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Mate selection -- Fiction Books
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Jane Austen
Sense and Sensibility
"Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen is a novel published in 1811. When the Dashwood sisters are forced from their family estate into reduced circumstances, they face romantic trials that test their contrasting natures. Sensible Elinor guards her feelings while passionate Marianne wears her heart openly. Both encounter love, disappointment, and betrayal as suitors prove honorable or false. Through heartbreak and revelation, the sisters must navigate society's demands while discovering what truly matters in matters of the heart.
Jane Austen
Emma
"Emma" by Jane Austen is a novel published in December 1815. Set in the village of Highbury, it follows Emma Woodhouse, a privileged young woman who fancies herself a matchmaker. Confident in her abilities, Emma meddles in the romantic lives of those around her, particularly her new friend Harriet Smith. But her misguided interventions lead to misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and unexpected revelations. Through a series of social missteps and romantic entanglements, Emma must confront her own blindness about matters of the heart.
Jane Austen
Sense and Sensibility
"Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen is a novel published in 1811. When the Dashwood sisters are forced from their family estate into reduced circumstances, two very different personalities face the trials of love and heartbreak. Elinor embodies prudent sense while Marianne follows passionate sensibility. As romantic attachments form and unravel, both sisters must navigate social expectations, financial realities, and the painful gap between appearance and truth in matters of the heart.
Thomas Hardy
The Return of the Native
"The Return of the Native" by Thomas Hardy is a novel published in 1878. Set entirely on the wild Egdon Heath over the span of a year, it follows the intertwined fates of several characters trapped by passion and circumstance. When Clym Yeobright returns from Paris, the beautiful but restless Eustacia Vye sees him as her escape from the desolate heath. Their marriage sets off a chain of events involving thwarted desires, family estrangement, and fateful misunderstandings that will test everyone's loyalties and dreams.
Jane Austen
Lady Susan
"Lady Susan" by Jane Austen is an epistolary novella written circa 1794 but not published until 1871. The story follows the cunning Lady Susan Vernon, a beautiful and charming widow described as "the most accomplished coquette in England," as she manipulates those around her for personal gain. She schemes to marry off her reluctant daughter Frederica to a wealthy fool while pursuing her own romantic conquests—ensnaring the naive Reginald De Courcy and maintaining an affair with a married man. Through letters between characters, the novella reveals Lady Susan's calculated deceptions and their consequences.
Lloyd Osbourne
Infatuation
"Infatuation" by Lloyd Osbourne is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Phyllis Ladd, a young woman navigating the complexities of love, relationships, and societal expectations following the death of her mother. As she grows up in a wealthy family, Phyllis experiences a series of pivotal moments that influence her understanding of love and the men around her. At the start of the narrative, we see Phyllis as a child grappling with the loss of her mother, which brings her closer to her father, Robert T. R. Ladd, a prominent railway president. Their close relationship fosters a blend of innocence and maturity within Phyllis, as she transitions from childhood to young adulthood. The opening chapters introduce her inner conflict about love as her father becomes a protective figure in her life. As she matures, Phyllis's search for a worthy partner leads her to reject two suitors, J. Whitlock Pastor and Captain Baron Sempft von Piller, setting the stage for an exploration of her desires and the intricate nature of romantic relationships. This narrative highlights the struggle between societal norms, personal aspirations, and the quest for genuine connection, making it an intriguing read for those interested in character-driven stories about love and identity.
Anthony Trollope
The Way We Live Now
"The Way We Live Now" by Anthony Trollope is a satirical novel published in 1875. Inspired by financial scandals of the early 1870s, it exposes the greed and dishonesty pervading Victorian commercial and political life. The story centers on Augustus Melmotte, a mysterious financier who arrives in London with grand ambitions. His railway scheme entangles aristocrats, a dissolute baronet pursuing Melmotte's daughter for her fortune, and various others whose lives become dangerously intertwined with his corrupt enterprise. Trollope's longest work dramatizes moral corruption across all levels of society.
Jane Austen
Gevoel en verstand
"Gevoel en verstand" by Jane Austen is a novel published in 1811. When the Dashwood sisters lose their inheritance, they must navigate a world where marriage and money determine their futures. Sensible Elinor guards her feelings carefully while romantic Marianne follows her heart openly. Both face heartbreak when the men they love prove unreliable or unavailable. As secrets emerge and engagements shock, the sisters discover that neither pure reason nor pure emotion alone can guide them through society's constraints.
Ring Lardner
The big town : $b How I and the Mrs. go to New York to see life and get Katie a husband
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Charles Reade
Love Me Little, Love Me Long
"Love Me Little, Love Me Long" by Charles Reade is a novel written during the mid-19th century. The story primarily revolves around Lucy Fountain, a young lady navigating her social relationships and the expectations placed upon her due to familial obligations and societal norms. The narrative begins with Lucy being placed under the care of her two trustees after the death of her mother, leading to interactions that explore themes of love, ambition, and personal freedom. The opening of the novel introduces Lucy as she adjusts to living with her Aunt Bazalgette. The characters engage in witty conversations, revealing their personalities and the tensions within their lives. Lucy's relationship with her cousin Reginald is characterized by playful banter, while her aunt expresses frustration with societal expectations, particularly in the context of marriage and appearances. As Lucy transitions between living with her various guardians, the groundwork is set for her internal conflict regarding love and autonomy, suggesting that her journey will delve deeper into the complexities of relationships and self-identity.
Jane Austen
The Watsons: By Jane Austen, Concluded by L. Oulton
"The Watsons" by Jane Austen, concluded by L. Oulton, is an unfinished novel written in the early 19th century. The story revolves around the Watson family, particularly the character Emma Watson, who is navigating the complexities of social engagement, family dynamics, and the pursuit of personal happiness. This narrative explores themes such as class distinction, romantic entanglements, and the challenges faced by women in a society laden with expectations. The opening of "The Watsons" introduces us to the anticipation surrounding a winter ball in the town of D----, where the Watson sisters are preparing for their first public appearance. Emma, the youngest, is set to make her debut, and we see her interact with her sisters about the ball, revealing familial bonds and initial impressions of potential suitors like Tom Musgrave. As Emma experiences the excitement and nerves of the occasion, the conversations she shares with her sisters shed light on their individual personalities and the social pressures of their time. The narrative hints at underlying tensions and romantic interests that promise to unfold as the story progresses, setting the stage for a rich exploration of love and society.
Mrs. (Catherine-Anne Austen) Hubback
The Younger Sister: A Novel, Volumes 1-3
"The Younger Sister: A Novel, Volumes 1-3" by Mrs. Hubback is a romantic fiction novel written in the mid-19th century. The story centers around the Reverend John Watson and his family, particularly focusing on his youngest daughter, Emma, as she navigates personal loss, family dynamics, and societal expectations. The narrative hints at themes of love, ambition, and the struggles faced by young women of the era. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to the Reverend Watson, who has become a shadow of himself following the death of his wife. The story detailed the impact this loss has had on his family, particularly on his three daughters, who were left at the mercy of their father's indolence. Emma, the youngest, finds herself in a better situation when taken in by her wealthy uncle but is soon confronted with the challenges of reconnecting with her own family amid the complexities of social standing and romantic intrigues. The opening sets the stage for Emma's character development, providing a glimpse into her struggles with feelings of loss, familial affections, and the society’s expectations pressing upon her as she prepares for her first ball.
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