The Fortunes of the Colville Family; or, A Cloud with its Silver Lining: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Fortunes of the Colville Family; or, A Cloud with its Silver Lining: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Fortunes of the Colville Family; or, A Cloud with its Silver Lining is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Smedley, Frank E. (Frank Edward) (1818–1864).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Fortunes of the Colville Family; or, A Cloud with its Silver Lining" by Frank E. Smedley is a novel written in the mid-19th century. The story revolves around the Colville family, particularly focusing on the widow Mrs. Colville and her two sons, Percy and Hugh, as they navigate personal loss, financial struggles, and the innocence of childhood amidst the realities of life. The narrative blends themes of family, ambition, and the complexities of social class during a period of significant change in Victorian society. The opening of the novel introduces readers to the Colville family’s heart-wrenching situation, following a recent death that has left them grieving and financially vulnerable. The portraits of the family members vividly paint their contrasting personalities, from the mature and responsible Percy to the lively and innocent Hugh, who offers comic relief amidst the backdrop of their struggles. Additionally, the narrative hints at the impending changes in their lives as they prepare to face new challenges away from home, setting the stage for themes of resilience and a quest for identity in a changing world.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Fortunes of the Colville Family; or, A Cloud with its Silver Lining
- Author credits: Smedley, Frank E. (Frank Edward) (1818–1864)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Christmas stories
- English fiction -- 19th century
- Families -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: British Literature
- Category: Novels
Read this 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.


