ is a touching tale that explores the themes of loyalty, strength of character, and relationships. In Janetta, Sergeant creates a character who, on the face of it, may appear too good to be true but, once the surface is scratched, we see that she is as flawed and insecure as the rest of us.

A book full of yearning and aspiration, ´A True Friend´ is the perfect read for those looking for an introduction to Sergeant’s work.

Emily Frances Adeline Sergeant (1851 – 1904) was one of the most prolific novelists of the 19th century. Born in Derbyshire, Emily was the daughter of Richard Sergeant, a Methodist missionary, and Jane Hall, a writer of children’s books. Jane published her stories under the name Adeline, which Emily was later to adopt.

During her lifetime, Adeline Sergeant wrote over 90 novels, including ‘The Story of a Penitent Soul,’ ‘No Saint,’ and ‘The Idol Maker.’ Many of her works explored the theme of religion, as her views changed from committed faith to agnosticism, and finally, to Catholicism.