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Wives and Daughters
An Every-Day Story
Written by Elizabeth Gaskell
Illustrator George du Maurier
Publisher Smith, Elder
Published 1866
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This book is public domain or creative commons
Gaskell's last novel, widely considered her masterpiece, follows the fortunes of two families in nineteenth century rural England. At its core are family relationships - father, daughter and step-mother, father and sons, father and step-daughter - all tested and strained by the romantic entanglements that ensue. Despite its underlying seriousness, the prevailing tone is one of comedy. Gaskell vividly portrays the world of the late 1820s and the forces of change within it, and her vision is always humane and progressive. The story is full of acute observation and sympathetic character-study: the feudal squire clinging to old values, his naturalist son welcoming the new world of science, the local doctor and his scheming second wife, the two girls brought together by their parent's marriage...
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Wives and Daughters was first published serially in the Cornhill Magazine from August, 1864, to January, 1866. Elizabeth Gaskell died suddenly in November, 1865. She had completed all but the last chapter, and in that sense the book, which many consider her masterpiece, is unfinished. The editor of the Cornhill Magazine, Frederick Greenwood, appended his comments about Mrs. Gaskell's intentions for the conclusion and about Mrs. Gaskell as a person. Those comments are included at the end of this e-book. Wives and Daughters was first published in book form in 1866 by Smith, Elder. Both the Cornhill serial and the Smith, Elder first edition had eighteen full-page illustrations by George du Maurier, and those are included in this e-book. The Cornhill edition also had small illustrations at the beginning of seventeen chapters, and those too are included.
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Thank you to Project Gutenberg
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