Sylvia's LoversElizabeth Gaskell's only historical novel, Sylvia's Lovers, is set in 1790 in the seaside town of Monkshaven (Whitby) where press-gangs wreak havoc by seizing young men for service in the Napoleonic wars. One of their victims is whaling harpooner, Charley Kinraid, whose charm and vivacity have captured the heart of Sylvia Robson. But Sylvia's devoted cousin, Philip Hepburn, hopes to marry her himself and, in order to win her, deliberately withholds crucial information - with devastating consequences. With its themes of suffering, unrequited love, and the clash between desire and duty, Sylvia's Lovers is one of the most powerfully moving of all Gaskell's novels, reputedly described by its author as 'the saddest story I ever wrote'. |
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Alice arms asked began Bell better brought called CHAPTER child comfort coming Corney Coulson Daniel dead deal door eyes face father feeling felt Foster friends Gaskell gave give gone half hand Haytersbank head hear heard heart Hepburn Hester hold hour husband it's Jeremiah John keep kind Kinraid knew lass leave light live look manner mind Molly Monkshaven morning mother never night niver once passed perhaps Philip poor present press-gang pretty question replied Robson Rose round sailors seemed seen side sitting speak spoke standing steps stood story strong sure Sylvia taken talk tell thee there's things thou thought told took town turned voice walk watch wife wish woman yo'r young