Mrs. Balfame: A Novel: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Mrs. Balfame: A Novel: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

Mrs. Balfame: A Novel is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Atherton, Gertrude Franklin Horn (1857–1948).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Mrs. Balfame: A Novel" by Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton is a fiction work written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Mrs. Enid Balfame, a refined and ambitious woman living in the small town of Elsinore, who becomes increasingly disenchanted with her marriage to David Balfame, a complacent and heavy-drinking man. The narrative explores themes of societal expectations, the roles of women, and the darker facets of domestic life as Mrs. Balfame grapples with intense feelings of resentment and contemplation of murder. The opening of the novel reveals Mrs. Balfame's inner turmoil as she attends a meeting of the Friday Club, where she is struck with the chilling idea of killing her husband, reflecting on the years of resentment building toward him. Through her observations during the meeting and her interactions with fellow club members, we see her struggle with societal norms and the undercurrents of her desires for autonomy and respect. As she plans her husband’s demise, the narrative hints at her determination and complexity, portraying her as both a sympathetic character and a figure on the brink of grave moral decisions. The emotional weight and intensity establish a gripping premise for the unfolding drama in her life.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Mrs. Balfame: A Novel
- Author credits: Atherton, Gertrude Franklin Horn (1857–1948)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Murder -- Fiction
- Mystery fiction
- United States -- Social life and customs -- 20th century -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Crime, Thrillers and Mystery
- Category: Novels
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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.


