The Rhymer

By Allan McAulay

Book Overview

The rhymer follows a family constrained by expectations and limited means, focusing on the internal tensions that arise when appearance and duty outweigh genuine connection. At its center is a household with seven unmarried daughters, overseen by a father whose financial difficulties and a mother s social aspirations heighten the pressure to secure marriages for their children. The story opens with a subtle portrayal of this domestic challenge, as anticipation builds over the visit of a wealthy suitor. The eldest daughter is framed as practical and gentle, yet ensnared in the collision between personal hope and her mother s persistent ambition. The setting and tone suggest a delicate balance between comedy and anxiety, revealing how marriage, in this world, serves more as a transaction than a union of affection. With each conversation and gesture, the narrative draws attention to the weight of societal roles and how women s futures are negotiated through family interests. Beneath the apparent lightness, the novel poses larger questions about agency, love, and social duty, establishing a quiet yet perceptive critique of conventional domestic ideals.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9371814284
• ISBN13: 9789371814287
• Release Date: July 2025
• Publisher: Double 9 Books
• Length: 212 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 5.5" x 8.5"