Fantine and her daughter Cosette left Paris looking for a new start, but finding a job as a single mother proves impossible in 19th century France. Taking up the offer of an innkeeper couple, Fantine leaves Cosette in the care of the Thenardiers while she moves on to find work. Once Fantine is gone, however, the Thenardiers show their true colors, working Cosette mercilessly while pocketing the money Fantine sends for her support. Years pass and Cosette and Fantine dream of the time when they will be together again, but it seems the years only bring more hardships to both. What will become of little Cosette?
Since General de Jarjayes of France’s Royal Guard always wanted a son, he brings up his only daughter Oscar to dress, fight, and behave like a man. When Oscar’s excellent swordsmanship wins her the honored position as bodyguard to Louis XVI’s new bride, Marie Antoinette, the Jarjayes household believes it can finally be proud. However, what nobody realizes is the pit of thorns the royal court in Versailles has become – with all its excessive opulence, it attracts not just those with status and wealth, but also those with ruthless ambition. To confound matters, Marie Antoinette turns out to be an airhead whose selfish actions are turning the starving population against her. Amidst the sordid schemes and terrible tragedies, and with the tide of history sweeping against the nobles, can Oscar protect her new King and Queen whilst upholding justice for the oppressed peasants of France?
If you enjoy great French literature and epic historical dramas and romances, both of these series are definitely for you.
When Sara Crewe's father left to work in India, she was sent to a boarding school. With her affluent background and beautiful dresses, Sara was ensured a warm welcome to her new home; but this reputation gained her enemies. Tragedy then struck when her father passed away, and her family was forced into bankruptcy, leaving Sara at the cruel hands of the school’s headmistress. Now, life for Sara is as hard as it can get, as she has been forced to become a maid in exchange for her poor room and board. With her friends and imagination at her side, Sara will try to make the best out of her bad situation.
Events of tragedy and poverty are experienced in the main character of the two titles. Les Miserables and Little Princess Sara go from a stable lifestyle to a very poor one. The setting is taken place years before now and in a seemingly "English" setting. I'm sure the story, events, and the personality of the protagonists will give off a similar feel.