The Wild Girl

The Wild Girl is by Kate Forsyth. A masterful work of historical fiction. Dortchen Wild and her family live across the street from the Grimm family. One of six sisters Dortchen's father is an apothecary, who does not approve of the poor Grimm family. Dortchen has loved Wilhelm Grimm all her life and tells him some of the stories he so loves to collect, even facing her father's disapproval. The story takes place in the small German kingdom of Hesse-Cassel before, during, and after the Napoleonic Wars. Forsyth draws from the true history of the Grimm brothers and the Wild's who lived next door. It does contain some very mature subject matter, as do the original Grimm fairy tales. Lovers of Grimm's fairy tales should read this book as well. 

Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).