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Thornbird of the New City

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Centered on the protagonist Anne Narcissus's journey of growth, the novel chronicles her refusal to yield to fate. From her beginnings as a working-class girl in New City, she navigates a world marked by familial breakdown (her mother's infidelity and departure), societal violence (the Jonathan family's hegemony), the turmoil of war, and the intertwined hardships faced by women. From failing elementary school grades, Anne finds inspiration through Lilian and her own awakening, persevering in her studies. She navigates the shadows of war during middle school, family upheavals, and working part-time to support herself. In high school, her dedication earns her a recommendation from a noblewoman, breaking through gender and class barriers. Ultimately, she gains admission to the law program at Saint Amos University, becoming the first female college student from her hometown. Through knowledge, she rewrites her own destiny and that of women from the lower classes, embodying a relentless struggle against adversity.

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