Gretchen: A Novel

"Gretchen: A Novel" by Mary Jane Holmes is a work of fiction likely written in the late 19th century. The narrative introduces readers to the lives of the Tracy family, particularly focusing on the brothers Frank and Arthur Tracy, as well as their social milieu in Shannondale, a quiet town poised for intrigue and drama. Central to the story is the return of Arthur Tracy from abroad, which sets off a series of events that will unravel the dynamics of family, wealth, and societal expectations. At the start of the novel, a telegram from Arthur announces his arrival, prompting a mix of excitement and dread for his brother Frank, who has been living in Arthur's lavish home, Tracy Park, and may face the loss of his comfortable life. The opening chapters delve into Frank's anxieties about his brother's return, the preparations for a grand party, and the interplay between social class and familial ties, revealing a complex web of relationships that foreshadow conflicts and challenges. As characters like Frank's wife, Dolly, begin to grapple with the implications of Arthur's homecoming, readers are drawn into a rich tapestry of emotions and societal commentary that sets the stage for a captivating narrative. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Mary Jane Holmes was an American author who published 39 novels, as well as short stories. Her first novel sold 250,000 copies; and she had total sales of 2 million books in her lifetime, second only to Harriet Beecher Stowe. Her books included: "Tempest and Sunshine" (1854), "English Orphans" (1855), "Homestead on the Hillside" (1855), "Lena Rivers" (1856), "Meadow Brook" (1857), "Dora Deane" (1858), "Cousin Maude" (1860), "Marian Gray" 186^, "Hugh Worthington" (1864), "Cameron Vide" (1867). "Rose Mather" (1868), "Ethelyn’s Mistake" (1869), "Edna Browning" (1872), "Mildred" (1877), "Forest House" (1879), "Daisy Thornton," "Queenie Hetherton" (1883), "Christmas Stories" (1884), "Bessie's Fortune" (1885). "Gretchen" (1887), "Marguerite" (1891).