Wrecked in Port: A Novel

"Wrecked in Port: A Novel" by Edmund Yates is a novel written in the late 19th century. It explores themes of social class, ambition, and personal struggle alongside the insights of complex characters navigating through life's adversities. The narrative begins with the death of Reverend James Ashurst, painting a poignant portrait of his family's plight, particularly focusing on his determined daughter, Marian, who becomes the story's central figure. The opening of the novel introduces a community mourning the death of Reverend Ashurst and follows the conversations of schoolboys discussing the implications of their headmaster’s illness and potential death. It establishes the somber atmosphere surrounding the Ashurst family through Marian's reflections on her father's failing health and the stark reality of their financial struggles, leading to his untimely death. As the narrative shifts to Marian's perspective, the reader becomes aware of her fierce intellect and ambition, as well as her understanding of their dire circumstances. She grapples with the loss, her family's socioeconomic challenges, and the tensions of their social standing amid the wealthier residents of Helmingham, setting the stage for her future choices and alliances. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Edmund Hodgson Yates was a British journalist, novelist and dramatist.