Thornhill summary

The Haunting of Thornhill

In Thornhill by Pam Smy, we are taken on a haunting journey through the lives of two young girls, Mary and Ella, who are separated by decades but connected by their shared experiences of loneliness and abandonment. Mary's story is set in the 1980s, where she is a resident of Thornhill, an institution for orphaned and abandoned children. The story is narrated through Mary's diary entries, which reveal the harsh and isolating environment of Thornhill, where she is bullied by another girl named Bella.

As Mary's life at Thornhill becomes increasingly unbearable, she finds solace in creating papercraft dolls and building a secret garden in the institute's grounds, away from Bella's torment. Meanwhile, in the present day, we meet Ella, a young girl who has just moved into a house overlooking the now-abandoned Thornhill. Ella is also struggling with loneliness, having been left alone by her father, who is away for work, and is being bullied by a group of local children.

The Interweaving of Past and Present

As Ella explores the grounds of Thornhill, she discovers Mary's hidden garden and the papercraft dolls, which she begins to collect. In a poignant twist, Ella's story is presented through beautifully illustrated panels, creating a stunning visual contrast to Mary's diary entries. As Ella becomes more immersed in Mary's world, she begins to feel a deep connection with the girl who lived in Thornhill decades ago.

Through the interweaving of past and present, Thornhill explores the shared experiences of Mary and Ella, despite the time that separates them. Both girls are dealing with intense loneliness and bullying, and both find solace in their own unique ways - Mary through her papercraft and secret garden, and Ella through her connection with Mary and her dolls.

The Climax and Resolution

A series of events lead to a dramatic climax in the story, where Ella confronts Bella, who has grown into a bitter adult, and learns the shocking truth about Mary's fate. The resolution of the story is bittersweet, as Ella comes to terms with her own feelings of abandonment and loneliness, while also finding a sense of closure for Mary's tragic story.

As the story concludes, we are left with a sense of hope for both girls, as Ella decides to leave the past behind and make a fresh start, and Mary's spirit is finally set free from the haunting grounds of Thornhill. In the end, Thornhill is a poignant exploration of the lasting impact of loneliness and the power of connection, beautifully told through its unique combination of prose and haunting illustrations.