Evan Harrington — Volume 1

"Evan Harrington — Volume 1" by George Meredith is a novel written in the late 19th century. The narrative introduces readers to the life and legacy of Mr. Melchisedec Harrington, a well-liked but financially irresponsible tailor in the town of Lymport-on-the-Sea, who has recently passed away. The story revolves around his family, particularly focusing on the expectations placed upon his son, Evan, who is now tasked with both confronting the debts left behind by his father and navigating the social pressures of his family's history and standing. At the start of the work, the community of Lymport reacts to the death of Melchisedec Harrington, a figure seen as both a notorious tradesman and a beloved character. Through a series of conversations among townsfolk, we learn of Mr. Harrington's larger-than-life personality, his debts, and the mixed feelings of admiration and disdain that accompany his demise. The opening also establishes the family dynamic, showcasing Mrs. Harrington and the immediate challenges facing Evan. As the narrative unfolds, Evan's struggle with familial obligation, personal aspirations, and societal perceptions will likely become central themes as he attempts to forge his own path in a world deeply affected by the shadow of his father's legacy. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

George Meredith was an English novelist and poet of the Victorian era. At first, his focus was poetry, influenced by John Keats among others, but Meredith gradually established a reputation as a novelist. The Ordeal of Richard Feverel (1859) briefly scandalised Victorian literary circles. Of his later novels, the most enduring is The Egoist (1879), though in his lifetime his greatest success was Diana of the Crossways (1885). His novels were innovative in their attention to characters' psychology, and also portrayed social change. His style, in both poetry and prose, was noted for its syntactic complexity; Oscar Wilde likened it to "chaos illumined by brilliant flashes of lightning". Meredith was an encourager of other novelists, as well as an influence on them; among those to benefit were Robert Louis Stevenson and George Gissing. Meredith was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature seven times.