A Simple Story

By Elizabeth Inchbald, Mrs. Inchbald, Mrs Inchbald, et al.

Book Overview

"A Simple Story" by Mrs. Inchbald offers a compelling glimpse into 18th-century England, exploring themes of social class, guardianship, and romance. This classic work of literature delves into the complex relationship between a guardian and ward, navigating the delicate power dynamics and societal expectations of the time.

The novel provides a poignant depiction of orphans and their place within the rigid social hierarchy of the era. Inchbald's storytelling weaves a timeless tale of love and societal constraint, exploring the intricacies of human connection against the backdrop of a bygone era.

Meticulously prepared for print republication, this edition allows readers to rediscover this enduring story and immerse themselves in a world of captivating characters and enduring themes. "A Simple Story" remains a testament to the power of classic literature, offering both engaging narrative and insightful social commentary.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1023161168
• ISBN13: 9781023161169
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Anson Street Press
• Length: 294 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Worth reading (SPOILERS)

A Simple Story could almost be read as two separate novels. The first tells the story of the beautiful young heiress, Miss Milner, who falls in love with her inflexibly principled guardian, Mr. Dorriforth (later Lord Elmwood). There are numerous bars to their union - the foremost being that he is a Catholic priest, who has taken a vow of celibacy, and that she is a coquette whose behaviour repeatedly offends his strict moral code. By the end of Volume II, all obstacles preventing their marriage have been removed, and we are led to assume they will live happily ever after. However, as Volume III opens - seventeen years later - we learn they have not lived happily ever after. Lady Elmwood (nee Milner) is now dying, a fallen woman, and Lord Elmwood has long since cast off both her and their daughter Matilda. Volumes III and IV tell the story of how the blameless Matilda tries to win back her implacable father's affection, and gains the heart of his nephew and heir, the lovable Mr. Rushbrook. Though the characters in A Simple Story sometimes behave in ways that, to my mind, strain credulity, it is well-written, and a more enjoyable read than many other novels written before Jane Austen came along.

Excellently written novel

Inchbald has a great talent with words. This books is insightful, provocative and dramatic. Inchbald talks about love with such candidness and frankness that while your reading you can't help but feel an overflowing of emotions toward the main characters. Very satisfying ending the tidies up all the problems throughout the book.

A book of its time, fine characterization and insight

This is no "Gone With the Wind" -- everybody gets what they deserve, according to the strictest moral code, and some get it with interest.However, Inchbald excels at characterization -- she unites vanity and passion in one character, and still has a believable personality to show the reader -- and she can show a character in change, without losing the character's integrity. Although the tragedy she creates has a moral "told you so" aspect hard for modern readers to take, it also has the pathetic grandeur of the great tragedies -- small, pointless faults and actions which lead to irreversible pain. The humanity of Inchbald's insight is what makes this book one of my favorites among the 18th century women writers.