Subtitle The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane -

: Rynn's isolation is threatened by two primary antagonists: her intrusive landlady, Mrs. Hallet, and Mrs. Hallet's predatory son, Frank.

: Rynn eventually confides in Mario Podesta, a local teenager and amateur magician, who helps her preserve her secret and fend off those who threaten her solitary existence. Key Themes

: In reality, Rynn’s father is deceased, having died by suicide after preparing her to live independently until she reaches legal adulthood.

The following report provides a comprehensive overview of , analyzing its original 1974 novel by Laird Koenig and the acclaimed 1976 film adaptation starring Jodie Foster. Overview and Plot

The story is a psychological thriller and "Gothic mystery" centered on 13-year-old Rynn Jacobs, who lives alone in a secluded house in a New England town. To maintain her independence and avoid unwanted state guardianship, Rynn maintains a "poorly veiled ruse" that her reclusive poet father is simply busy upstairs or away on business.