by a maid, and a note written by a friend. In keeping with the spiritualist theme, the story moves fluidly through time, jumping backward on several occasions to fill in the story of the Memenons (in particular, Papa\u0027s history as an electrical scientist). Bender gracefully conveys how the currents of the times and the influence of parents shape a young mind, and in Ambrétte the author has created a memorable character."⭐ 4.7/5(10)