The Christmas Hirelings: A Victorian Yuletide Tale of a Lonely Aristocrat, Temporary Child Companions, and Family Reconciliation - Softcover
Synopsis
The Christmas Hirelings is a late-Victorian Christmas novella in which the lonely, embittered Sir John Penlyon, persuaded to import children into his country house for the holidays, discovers that paid merriment may awaken buried affections and repair familial estrangement. Braddon writes with poised narrative economy, blending Dickensian seasonal benevolence with her own gift for suspense, coincidence, and emotional disclosure. The tale belongs to the Victorian Christmas-book tradition, yet its concern with commodified domesticity, performance, and the redemptive child gives the familiar fireside story a sharp social and psychological edge. Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1835–1915), famed for Lady Audley's Secret and the sensation novel, was also a versatile professional writer, editor, and former actress, alert to theatricality and the precariousness of middle-class respectability. Her long unconventional partnership with publisher John Maxwell, her experience of supporting family through authorship, and her lifelong interest in secrets, inheritance, and social judgment help explain this novella's mingling of sentiment and unease. Readers who admire Victorian domestic fiction, Christmas narratives, or women's popular writing will find The Christmas Hirelings both charming and revealing. It is a brief, deftly managed work whose warmth is never merely decorative, and whose festive reconciliation is grounded in Braddon's shrewd understanding of loneliness, pride, and the human need to be claimed.
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The Christmas Hirelings
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
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Condition: Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 56211803-20
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The Christmas Hirelings
Print on DemandSeller: AHA-BUCH GmbH, Einbeck, Germany
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Taschenbuch. Condition: Neu. nach der Bestellung gedruckt Neuware - Printed after ordering - In 'The Christmas Hirelings,' Mary Elizabeth Braddon deftly intertwines themes of redemption, societal expectation, and the warmth of human connection against the backdrop of a Victorian Christmas. The narrative centers on the reclusive Mr. McEwan, whose solitary life is transformed by the unexpected arrival of a group of 'hirelings'-an assemblage of children meant to enliven his holiday spirit. Braddon's signature gothic elements mingle with rich character development, creating a poignant exploration of loneliness and the transformative power of compassion. The prose is imbued with the festive spirit of the season, while also offering a layer of social commentary on class disparities and familial relationships characteristic of the Victorian era. Mary Elizabeth Braddon, a prolific author and pioneer of the sensation novel, drew upon her own experiences with heartbreak and social injustice in crafting this work. Known for her keen insight into the human psyche and her portrayal of complex female characters, Braddon's writing reflects a nuanced understanding of societal norms and the yearning for connection. As a trailblazer in a male-dominated literary environment, her contributions to the genre have left an indelible mark on Victorian literature. I wholeheartedly recommend 'The Christmas Hirelings' to readers who seek to immerse themselves in a rich tapestry of human emotion against a festive backdrop. This novella is not only a celebration of Christmas but also a profound meditation on the human condition, making it a timeless read that resonates across generations. Braddon's ability to blend humor and pathos will leave readers enchanted and reflective, ensuring that this tale lingers long after the final page. Seller Inventory # 9788028355708
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The Christmas Hirelings | A Victorian Yuletide Tale of a Lonely Aristocrat, Temporary Child Companions, and Family Reconciliation
Seller: preigu, Osnabrück, Germany
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Taschenbuch. Condition: Neu. The Christmas Hirelings | A Victorian Yuletide Tale of a Lonely Aristocrat, Temporary Child Companions, and Family Reconciliation | Mary Elizabeth Braddon | Taschenbuch | Englisch | 2023 | Sharp Ink | EAN 9788028355708 | Verantwortliche Person für die EU: Copycat s.r.o., 22, Holesovice, Schnirchova 662, 170 00 PRAGUE, TSCHECHIEN, kristoferpaetau[at]gmail[dot]com | Anbieter: preigu. Seller Inventory # 128620230