Christine

"Christine" by Alice Cholmondeley is a novel written during the early 20th century. The book explores the life and thoughts of its titular character, Christine, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery through her pursuit of music in pre-World War I Germany, while also reflecting on her close relationship with her mother. The narrative captures the complexities of familial bonds and the impending social and political upheaval during that time. The opening of "Christine" introduces us to the protagonist's world through a poignant letter from her mother, revealing that Christine has just died from pneumonia, and the letters she wrote before her death offer insight into her vibrant spirit. From Berlin, Christine communicates her excitement about pursuing her music studies and her affection for her mother, while navigating the challenges of living in a foreign country and grappling with the disdainful attitudes towards her English identity. The letters convey her aspirations, insecurities, and interactions with her German surroundings, hinting at a tension beneath the surface as Europe stands on the brink of war. Throughout, there is a palpable sense of longing for home and family, creating an emotional backdrop for Christine's experiences. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Elizabeth von Arnim, born Mary Annette Beauchamp, was an English novelist. Born in Australia, she married a German aristocrat, and her earliest works are set in Germany. Her first marriage made her Countess von Arnim-Schlagenthin and her second Elizabeth Russell, Countess Russell. After her first husband's death, she had a three-year affair with the writer H. G. Wells, then later married Frank Russell, elder brother of the Nobel prize-winner and philosopher Bertrand Russell. She was a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield. Though known in early life as May, her first book introduced her to readers as Elizabeth, which she eventually became to friends and finally to family. Her writings are ascribed to Elizabeth von Arnim. She used the pseudonym Alice Cholmondeley for only one novel, Christine, published in 1917.