
By Oliver Wendell Holmes
TO MY READERS.
PREFACE TO THE NEW EDITION.
THE GUARDIAN ANGEL
CHAPTER I. AN ADVERTISEMENT.
CHAPTER II. GREAT EXCITEMENT
CHAPTER III. ANTECEDENTS.
CHAPTER IV. BYLES GRIDLEY, A. M.
CHAPTER V. THE TWINS.
CHAPTER VI. THE USE OF SPECTACLES.
A quiet, thought‑provoking tale opens by asking how much of who we are is inherited and how much we shape ourselves. Through a series of interlocking episodes, readers meet a cast of everyday people whose lives echo the habits, temperaments, and hidden impulses of their ancestors. The narrative gently pulls back the curtain on the subtle ways physical traits and moral inclinations travel down the family line, hinting at an unseen presence that watches over each generation.
As the story unfolds, the focus shifts to a particular family whose members wrestle with familiar dilemmas—loyalty, guilt, and the pull of old patterns. Their interactions reveal both the comfort and the burden of legacy, while a quiet, protective figure seems to intervene at pivotal moments. The first act sets the stage for a rich exploration of responsibility, identity, and the delicate balance between destiny and choice, inviting listeners to reflect on the forces that shape their own lives.
Language
en
Duration
~11 hours (690K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger
Release date
2004-09-29
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1809–1894
A lively voice in 19th-century America, he balanced a medical career with a gift for poetry, essays, and sharp humor. Best remembered as a member of the Fireside Poets, he also helped shape public debate with works that were both learned and warmly readable.
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by Oliver Wendell Holmes

by Oliver Wendell Holmes

by Oliver Wendell Holmes

by Oliver Wendell Holmes

by Oliver Wendell Holmes

by Oliver Wendell Holmes

by Oliver Wendell Holmes

by Oliver Wendell Holmes