An Old Chester Secret (ePub)

Margaret Wade Campbell Deland's 'An Old Chester Secret' delves into the poignant life of Miss Lydia Sampson, a figure embodying both the strength and the endangered ethical integrity of an era. This novel, set in the social tapestry of Old Chester, a reflection of Deland's own late 19th-century American milieu, interweaves themes of familial duty, societal expectations, and personal resilience. With a prose style rich in detail and marked by an empathetic exploration of its characters' interior lives, Deland's work stands as a keen examination of human complexity under the seemingly tranquil surface of small-town life. The narrative, less defined by suspense than by its delicate moral unraveling, earns its place within the canon of realist fiction, resonant with the works of her contemporaries like Howells and Wharton.
Margaret Wade Campbell Deland, born in 1857, was an American novelist and short story writer known for her penetrating portrayals of small-town life in New England. The very essence of her narratives is rooted in her own experiences and observations of the manners and mores of her times. With 'An Old Chester Secret', Deland weaves a tapestry that reveals the often hidden, yet powerful undercurrents of human emotions and societal constraints. Her astute reflections in this book are likely informed by her reputation as an outspoken advocate for social reform and her unfaltering belief in the principles of humanism.
To those readers who cherish exploring the depth of character and the complexity of social dynamics in their literary journeys, 'An Old Chester Secret' is an enriching experience. Deland's keen observation and nuanced storytelling invite contemplation of the struggles between individual desires and the rigid frameworks of society. This book is a prime opportunity for enthusiasts of American literary realism to immerse themselves in a narrative that, while firmly anchored in its time, provides timeless commentary on the human condition.