The Hand of Ethelberta: A Comedy in Chapters

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hardy, Thomas, 1840-1928

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"The Hand of Ethelberta: A Comedy in Chapters" by Thomas Hardy is a novel written during the late 19th century. The story revolves around Ethelberta, a young widow of complex background and cleverness, who seeks to navigate societal expectations and her own aspirations while dealing with her past love and current relationships. The book promises a mix of social commentary and character-driven humor. The opening of the novel introduces us to Ethelberta as she steps out of the Red Lion Inn in a Wessex town, showcasing her charm and the attention she garners from local men, despite being a widow. The narrative hints at her intriguing history, including her rise from a governess to marrying into a nobler family, and her complex relationship with her mother-in-law. As Ethelberta enjoys a walk, she encounters various local characters who speculate about her past and current circumstance, establishing her as a figure of curiosity. The beginning sets the stage for her re-encounter with Christopher Julian, an old acquaintance, hinting at unresolved past feelings and the complexities that surround her life as she balances between her past and the challenges of her present. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

This eBook was produced from the 1907 Macmillan and Co. edition by Les Bowler, St. Ives, Dorset

Notes:

Reading ease score: 77.8 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.

Release date is 2002-10-01