Subject
Children of divorced parents -- Fiction Books
Best books
Henry James
What Maisie Knew
"What Maisie Knew" by Henry James is a novel written during the late 19th century. The story centers around a young girl named Maisie Farange, caught in the tumultuous aftermath of her parents' bitter divorce. As they battle over custody, she becomes a pawn in their ongoing conflicts, revealing the complexities of adult relationships through a child’s innocent perspective. The opening of the novel introduces us to a courtroom scene where the divorce and custody arrangements of Maisie are being discussed. The narrative highlights the inappropriate behaviors and attitudes of both parents, particularly as they prepare to share their daughter in a highly unconventional arrangement. Ms. Farange's mother is depicted as vain and resentful, while her father, Beale, is shown to be careless and dismissive. Maisie's sensitivity shines through as she seeks to navigate the emotional chaos inflicted upon her by her parents, baffled by their conflicting views. Though caught in the midst of adult grievances, she remains naive about the true nature of her situation, which foreshadows her journey of growing awareness and understanding in a world fraught with adult contradictions.
Pansy
Ruth Erskine's Son
"Ruth Erskine's Son" by Pansy is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Ruth Erskine Burnham and her son, Erskine, highlighting the complexities of their relationship as they navigate through societal expectations, personal aspirations, and family dynamics. As Ruth reflects on her past and her responsibilities as a mother, the novel delves into themes of love, loss, and the hope of a future intertwined with Erskine's potential romantic interests. The opening portion introduces Ruth, who is initially portrayed as a reflective mother, pondering the memories of her life and the bereavements she has endured. The narrative captures the tender moments between her and her son, particularly the discussion of Erskine's ambitions and the influence of societal norms on their relationship. As Ruth struggles with her fears about Erskine growing up and facing the outside world, it becomes clear that she harbors deep love and concern for his future. The dynamics shift as Erskine, now navigating society at college, begins to encounter societal pressures, which adds to Ruth's anxieties as a protective mother. This beginning sets the stage for their evolving relationship as they confront new challenges and relationships that could impact their bond.
Edith Wharton
The children
The children by Edith Wharton is a novel written in the early 20th century. It follows Martin Boyne, a middle‑aged engineer, who becomes entangled with the glamorous yet chaotic Wheater clan—especially teen caretaker Judith, her delicate twin Terry, and a volatile mix of full-, half-, and step‑siblings—while their wealthy parents drift between yachts and hotels. The story explores modern divorce and remarriage and the cost of adult caprice on children who are determined to keep themselves together. The opening of the novel finds Boyne on a cruise from Algiers, where he notices Judith minding a baby and a swarm of children and ends up sharing a cabin with her twin, Terry. Through Judith and the governess, Miss Scope, he learns the family tangle: the Wheater parents split and remarried disastrously (to a movie star and an Italian prince), then reunited; the brood now includes “steps” Bun, Beechy, and Zinnie alongside Judith, Terry, and Blanca, with baby Chip adored by the parents. A day trip to Monreale shows Judith’s flair for mothering even as high art leaves her cold, deepening Boyne’s interest. When Terry begs for an education, Boyne agrees to help, stays on to meet the parents in Venice, and secures a cultivated tutor, Gerald Ormerod. Over breakfast at the modest pension where the children stay, Judith refuses school for herself, vowing never to leave the tribe, and hints that Joyce may prefer to keep the tutor in Venice for her own amusement. The section closes with Boyne uncomfortably aware of adult currents swirling around the children he has begun to care about.
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