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'. |
From inside the book
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... told him that she would try to send the whole three-volume novel to him in 'September next'.13 References in March 1860 to investigations being made on her behalf by her husband, William – who consulted the Annual Register for details ...
... told him that she would try to send the whole three-volume novel to him in 'September next'.13 References in March 1860 to investigations being made on her behalf by her husband, William – who consulted the Annual Register for details ...
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... told, after a certain walk he took about this time on Tower Hill, when he, the attorney-general of England, was impressed, when the Admiralty had its own peculiar ways of getting rid of tiresome besiegers and petitioners. Nor yet were ...
... told, after a certain walk he took about this time on Tower Hill, when he, the attorney-general of England, was impressed, when the Admiralty had its own peculiar ways of getting rid of tiresome besiegers and petitioners. Nor yet were ...
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... told. Sylvia took a hard grasp of the hand of the older and more experienced Molly, and listened open-mouthed to the answers she was extracting from a gruff old sailor she happened to find near her. 'What ship is she?' 'T' Resolution14 ...
... told. Sylvia took a hard grasp of the hand of the older and more experienced Molly, and listened open-mouthed to the answers she was extracting from a gruff old sailor she happened to find near her. 'What ship is she?' 'T' Resolution14 ...
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... told me eight,' said Sylvia, secretly conscious that her mother would have preferred the more sober colour; and feeling that as she had had her own way in that respect, she was bound to keep to the directions she had received as to the ...
... told me eight,' said Sylvia, secretly conscious that her mother would have preferred the more sober colour; and feeling that as she had had her own way in that respect, she was bound to keep to the directions she had received as to the ...
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... told by a score of busy, sympathizing voices, that her husband was kidnapped for the service of the Government. She had need pause in the market-place, the outlet of which was crammed up. Then she gave tongue for the first time in such ...
... told by a score of busy, sympathizing voices, that her husband was kidnapped for the service of the Government. She had need pause in the market-place, the outlet of which was crammed up. Then she gave tongue for the first time in such ...
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Common terms and phrases
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