The Ralstons: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Ralstons: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Ralstons is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Crawford, F. Marion (Francis Marion) (1854–1909).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Ralstons" by F. Marion Crawford is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the lives and relationships of the Lauderdale family, particularly focusing on the two daughters, Charlotte and Katharine, and their father, Alexander Lauderdale, against the backdrop of wealth, societal expectations, and personal conflicts. The novel scrutinizes issues of class, morality, and the consequences of familial ties. The opening of the narrative introduces Alexander Lauderdale Jr., a man deeply concerned about the futures of his daughters, highlighting the contrasts between them: Charlotte, married to a congressman, and Katharine, who remains at home. The father's strict demeanor and unwavering religious convictions set the stage for familial tensions, particularly regarding his daughters' lives choices and the expectations he has placed upon them. As the story unfolds, a looming family crisis emerges with the impending death of the wealthy Robert Lauderdale, their uncle, which threatens to complicate existing relationships and reveal the underlying secrets and desires of the characters, especially concerning Katharine's secret marriage to John Ralston. This rich tapestry of character dynamics ensures a compelling exploration of love, duty, and the struggle for individual identity within the constraints of family and society.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Ralstons
- Author credits: Crawford, F. Marion (Francis Marion) (1854–1909)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Families -- Fiction
- Interpersonal relations -- Fiction
- New York (N.Y.) -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction
- Upper class -- United States -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- 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.



