Bessie's Fortune: A Novel: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition

Bessie's Fortune: A Novel is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Holmes, Mary Jane (1825–1907).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"Bessie's Fortune: A Novel" by Mary Jane Holmes is a historical fiction novel written in the late 19th century. The book introduces readers to the life of Bessie and the complex family dynamics among the Jerrolds and Greys, exploring themes of ambition, love, loss, and the haunting effects of past decisions. The narrative suggests a rich backdrop of social class and familial obligation, with attention to the relationships between characters like Geraldine Jerrold and her husband Burton, alongside their son Grey. At the start of the story, we meet Mrs. Geraldine Jerrold, who reminisces about her youth and her journey into the world of societal expectations after her marriage. She appears to harbor aspirations for her son, Grey, and a disdain for her in-laws, especially the peculiarities associated with her husband's family, including his father and sister Hannah. The opening presents a foreboding atmosphere, hinting at secrets and a troubled family history that may shape their interactions. As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, tensions arise around the dinner table, underscoring the underlying emotional conflicts tied to their past and relationships.

Book and edition facts

• Title: Bessie's Fortune: A Novel
• Author credits: Holmes, Mary Jane (1825–1907)
• Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

• Fiction

Gutenberg collections

• Category: Historical Novels
• Category: Novels

Read this edition

• Read the text in a browser
• EPUB ebook
• Plain-text edition

View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.

Source notes

Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.