Author
Christian Reid
1846-1920
Christian Reid (1846-1920) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
WikipediaSubjects
Books by Christian Reid
Fairy Gold
"Fairy Gold" by Christian Reid is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story centers around three young women—Claire, Marion, and Helen—who have just completed their education in a convent and are preparing to enter the outside world. Each character embodies different aspirations and views on life, with Claire being an aspiring artist, Marion seeking financial security, and Helen focusing on happiness and love. The interactions among these girls highlight their contrasting personalities and set the stage for their individual journeys into adulthood. At the start of the novel, the reader is introduced to the three girls in a school setting as they reflect on their impending freedom from the convent. Claire, the least beautiful but an introspective artist, expresses her fears about facing the outside world alone; Marion dreams of wealth and success but grapples with her own insecurities; and Helen, the embodiment of optimism, looks forward to reuniting with her family. The narrative captures their nuanced emotions as they prepare for a transition that promises challenges and opportunities, and hints at future tensions that may arise from their differing ambitions and values as they navigate adult life.
A Comedy of Elopement
"A Comedy of Elopement" by Christian Reid is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story is set in the picturesque surroundings of St. Augustine, Florida, focusing on the emotional dilemmas of the main character, Fanny Berrien, a beautiful young woman caught between two suitors; she is contemplating an elopement that could change her life forever. Accompanied by her innocent cousin Aimée, Fanny is navigating the complexities of love, societal expectations, and self-discovery. The opening portion introduces Fanny and Aimée as they discuss an impending elopement, which creates tension and intrigue. Fanny is conflicted about her feelings for Lennox Kyrle, her passionate admirer, and is also aware of the stabilizing presence of her other suitor, Mr. Meredith. The narrative captures the youthful excitement and innocence of Aimée as she listens to her cousin’s romantic troubles. However, Fanny's indecision leads her to enlist Aimée's help in delivering a message to Lennox, setting the stage for a series of choices that will ultimately impact their lives. As Aimée embarks on her midnight errand, the stakes are raised, hinting at deeper themes of love and moral responsibility within this light-hearted comedy.
"The land of the sky" : $b or, Adventures in mountain by-ways
"The Land of the Sky; or, Adventures in Mountain By-Ways" by Christian Reid is a travel narrative written in the late 19th century. It follows a lively party—an observant female narrator, her spirited sister Sylvia, their formidable Aunt Markham, and companions Eric, Charley, and Rupert—on a summer ramble across the Blue Ridge into Western North Carolina. Expect exuberant nature writing, local color, and light romantic and social comedy woven through stagecoach jolts, mountain climbs, and spa-town encounters in and around Asheville. At the start of the narrative, the family debates how to reach the mountains, finally sending their carriage and horses one way while they take the railroad to Old Fort and a stage over Swannanoa Gap with famed driver John Pence. After a brace breaks and a tunnel-side pause, they ascend through streams, laurel, and precipices to a glorious summit view, then descend by moonlight along the Swannanoa to arrive in Asheville. The next day brings bright surveys of the hilltop town, a chance meeting with the charming Creole siblings Adèle and Victor Dupont, a detour to the French Broad and Deaver’s Springs for sulphur water, and a sunset-and-moonrise rapture atop Beaucatcher, followed by Victor’s music at the hotel. At dawn Sylvia and Victor ride back to Beaucatcher to witness a sea of mist at sunrise, then explore the Swannanoa valley; later, fording the river on an afternoon ride, they encounter Ralph Lanier—an ardent acquaintance—hinting that romantic entanglements will accompany the scenic touring.