Join us on a literary world trip!
Add this book to bookshelf
Grey
Write a new comment Default profile 50px
Grey
Subscribe to read the full book or read the first pages for free!
I want to read the book!
All characters reduced
RUTH - Enriched edition Victorian Romance Classic With Author's Biography - cover

RUTH - Enriched edition Victorian Romance Classic With Author's Biography

Elizabeth Gaskell

Publisher: Good Press

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Summary

In "Ruth," Elizabeth Gaskell masterfully explores themes of morality, social class, and redemption through the poignant narrative of its titular character, Ruth Hilton. Set against the backdrop of Victorian England, Gaskell employs a realist literary style, blending detailed character studies with social commentary, as Ruth, a fallen woman, navigates the complexities of love and societal judgment. This unflinching portrayal of a woman's fall from grace and her subsequent struggle for dignity compels readers to confront the harsh realities of gender and class prejudices of the time. Elizabeth Gaskell, a trailblazer in the 19th-century literary landscape, often drew inspiration from her own experiences and the world around her. Being a keen observer of social issues, she was acutely aware of the plight of women in a patriarchal society. Gaskell's works, including "Mary Barton" and "North and South," frequently highlight the struggles of the working class and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals, which deeply inform the character of Ruth and her journey towards redemption and self-discovery. "Ruth" is a compelling read that not only captivates with its emotional depth but also serves as a critical reflection on the societal norms of its time. It is highly recommended for those who appreciate rich character development and the intricate interplay of social issues within historical narratives, offering vital insights into the complexities of human experiences.

In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Available since: 01/12/2024.
Print length: 465 pages.

Other books that might interest you

  • Rapunzel - Story Time Episode 20 (Unabridged) - cover

    Rapunzel - Story Time Episode 20...

    Brothers Grimm

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    Rapunzel is a fairy tale about the love between a young prince and a girl with long, blond hair that conquered all of the Witch's evil intentions. They were persistent in their intentions on being happy together, and the Witch was their biggest obstacle. Years passed by, and their love grew stronger.
    Show book
  • The Scarlet Pimpernel - cover

    The Scarlet Pimpernel

    Baroness Emmuska Orczy

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    "The Scarlet Pimpernel" is a historical adventure novel first published in 1905. Written by Baroness Emmuska Orczy, the story is set during the early phase of the French Revolution and introduces the character of Sir Percy Blakeney, a daring English nobleman who disguises himself as the mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel. Under this alter ego, he daringly rescues French aristocrats from the guillotine. The novel also explores the tension and romance between Sir Percy and his French wife, Marguerite, who is initially unaware of her husband's secret identity. The book has been adapted into numerous stage and film productions and has spawned sequels and a whole series of Pimpernel books.
    Show book
  • A Lady's Story - cover

    A Lady's Story

    Anton Chekhov

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    Natalya was once a happy and radiant young woman. Now an older woman, she reflects about her youth. In particular, she thinks about the heavy emphasis she put on her wealth and the relationships and experiences that it cost her. One man, Pyotr, loved her, but they both let their different statuses in society prevent their love from having a chance. After years of unhappiness and regret, Pyotr comes to visit Natalya.
    Show book
  • Colonel Benyon's Entanglement - A prime example of weird fiction from one of Victorian Englands most prominent female authors - cover

    Colonel Benyon's Entanglement -...

    Mary Elizabeth Braddon

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    Mary Elizabeth Braddon was born in London on the 4th October 1835. 
 
At age 5 her parents separated but her ambition to succeed was not daunted.  After being privately educated she took to acting, and the minor roles she obtained where enough to support both her and her mother.  This potential career waned as soon as she began writing and secured an income from it. 
 
In 1860, she met John Maxwell, a publisher of periodicals, and moved in with him the following year.  At the time Maxwell was already married with five children but his wife was confined to an Irish mental asylum.  On her death they married and she had six children by him. 
 
Braddon was prolific and wrote over 80 novels, perhaps the most famous is ‘Lady Audley's Secret’ (1862), which won her both sales and a fortune as a bestseller.  She also wrote a number of historical fiction novels which again increased her reputation. 
 
She was equally prolific as a short story writer, primarily supernatural and ghost stories, all of which continue to be anthologized to this day, such is the high regard they are kept in. 
 
Braddon founded Belgravia magazine in 1866, its fare being serialised sensation novels, poems, travel narratives and biographies, along with essays on fashion, history and science, all lavishly illustrated.  She also edited Temple Bar magazine. 
 
Mary Elizabeth Braddon died on 4th February 1915 and is buried in Richmond Cemetery. 
 
In this story Colonel Benyon returns from service abroad on sick leave to find that England is very much changed.  He accepts a friend’s invitation to take a short recuperation at his home in Cornwall, which has lain empty for some time.  The Colonel takes up the offer, but things do not go quite as planned.
    Show book
  • Winnie The Pooh - cover

    Winnie The Pooh

    A. A. Milne

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    “A hug is always the right size.”  
Winnie the Pooh  
After all, one can’t complain. I have my friends.”  
Eeyore  
“The things that make me different are the things that make me, me.” 
Piglet 
“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.” 
Christopher Robin 
 
 
Winnie-the-Pooh also called Pooh Bear and Pooh, is a fictional anthropomorphic teddy bear created by English author A. A. Milne and English illustrator E. H. Shepard. The first collection of stories about the character was the book Winnie-the-Pooh, and this was followed by The House at Pooh Corner.3:10Alan Alexander Milne was an English writer best known for his books about the teddy bear Winnie-the-Pooh, as well as for children's poetry. Milne was primarily a playwright before the huge success of Winnie-the-Pooh overshadowed all his previous work.
    Show book
  • The Adventure of the Cardboard Box - cover

    The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

    Arthur Conan Doyle

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    The Adventure of the Cardboard Box is one of the 56 short Sherlock Holmes stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It is the second of the twelve Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes in most British editions of the canon, and the second of the eight stories from His Last Bow in most American versions. The story was first published in The Strand Magazine in 1893.Miss Susan Cushing of Croydon receives a parcel in the post that contains two severed human ears packed in coarse salt. Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard suspects a prank by three medical students whom Miss Cushing was forced to evict because of their unruly behaviour. The parcel was sent from Belfast, the city of origin of one of the former boarders. Upon examining the parcel himself, Holmes is convinced that it is evidence of a serious crime. He reasons that a medical student with access to a dissection laboratory would likely use something other than plain salt to preserve human remains, and would be able to make a more precise cut than the roughly hacked ears suggest. The address on the package, roughly written and with a spelling correction, suggests to Holmes that the sender lacks education and is unfamiliar with Croydon. The knot in the string suggests to Holmes that they are looking for someone with sailing experience...Famous works of the author Arthur Conan Doyle: A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of the Four, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Return of Sherlock Holmes, The Valley of Fear, His Last Bow, The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes, Stories of Sherlock Holmes, The Lost World.
    Show book