The Story of Bessie Costrell

The Story of Bessie Costrell

By Humphry Mrs. Ward
Michael Caine
Listen with Sir Michael Caine™ and 1,000+ voices
Length2h 34m

About this audiobook

In "The Story of Bessie Costrell," Mrs. Humphry Ward delves into the intricate emotional landscape of her protagonist, Bessie, a village woman navigating love, social expectations, and personal tragedy set against the backdrop of rural England in the late 19th century. The novel is characterized by its lyrical prose and keen psychological insight, capturing the struggles of a working-class woman whose life is marked by both resilience and despair. Ward's nuanced exploration of class dynamics, women's roles, and moral dilemmas positions the narrative within the broader context of Edwardian literature, reflecting the tensions and transitions of the era while also adopting elements of realism that provide an authentic immersion into Bessie's world. Ward, a prominent novelist and social activist, was deeply influenced by her Victorian upbringing and her keen awareness of social reform. Her literary career was marked by her commitment to highlighting the challenges faced by women, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Inspired by her experiences and observations of societal structures, she crafted "The Story of Bessie Costrell" to illuminate the complexities of rural life and the often-unheard voices of women. For readers intrigued by the intersection of gender, class, and personal identity, this novel offers a profound exploration of human experience and societal critique. Ward's deft characterizations and evocative setting will resonate with anyone seeking a richer understanding of historical women's struggles, making it an essential read for both literary enthusiasts and scholars alike.

Audiobook details

Rating★★★★ 3.6 (29)
Includes LibraryThing, Amazon, Goodreads
GenreGeneral Fiction
Length2 hrs 34 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateSep 16, 2022
LanguageEnglish

Table of contents

1Introduction
5SCENE III
2BOSTON AND NEW YORK HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY MDCCCCX
6SCENE IV
3SCENE I
7SCENE V
4SCENE II

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