Product Description

'Human nature may be easy to see through, but it is very hard to understand.' The ageing Catherine Vernon, jilted in her youth, has risen to power in a man's world as head of the family bank. She thinks she sees through everyone and rules over a family of dependents with knowing cynicism. But there are two people in Redborough who resist her. One is Hester, a young relation with a personality as strong as Catherine's, and as determined to find a role for herself. The other is Edward, Catherine's favourite, whom she treats like a son. Conflict between young and old is inevitable, and in its depiction of the complex relationships that develop between the three principal characters, Publishing October 2003 (exact date?) Margaret Oliphant is one of the great Victorian novelists, and this edition establishes her rediscovered importance.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #96006 in Books
• Published on: 2009-04-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 512 pages

About the Author
Philip Davis is the author of The Victorians 1830-1880 in the new Oxford English Literary History series.

Customer Reviews

A gripping and thought-provoking glance into the 19th centur
This was the first of Oliphant's novels that I have come across, and, having finished it, I'm genuinely surprised that she isn't more widely read - as another reviewer has said, she certainly gives Trollope a run for his money, and I'm a big fan of Trollope. 'Hester' gives a very different view of the status of women in the 19th century, well worth reading for anyone interested in 19th century literature or history. However, it's also a genuinely well-written, enjoyable novel, with strong characters and a well-thought out plot. It's less a novel of suspense and more a novel of subtle character development, as we see the ageing, wealthy, businesswoman Catherine Vernon's relationship with the young, penniless, Hester, who is prevented from going out to work by her family's pride. Well worth reading!

A Wonderful tale from a lesser known 19C author
This is the story of Catherine and Hester Vernon, and the relationship between the two women and the one man whom both of them loved; Catherine as a son and Hester as a woman. Catherine once saved the family bank from ruin at the hands of Hester's reckless father when he fled the country in disgrace, and Hester and her mother return years later as paupers living at the charity of cousin Catherine, as do several other assorted Vernon relatives. Hester makes a poor impression on Catherine on her first day there and for years the two women barely tolerate each other. Catherine rules the "Vernonry" as it's called where those relatives live in relative comfort and she amuses herself watching their minor quirks and foibles as they gossip and interact with each other. As Hester matures, she catches the eye of two of her cousins, Harry and Edward Vernon, Edward being the apple of Catherine's eye and loved as she would her own son. Edward chafes under Catherine's thumb and plots to free himself forever, but he must find a way to obtain funds to do so, which could lead to the downfall of all the Vernons and the bank.

Sound boring? Actually it's not; it's a fascinating tale of two women and their intertwining relationships between themselves and others. I loved the secondary characters, especially the two Misses Vernons, such delightfully catty old maids! Oliphant does a fine job of setting her scenes and giving you a wonderful in depth look at a slice of Victorian England.

Just be warned, this is not an action packed, sit on the edge of your seat, can't put it down until its finished type of novel. This is a story to savor and enjoy the multi-faceted characters like a fine red wine or a box of chocolates (or both!!). If you are looking for high action and adventure, this is not the book for you. Oliphant is superb and although she doesn't quite come up the ten star standards of George Eliot, this is one author well worth taking the time to check out. If you are a first time reader to this author your best bet is to try her delightful Miss Marjoribanks first, a very funny and lighthearted romp and a refreshing change from the strum and drang of most 19C British literature. Five stars.

Warning - this reprint is incomplete - do not buy
This reprint is only volume 3 of the full 3 volumes (nineteenth-century novels were generally published in 3 volumes). The publishers do not say this. I advise people to buy one of the other editions, although there is enough drama in the final volume to make even an incomplete story a good read.