Subject
Self-sacrifice -- Fiction Books
Best books
George Eliot
Romola
"Romola" by George Eliot is a historical novel written between 1862 and 1863. Set in 1490s Florence during the Italian Renaissance, it follows the scholarly Romola de' Bardi and her marriage to Tito Melema, a charismatic Greek scholar with dangerous secrets. As political upheaval sweeps through Florence under Savonarola's religious fervor, Romola must navigate betrayal, moral awakening, and the collision between personal loyalty and civic duty in a city torn by war, famine, and spiritual revolution.
Harriet T. (Harriet Theresa) Comstock
Mam'selle Jo
"Mam'selle Jo" by Harriet T. Comstock is a novel written in the early 20th century. This story revolves around Jo Morey, a woman who has spent years toiling to free herself from her constraints and the burdens of her family's past. Despite her lack of physical beauty, Jo possesses a resilient spirit and a strong desire to find purpose and love in her life, particularly after a profound personal loss. The opening of the book introduces Jo as she celebrates her newfound freedom after years of hard work, having just paid off her debts and feeling a mix of achievement and sadness. Set in the village of Point of Pines, Jo reflects on her past struggles and yearns for a future filled with love and community. As she contemplates her situation, a chance encounter leads her to bring an unnamed girl, later revealed to be Donelle, into her home—setting in motion a journey of discovery and connection. This narrative captures themes of resilience, the longing for companionship, and the quest for identity amidst adversity.
Julie Opp
The Squaw Man: A Novel
"The Squaw Man: A Novel" by Julie Opp Faversham is a historical fiction novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the lives of Jim Wynnegate and his cousin Diana Marjoribanks, as they navigate the complexities of family ties, love, and societal expectations in England. Amidst themes of honor and personal struggle, the characters confront their past and the impact of their familial legacy. At the start of the novel, Jim prepares to leave his home for India, facing a bittersweet farewell from his family, especially his childhood friend Diana. The narrative delves into Jim's reflections on his experiences with Diana, the oppressive influence of his cousin Henry, and the tension in their family dynamics. As Jim contemplates his departure, Diana's love for him becomes evident, shaping the unfolding drama as outside societal pressures and personal dreams clash, setting the stage for their entwined fates amidst the backdrop of familial obligations and personal ambition.
Hermann Sudermann
Dame Care
"Dame Care" by Hermann Sudermann is a novel published in 1887. This tale of East Prussian peasant life follows a boy whose godmother becomes Dame Care herself—a figure who promises he'll never starve if his soul, youth, and hope are given as hostage. The grim story weaves legend with reality as the protagonist battles against nature's forces, until a woman's love threatens to break the dark charm binding his fate.
Leroy Scott
To Him That Hath
“To Him That Hath” by Leroy Scott is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around David Aldrich, a struggling author who faces profound grief and moral dilemmas following the death of his close friend, Reverend Philip Morton. The narrative dives deep into themes of loss, guilt, and the societal expectations surrounding success and failure, setting the stage for David's internal conflict as he grapples with his sense of worth and responsibility. At the start of the book, David is thrust into a whirlwind of emotions upon receiving news of Morton's unexpected death. Overwhelmed by grief, he reflects on his friendship with Morton and the impact his mentor had on the community through his humanitarian efforts. As David prepares for the funeral, he is confronted not only with the loss of a dear friend but also with the stark reality of their contrasting lives—Morton as a respected and beloved figure, and himself as a struggling writer. The opening chapters establish a poignant tone, exploring David's feelings of inadequacy and foreshadowing the moral choices he will have to make in the face of mortality and legacy.
