The Draytons and the Davenants: A story of the Civil Wars: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Draytons and the Davenants: A story of the Civil Wars: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Draytons and the Davenants: A story of the Civil Wars is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Charles, Elizabeth Rundle (1828–1896).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Draytons and the Davenants: A Story of the Civil Wars" is a historical novel written in the late 19th century, attributed to the author of "Chronicles of the Schonberg-Cotta Family." The book is set against the backdrop of the English Civil Wars and explores the intersecting lives of two families, the Draytons and the Davenants. Told through the personal recollections and journals of the protagonist, Olive, the narrative blends family history with the larger religious and social struggles of the era. Through its focus on domestic scenes, childhood experiences, and evolving relationships, the novel illuminates the era’s conflicts as lived by ordinary people. The opening of the novel is steeped in nostalgia and memory, as Olive, living in New England, reflects on her childhood in England by drawing parallels between her present and her past. The narrative style is intimate, centered on Olive's recollections, including her earliest attempts to record "history" in a childhood journal—ranging from national events like royal ceremonies and persecutions, to personal incidents such as the death of a cow. Early chapters introduce Olive's close-knit family, her philosophical conversations with her brother Roger, the strict but well-meaning Aunt Dorothy, and the gentle Aunt Gretel. The story sets the stage for ongoing familial and ideological conflicts, notably with the arrival and description of the Davenant family and the enchanting Lady Lucy and her daughter Lettice, whom Olive befriends. The opening portion covers themes of innocence, religious strife, moral questioning, and the shaping of allegiances during tumultuous times, providing readers with a deeply personal gateway into the larger historical narrative.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Draytons and the Davenants: A story of the Civil Wars
- Author credits: Charles, Elizabeth Rundle (1828–1896)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Great Britain -- History -- Civil War, 1642-1649 -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: British Literature
- Category: Historical Novels
- 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.
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