Green Doors

by Ethel Cook Eliot

"Green Doors" by Ethel Cook Eliot is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the complex relationships within a family, particularly focusing on the protagonist, Petra Farwell, and her struggles with her stepmother Clare, against the backdrop of privilege and emotional turmoil within their lives. The opening portion of the book introduces us to Doctor Lewis Pryne, a psychiatrist, during a conversation he has with Dick Wilder, a family friend. Dick reveals his concern for a young woman, Petra, who seems emotionally distant despite her privileged upbringing, and suggests that Clare, Petra's stepmother, is deeply devoted to helping her. The narrative then establishes a connection between Lewis and the Farwell family, hinting at upcoming interactions that may dive deeper into Petra’s emotional struggles and the roles played by those around her. There's also a hint of Petra's past, particularly about a friend named Teresa, whose significance in Petra's life raises questions about duty, loss, and emotional isolation amidst an ostensibly charmed life.