Kathleen Thompson Norris
Mother: A Story
"Mother: A Story" by Kathleen Thompson Norris is a novel likely written in the early 20th century. The narrative revolves around Margaret Paget, a young teacher who grapples with her ambitions and the mundane challenges of her life in a small town, particularly as she contemplates the contrast between her responsibilities and her personal aspirations. The story captures the dynamics of family life, societal expectations, and the struggle for self-fulfillment. At the start of the book, we are introduced to Margaret as she reflects on her weary existence amid dreary weather on the last week of school. She is surrounded by the mundane realities of teaching, feeling exhausted and yearning for a life beyond the confines of her classroom. Margaret communicates her frustrations to her colleague, Mrs. Porter, revealing her dissatisfaction and longing for something more than the monotonous routines that dictate her life. The situation intensifies when news of her brother's heartbreak over a friend's engagement prompts her to confront the societal pressures she faces as a woman in her position. As the chaos of family life unfolds, including the arrival of her loving yet wearied mother, Margaret's desire for change and opportunity becomes palpably clear, setting the stage for her eventual transformative journey.
Frances Fenwick Williams
The Arch-Satirist
"The Arch-Satirist" by Frances Fenwick Williams is a novel written in the early 20th century. It explores themes of creativity, morality, and the complexities of human relationships through the lives of its characters. The narrative centers around the characters Gerald Amherst, an artist with a pragmatic outlook on life, and Leo Ricossia, a young poet battling inner demons and addiction, both navigating the blurred lines between genius and depravity. At the start of the novel, the focus is on a conversation between Amherst and Ricossia in a dimly lit studio. Ricossia passionately discusses his worldview, expressing a desire to indulge in life's pleasures despite his declining health. Their dynamic reveals a contrast between Amherst's grounded nature and Ricossia's chaotic spirit. The opening sets the stage for an exploration of artistic genius, self-destruction, and the impacts of societal expectations and personal choices as the characters confront their inner turmoil and external realities.
Vasilii Ivanovich Nemirovich-Danchenko
Majurin holhokit
"Majurin holhokit" by Vasilii Ivanovich Nemirovich-Danchenko is a novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative introduces a former military officer, the titular major, who grapples with his changing circumstances as he turns to begging while simultaneously supporting orphaned children. This exploration of themes such as compassion, societal neglect, and personal dignity sets the stage for a poignant story about humanity and moral responsibility. At the start of this novel, the author invites readers into a winter scene at St. Isaac's Cathedral, where a somber atmosphere prevails. The protagonist reflects on the dark and still exterior, contrasting it with the ethereal beauty of the church's interiors, where the presence of worshippers and shadows evokes a sense of mysticism. Soon, he encounters an old major, a recently retired officer now reduced to a state of begging, seeking help in a world that seems poised against him. This chance meeting leads to introspection about generosity, societal roles, and the intertwined fates of the major and those he tries to assist, hinting at deeper interpersonal connections and social commentaries that will unfold as the story progresses.
Hermann Sudermann
Surutar : $b Romaani
"Surutar : Romaani" by Hermann Sudermann is a novel written in the late 19th century. It likely follows the hard upbringing of Paul Meyhöfer, born as his family loses their estate, with the figure of “Lady Care” casting a lifelong shadow over him. Around him stand his sorrow-worn mother Elisabet, his bitter, prideful father Max, and his compassionate godmother Helena Douglas from the nearby manor, with the “white house” as a symbol of lost security and longing. The opening of Surutar : Romaani shows Paul’s birth amid foreclosure, his mother’s quiet fortitude, and his father’s rage and drink-fueled despair. The new owner’s wife, Helena Douglas, gently intervenes, becomes Paul’s godmother, and briefly shelters the family, though pride forces a move to a shabby farm. We see Paul’s frail early years, his mother’s tale of the gray “Surutar,” and his timid schooling and bullying. Haunted by the distant “white house,” he finally visits it with his mother, meeting the kind Douglas family and forming a shy bond with their daughter, even as small illusions (like the humble sundial) deflate his fantasies. Back home, conflict flares; the father condemns the visit but accepts the offered money. Time skips forward to a portrait of Paul as a quiet, dutiful boy who cares for his twin sisters, works slowly and precisely, and matures early under poverty and fear, while his elder brothers advance at school and he does not.
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