The Heart of Rachael

"The Heart of Rachael" by Kathleen Thompson Norris is a novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds in a well-to-do social setting, detailing the intricate lives and relationships of its characters, particularly focusing on Rachael Breckenridge, a woman navigating the complexities of marriage, motherhood, and societal expectations amidst the backdrop of a golf club in Long Island. The opening of the book sets a picturesque scene at the Long Island Country Club during a vibrant April day filled with players and social interactions. We are introduced to various characters, including Rachael and her stepdaughter Billy, and learn about Rachael's marriage to Clarence Breckenridge. The narrative hints at Rachael's struggles with her complacent husband, Clarence, and her responsibilities as a stepmother, compounded by the gossip and scrutiny of their social circle. This initial chapter establishes the backdrop of a glamorous yet unfulfilling world, marked by Rachael's inner conflict of wanting more from life than just social acceptance and domesticity. The complexity of her emotions foreshadows a deeper examination of her character and her relationships as the story progresses. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Kathleen Thompson Norris was an American novelist and newspaper columnist. She was one of the most widely read and highest paid female writers in the United States for nearly fifty years, from 1911 to 1959. Norris was a prolific writer who wrote 93 novels, many of which became best sellers. Her stories appeared frequently in the popular press of the day, including The Atlantic, The American Magazine, McClure's, Everybody's, Ladies' Home Journal, and Woman's Home Companion. Norris used her fiction to promote family and moralistic values, such as the sanctity of marriage, the nobility of motherhood, and the importance of service to others.