The Inheritance
The Inheritance by Louisa May Alcott, published by Penguin in February 1998, is a newly edited edition comprising 208 pages. This work, written when Alcott was just 17, presents a glimpse into the early stages of her literary career. Set in an English country manor, the story follows Edith Adelon, an Italian orphan brought to England by Lord Hamilton to serve as a companion for his children. The narrative intertwines themes of love and courtesy with elements of depravity and dishonor, ultimately allowing virtue to triumph through the influence of a secret inheritance.
Readers will find a narrative that echoes the charm of Jane Austen’s novels, exploring family life and the complexities of social dynamics. The introduction by Joel Myerson and Daniel Shealy discusses the discovery of Alcott’s manuscript draft and the literary and personal influences that shaped this novel. This edition not only highlights Alcott’s early talent but also serves as a precursor to her later works, making it a significant addition to the canon of classic literature.
Official synopsis Publisher
Her recently discovered first novel, The Inheritance, written when Alcott was just 17, offers readers a fascinating look at the birth of a remarkable career.
The Inheritance, set in an English country manor, is the story of Edith Adelon, an Italian orphan brought to England by Lord Hamilton as a companion for his children. With a charm reminiscent of Jane Austen’s novels, Alcott’s plot sets love and courtesy against depravity and dishonor — and with the help of a secret inheritance, allows virtue to prevail.In their Introduction, Joel Myerson and Daniel Shealy relate their fortuitous discovery of Alcott’s manuscript draft of The Inheritance (preserved at the Houghton Library of Harvard). They explore the forces — both literary and personal — that shaped the novel, and study how it foreshadowed Alcott’s later work.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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