The Absentee
The Absentee by Maria Edgeworth, published by Penguin in 1999, is a notable work in the realm of fiction and classics, spanning 277 pages. This novel presents a satirical examination of the Anglo-Irish family of an absentee landlord, focusing on Lord and Lady Clonbrony, who prioritize their life in London over their responsibilities to their Irish estates. Their son, Lord Colambre, embarks on a journey incognito to Ireland to assess the situation and uncover the origins of his cousin Grace, ultimately seeking to rectify the neglect of their estate.
Readers will find that The Absentee delves into themes of morality and social realism, highlighting the consequences of neglecting one’s duties. As Lord Colambre navigates the complexities of his family’s legacy, he discovers a solution that aims to foster prosperity and contentment across all levels of society. The edition includes an introduction by Heidi Thomson, which contextualizes the political and social themes present in the narrative, further enriching the reader’s understanding of Edgeworth’s influence on the development of the regional novel.
Official synopsis Publisher
Maria Edgeworth’s sparkling satire about the Anglo-Irish family of an absentee landlord is also a landmark novel of morality and social realism.
The Absentee centres around Lord and Lady Clonbrony, a couple more concerned with London society than their duties and responsibilities to those who live and work on their Irish estates. Recognizing this negligence, their son Lord Colambre goes incognito to Ireland to observe the situation and trace the origins of his beloved cousin Grace. To put matters straight he finds a solution that will bring prosperity and contentment to every level of society, including his own family.
In her Introduction, Heidi Thomson explores the political and social themes of the book and place it in its historical context. With Castle Rackrent and The Absentee Maria Edgeworth helped create the ‘regional’ novel, rich in atmosphere and local character, and influenced writers as disparate as Scott, Thackeray and Turgenev.
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