Portrait of Margarita
| Company type | Children's novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Founder | Ruth M. Arthur |
| Products | Children's literature |
| Parent | Atheneum Books |
Portrait of Margarita is a 1968 children's novel authored by Ruth M. Arthur, featuring illustrations by Margery Gill and published by Atheneum Books. The story unfolds across Oxfordshire and Lake Garda, focusing on a young woman who grapples with her mixed-race heritage after the tragic loss of her parents.
Summary
The narrative follows Margarita as she confronts the complexities of her mixed-race identity in the aftermath of her parents' fatal plane accident. After turning sixteen, she embarks on a journey of self-exploration, forging new family relationships and undergoing significant personal development.
Margarita becomes the legal ward of Francis, her mother's cousin, whom she has never encountered before. As she settles into his community—including encounters with a threatening elderly woman and a young girl diagnosed with autism—she processes her grief, rebuilds trust, and gradually embraces who she is.
Plot
Part I
In the wake of her parents’ demise, Margarita spends school vacations at Swithins Mill in Hockton, Oxfordshire, living with Cousin Francis. Their relationship grows close despite some locals responding negatively to her exotic appearance. Margarita secretly harbors romantic feelings toward Francis. Near the end of this initial visit, she meets the Giles family, newcomers referred to as "that painting lot."
Part II
During the spring break return, Margarita faces intensified antagonism from Miss Laura, who resents Francis’s attention toward her. She also encounters the mysterious Ghost Dog, believed to signal impending danger.
At the Giles residence, Margarita observes Stella’s autistic episodes and begins to establish trust with both Stella and Lucy. Painter Giles arranges to create a portrait of Margarita. Although she enjoys these experiences, Margarita endures anonymous bullying. When the portrait is defaced—initially attributed to Stella—Margarita uncovers Miss Laura’s culpability after discovering one of Laura's hairpins near the vandalism. A confrontation reveals escalating hostility, but Margarita’s life is ultimately saved by the Ghost Dog. Francis commissions Giles to produce a new version of the portrait.
Part III
In July, Francis brings Margarita to his home on Lake Garda, Italy, where he presents the newly commissioned portrait intended to advance Giles’s artistic career. They spend several weeks boating and exploring the Dolomites. Margarita meets Pietro, a local boy who speaks Italian with her and later reveals himself as Francis’s nephew.
Pietro bestows upon Margarita the nickname "Nutmeg," which evokes memories of her deceased father and strengthens their connection. She openly shares her sorrow with him. Learning about Francis’s wartime history in Lake Garda and Pietro’s family background deepens Margarita’s understanding of her evolving life.
After surviving a near-fatal boating incident, Margarita recognizes her romantic feelings for Pietro. Together, they envision a future collaborating in work with autistic children. When she finally discloses her Jamaican roots, Pietro warmly accepts them and proposes visiting the West Indies to help her reconnect with that aspect of herself. This acceptance empowers Margarita to move beyond previous humiliations and embrace her complete identity.
Major characters
Margarita Somerville, the 16-year-old central figure, is a mixed-heritage orphan experiencing considerable personal development. Having moved frequently, she has not established lasting friendships. Her olive complexion, dark eyes, and black hair often cause others to perceive her as an outsider, and she endures animosity from her mother.
Margarita's Father, a physician and former Royal Air Force pilot, shared a close relationship with Margarita.
Margarita's Mother, of mixed white and black descent, benefited from privileges associated with lighter skin. Originally from the West Indies, she relocated to England at a young age and distanced herself from her mixed-race identity. Her resentment toward Margarita’s darker skin tone contributed to their difficult relationship.
Margarita's Maternal Grandmother, a black Jamaican woman who married a white man, experienced conflict with her daughter and lost contact after her daughter's move to England.
Francis Rossington, cousin to Margarita’s mother and her guardian, participated in Italian partisan activities near Lake Garda during World War II. He currently resides mostly at Swithins Mill in Hockton, Oxfordshire—a restored 17th-century mill—works as a solicitor, travels extensively for business, cultivates orchids, and is authoring a memoir about his wartime experiences.
Carolyn Rossington, Francis’s twin sister who passed away 17 years ago, faced persistent bullying throughout her life. After the war, she settled near Lake Garda, became engaged to a local doctor who died in a car accident, and later married Giorgio. She was adamant that their son Pietro remain unaware of his uncle Francis until reaching adulthood for safety reasons.
Miss Laura Frisk, formerly nurse to Francis and Carolyn and companion to Mrs. Rossington until her death four years prior, now lives near Francis. She is protective of Francis’s time and alternates between courteous and antagonistic behavior toward Margarita.
Stella Willard, the four-year-old sister of Lucy diagnosed with autism, displays nonverbal and challenging behaviors that require significant caregiving. Over time, she becomes more receptive to Margarita’s presence, particularly responding positively to her singing.
Pietro Fanetti, Margarita’s romantic interest, is Cynthia’s son and Francis’s nephew. He was raised near Lake Garda by Rosa’s brother.
Minor characters
- Jacob Hawthorne – employee in Cousin Francis’s household.
- Giles Willard – artist and father of Stella; painted her namesake portrait.
- Martha Willard – former ballet choreographer now dedicated full-time to caring for Stella.
- Trudie Hawthorne – Jacob’s wife and also employed by Cousin Francis.
- Vicar and family – neighbors residing near Cousin Francis.
- Lucy Willard – five-year-old neighbor and friend of Margarita.
- Rosa (Signora Castelli) – proprietor of the Lake Garda café and household assistant to Il Capitano when he visits.
- Giovanni Castelli – wartime partisan executed by German forces; husband of Rosa.
- Giorgio Fanetti – Rosa’s brother, Carolyn’s husband, and Pietro’s adoptive father.
- Mrs. Rossington – mother of Cousin Francis who dressed both Francis and Cynthia as girls during their childhood.
- Mr. Rossington – father of Cousin Francis who died in India during Francis’s youth.
- Daughter of the original owners of Swithins Mill who perished in a flood a century ago.
- Ghost dog said to haunt Swithins Mill, connected to the deceased girl and current misfortunes.
Autism
A prominent subplot centers on a four-year-old girl with severe autism, offering an in-depth portrayal of autistic behaviors. It is important to note that during the late 1970s, the concept of autism was still largely unfamiliar to the general public.
Reception
In the late 1970s, Portrait of Margarita was incorporated into the curriculum of a girls’ secondary school in Kent and was regarded as a modest narrative about an orphaned adolescent under the care of an enigmatic guardian. Critics such as Susan Elkin found the subplot involving autism to be particularly engaging. The Fresno Bee praised the novel’s storyline as unforgettable. Sheila Ray emphasized its romantic aspects, which are thoughtfully balanced with contemporary themes like racial identity and autism. The novel is distinctly anchored in its Oxfordshire location and upper-class milieu, enriched by a subtle supernatural atmosphere.