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The oak staircase: A narrative of the times of James II: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition

The oak staircase: A narrative of the times of James II: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

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AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject
AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject

The oak staircase: A narrative of the times of James II is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Lee, M. (Mary), active 1867-1892; Lee, C. (Catherine), active 1867-1892.

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"The Oak Staircase: A Narrative of the Times of James II" by M. and C. Lee is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. Set during the times of James II, the narrative intertwines two distinct anecdotes: the well-recognized story of the 'Maids of Taunton' and the romance between Lord Sunderland's daughter and the Earl of Clancarty. The primary characters include Frances Dalrymple, the daughter of Sir Bernard Dalrymple, and Lord Desmond, with their lives shaped by the tumultuous political landscape of their time. At the start of the story, lessons are ending in the bustling schoolroom at Horsemandown, where Frances and her siblings display their youthful exuberance and disdain for their studies. Frances is particularly drawn to the portraits on the grand oak staircase in their home, piquing her curiosity about her ancestors. As the children engage in lively banter and imaginative play, they are joined by their Uncle Algernon, who teases that a special historical story is to be revealed. This hints at the blending of the past with their present lives, setting the stage for Frances' tale as she prepares to navigate both family expectations and her own desires against the backdrop of historical events.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: The oak staircase: A narrative of the times of James II
  • Author credits: Lee, M. (Mary), active 1867-1892; Lee, C. (Catherine), active 1867-1892
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • Aristocracy (Social class) -- Juvenile fiction
  • Great Britain -- History -- James II, 1685-1688 -- Juvenile fiction
  • Husband and wife -- Juvenile fiction
  • Monmouth's Rebellion, 1685 -- Juvenile fiction
  • Siblings -- Juvenile fiction
  • Storytelling -- Juvenile fiction
  • Uncles -- Juvenile fiction

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: British Literature
  • Category: Historical Novels
  • Category: Romance

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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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