As I have begun reading Lavinia by Ursula K. Le Guin, an inspiring novel that wonderfully retreads the past through the perspective of a young girl, I have enjoyed following her story as she grows into a stronger woman. Taking place in ancient Italy, the story of Lavinia has become the relevant story of maturing, finding one’s self, and much more still felt by countless around the world.
”I know who I was, I can tell you who I may have been, but I am now, only in this line of words I write. I’m not sure of the nature of my existence, and wonder to find myself writing. I speak Latin, of course, but did I ever learn to write it? That seems unlikely. No doubt someone with my name Lavinia, did exist, but she may have been so different from my own idea of myself, or my poet’s idea of me, that it only confuses me to think about her” (p. 3).
Lavina speaks of her adventurous stories, her pasted experiences, and the near scary future lying before her. She is brave and will continue with strife as any person must do when facing the unknown that lies ahead. This has been only the beginning of Lavinia’s story, however, I am so excited to be continuing this novel, and can not wait for its next chapter.