
In the quiet hamlet of Aberleigh, a young woman whose beauty seems almost mythic draws the admiration of every neighbor. Hannah Colson moves through her village surrounded by adoring suitors, doting relatives, and the lingering affection of a mother who has raised her with gentle indulgence. Yet beneath the flutter of compliments lies a world of expectations, family obligations, and the subtle pressures of a community that has long treated her as its prized treasure.
As Hannah navigates friendships—most notably with the sensible school‑mate Lucy Meadows—she begins to sense the gap between the flattering gaze of the village and the honest counsel she truly needs. The story follows her early steps toward self‑understanding, exploring how a simple life can become tangled with pride, longing, and the desire to discover who she might become beyond the role of “the beauty.” Listeners will find a tender portrait of rural life, family ties, and the quiet courage required to step out of a portrait’s frame.
Language
en
Duration
~26 minutes (25K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger
Release date
2007-10-02
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1787–1855
Best known for the much-loved sketches collected in Our Village, this English writer brought everyday rural life vividly onto the page. She also wrote poems, novels, and plays, earning a warm place in 19th-century literary life.
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