"Finding Emilie" by Laurel Corona is a captivating young adult novel set in France during the tumultuous years leading up to the French Revolution. The story follows Lili, the fictional daughter of the renowned mathematician Emilie du Chatelet, who survived infancy in this alternate history. Raised under the strict supervision of her aunt, Lili's thirst for knowledge clashes with societal expectations as she struggles against the confines of a convent education. Rescued by family friend Julie de Bercy, Lili finds refuge in Paris amidst Enlightenment intellectuals. Despite her intellectually stimulating surroundings, Lili yearns to uncover her mother's past, facing resistance from her aunt. As she navigates societal pressures and arranged marriage, Lili forms a bond with Voltaire and eventually finds love with a progressive young man. Yet, looming over their happiness is the specter of the impending revolution. Corona skillfully weaves a tale of self-discovery, familial bonds, and intellectual pursuit against the backdrop of historical upheaval.
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