
BY - ELIZABETH GASKELL
CHAPTER I - MONKSHAVEN
CHAPTER II - HOME FROM GREENLAND
CHAPTER III - BUYING A NEW CLOAK
CHAPTER IV - PHILIP HEPBURN
CHAPTER V - STORY OF THE PRESS-GANG
CHAPTER VI - THE SAILOR'S FUNERAL
CHAPTER VII - TETE-A-TETE.—THE WILL
CHAPTER VIII - ATTRACTION AND REPULSION
CHAPTER IX - THE SPECKSIONEER
In the mist‑shrouded town of Monkshaven, where the river Dee meets the restless sea, life clings to ancient stone walls and the rugged moorland beyond. The narrator paints a vivid picture of a place steeped in legend—a former royal landing spot, a crumbling castle, and a monastery that once watched over the cliffs. Against this stark yet beautiful backdrop, the everyday rhythms of fishermen, farmers, and the modest aristocracy unfold, hinting at hidden tensions between tradition and the emerging tide of trade.
Amid the narrow lanes and weather‑worn houses lives Sylvia, a young woman whose heart is as restless as the ocean that borders her town. She feels the pull of love and ambition, yet the rigid social hierarchies and the town’s quiet expectations press upon her choices. As whispers of new opportunities drift in with the sea breezes, Sylvia’s longing sets the stage for a tale of desire, duty, and the fragile hope of breaking free.
Language
en
Duration
~17 hours (1034K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Charles Aldarondo. HTML version by Al Haines.
Release date
2003-10-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1810–1865
A sharp-eyed Victorian storyteller, she wrote novels that bring industrial England and small-town life vividly to life. Her books balance social criticism with warmth, humor, and a deep sympathy for ordinary people.
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