Mint Editions (Women Writers)

Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

• Publisher: Mint Editions
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9781513276359
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Classics
• Index: Literature

Originally published as a serial story, Wives and Daughters is told with an episodic narrative, following a young woman named Molly Gibson as she comes of age. Molly is the only child of a widowed doctor. Raised in an English provincial town, Molly's childhood is filled with trips to aristocratic mansions and bonding experiences with her father. As she grows older however, men become more interested in her because of her attractive appearance. When Dr. Gibson discovers a creepy crush one of his apprentices has on his daughter, he sends her away to live with another family. Though she misses her father, Molly enjoys her life with the Hamley family. Treated as if she were their daughter, Molly grows very close with Mrs. Hamley and the youngest son, Roger. Meanwhile, as domestic drama unfolds at the Hamley's, Dr. Gibson entertains the idea of remarrying. Thinking that another woman would have a good influence on Molly, Dr. Gibson decides to marry Miss Claire, who Molly had met once as a child. Though he had good intentions, Dr. Gibson was mistaken in his assumption that Molly and his new wife would get along. Already shy and a little awkward, Molly does her best to keep the peace, but feels that her stepmother is selfish and too social ambitious. Even though Molly misses living with the Hamley's, she soon finds joy in her new homelife as she grows close to her stepsister, Cynthia, who has a nearly opposite personality compared to Molly. Despite their differences, Molly and Cynthia form a unique bond that they must nurture as they grow together, enduring the unfair social expectations of 19th century England.

With secret proposals, family drama, abusive men, and hurtful gossip, Wives and Daughters is a thrilling account of life as a woman in 19th century England. While Gaskell provides fascinating insight on home life and societal expectations during this period, Wives and Daughters also features strong and intriguing characters that have captured the hearts of readers for centuries.

Regarded as one of Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell's most popular novels, this edition of Wives and Daughters features an eye-catching cover design and is printed in an easy-to-read font. With these accommodations, modern readers are able to experience this gripping classic with ease.

Since our inception in 2020, Mint Editions has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh, professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover, all while maintaining the integrity of the original book.

With thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• I. The Dawn of a Gala Day
• II. A Novice Amongst the Great Folk
• III. Molly Gibson’s Childhood
• IV. Mr. Gibson’s Neighbours
• V. Calf-Love
• VI. A Visit to the Hamleys
• VII. Foreshadows of Love Perils
• VIII. Drifting into Danger
• IX. The Widower and the Widow
• X. A Crisis
• XI. Making Friendship
• XII. Preparing for the Wedding
• XIII. Molly Gibson’s New Friends
• XIV. Molly Finds Herself Patronized
• XV. The New Mamma
• XVI. The Bride at Home
• XVII. Trouble at Hamley Hall
• XVIII. Mr. Osborne’s Secret
• XIX. Cynthia’s Arrival
• XX. Mrs. Gibson’s Visitors
• XXI. The Half-Sisters
• XXII. The Old Squire’s Troubles
• XXIII. Osborne Hamley Reviews his Position
• XXIV. Mrs. Gibson’s Little Dinner
• XXV. Hollingford in a Bustle
• XXVI. A Charity Ball
• XXVII. Father and Sons
• XXVIII. Rivalry
• XXIX. Bush-Fighting
• XXX. Old Ways and New Ways
• XXXI. A Passive Coquette
• XXXII. Coming Events
• XXXIII. Brightening Prospects
• XXXIV. A Lover’s Mistake
• XXXV. The Mother’s Manoeuvre
• XXXVI. Domestic Diplomacy
• XXXVII. A Fluke, and What Came of It
• XXXVIII. Mr. Kirkpatrick, Q.C.
• XXXIX. Secret Thoughts Ooze Out
• XL. Molly Gibson Breathes Freely
• XLI. Gathering Clouds
• XLII. The Storm Bursts
• XLIII. Cynthia’s Confession
• XLIV. Molly Gibson to the Rescue
• XLV. Confidences
• XLVI. Hollingford Gossips
• XLVII. Scandal and its Victims
• XLVIII. An Innocent Culprit
• XLIX. Molly Gibson Finds a Champion
• L. Cynthia at Bay
• LI. “Troubles Never Come Alone”
• LII. Squire Hamley’s Sorrow
• LIII. Unlooked-for Arrivals
• LIV. Molly Gibson’s Worth is Discovered
• LV. An Absent Lover Returns
• LVI. “Off with the Old Love, and on with the New”
• LVII. Bridal Visits and Adieux
• LVIII. Reviving Hopes and Brightening Prospects
• LIX. Molly Gibson at Hamley Hall
• LX. Roger Hamley’s Confession
• A Note About the Author
• A Note from the Publisher