Phoebe, Junior (ePub)

Mrs. Margaret Oliphant (1828-1897) was a prolific Scottish writer, whose career spanned over 50 years and included a range of literary forms, from novels to historical texts and literary criticism. Known as Mrs. Oliphant in literary circles, she often wrote under the name 'M.O.W. Oliphant.' Her writing is characterized by its clear narrative voice and keen observations of Victorian society, morals, and the challenges faced by women. One of her well-regarded novels is 'Phoebe, Junior' (1876), which is a sequel to her earlier work 'Chronicles of Carlingford,' and it skillfully critiques the intricacies of middle-class life, religion, and social mobility. Oliphant's works were popular in her time for their realism and complex characterizations, contributing significantly to the development of the domestic novel and the representation of women's issues within that genre. Despite her vast output that includes over 120 works, including the 'Carlingford' series and biographies of historical figures like 'The Makers of Florence' (1876) and 'The Makers of Venice' (1887), Mrs. Oliphant's work fell into relative obscurity in the years following her death. However, recent criticism has brought renewed attention to her literary contributions, exploring the depth and breadth of her influence on the Victorian novel.