Hermia Suydam

Atherton, Gertrude Franklin Horn, 1857-1948Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.2

Word count: 249K words
Chapters: 25

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Hermia Suydam by Gertrude Franklin Horn AthertonAuthor: Atherton, Gertrude Franklin Horn, 1857-1948,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Oct 10, 2015

Editor's review

One of Atherton's early representative novels, it centers on the title heroine and portrays with delicate strokes women's circumstances and views on marriage in late nineteenth-century American society. The author excels at psychological portrayal and scene-setting; the narrative moves at a measured pace, and the dialogue bears the distinctive marks of its era. As a public-domain e-book, it preserves the language of the original, making it suitable as close-reading material for readers studying American women's literature, local color fiction, or the social transformation of the late nineteenth century. While reading, note the tension between the heroine's emotional choices and social expectations, and how the author shapes character through everyday detail. Readers accustomed to fast-paced plotting may begin with the opening and key turning-point chapters, then return to the preparatory passages to appreciate the layers of character development.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers studying late nineteenth-century American women's literature, usable as textual analysis material
Literary enthusiasts interested in American local color fiction and stories set in San Francisco
Slow-reading readers who enjoy psychological depiction and finely developed character relationships
University teachers and students needing a public-domain English novel for course excerpts or book-club discussion

Not a good fit for

Readers of genre fiction who prefer strong plots and fast-paced narrative
Readers seeking a modern plain-language translation or an annotated edition
Beginning readers with low tolerance for nineteenth-century English style

Reading tips

Read the opening chapters first to grasp character relationships and the mood of the era, then proceed chapter by chapter; mark long psychological passages and revisit them later.
Keep pen and paper to note each important choice the heroine makes and her motives; after finishing, trace the arc of her changes for easier discussion.
For a course or book club, select two or three key scenes for comparative close reading, attending to the social discipline implied in the dialogue.
Read alongside excerpts from American women's novels of the same period, comparing narrative perspectives and treatments of marriage.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

What level of English is needed to read this book?

The original is late nineteenth-century English, with long sentences and period vocabulary. It suits readers with university-level English reading ability who can use a dictionary for unfamiliar words; those who only want the gist may read chapter summaries before tackling the original.

Do I need to know the author or historical background before reading?

No extensive preparation is necessary. Knowing late nineteenth-century American expectations of women's roles and views on marriage and property will make the characters' situations easier to understand; this background can be filled in gradually through notes or introductions as you read.

What are the main difficulties in reading this novel?

The main difficulties lie in language style and narrative pace: long sentences, psychological description, and period usage are frequent, and the plot does not pursue strong conflict. Set a reading quota by chapter, slow down in dense passages, and grasp character relationships before savoring detail.

Is it suitable as a text for a book club or class discussion?

Yes. The novel revolves around women's choices, social expectations, and emotional relationships, offering ample room for discussion. Select two or three key scenes in advance and design questions around character motives and period norms so participants can speak with reference to the text.

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About the author

Atherton, Gertrude Franklin Horn, 1857-1948 Author

Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton (1857–1948) was an American novelist, with twenty-six of her works held in this collection. Public information about her life is limited, and biographical details are difficult to verify. Judging from the works available, she excelled in both historical fiction and novels of social manners. The former includes The Conqueror: Being the True and Romantic Story of Alexander Hamilton, which reimagines a founding figure of the United States in a biographical mode. The latter, such as Patience Sparhawk and Her Times, The Californians, The Sisters-in-Law, Mrs. Balfame, and Black Oxen, draw on California life and contemporary urban society, with a sharp edge that often engages marriage, women's circumstances, and social class. The story collection The Bell in the Fog and Other Stories shows her command of Gothic and psychological suspense. Her narrative combines realism with romance and vivid characterization, making her a noteworthy figure in the study of American women's writing from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century.