The Ordeal: A Mountain Romance of Tennessee

"The Ordeal: A Mountain Romance of Tennessee" by Charles Egbert Craddock is a novel written in the early 20th century. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains, it intricately weaves themes of love, regret, and the complexities of human relationships. Central to the narrative are Edward Briscoe and his cousin Julian Bayne, whose past connection with the alluring Lillian Royston brings tension and unresolved feelings to the forefront. The opening of the novel introduces us to a serene yet somber atmosphere in the Briscoe's mountain bungalow, highlighting the unsettling sense of solitude and the anticipation of autumnal splendor. Edward Briscoe is nervously awaiting his cousin Julian, who arrives unexpectedly, triggering an awkward conversation about a shared past with Lillian, his now-widowed former fiancée. The tension escalates as both men navigate their feelings surrounding Lillian’s presence during this season of reflection, foreshadowing emotional confrontations that arise from their intertwined histories. As their discussion unfolds, Briscoe reveals that Lillian is visiting, bringing an unavoidable nostalgia and unease that permeates the environment, setting the stage for the forthcoming drama. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Mary Noailles Murfree was an American author of novels and short stories who wrote under the pen name Charles Egbert Craddock. She is considered by many to be Appalachia's first significant female writer and her work a necessity for the study of Appalachian literature, although a number of characters in her work reinforce negative stereotypes about the region. She has been favorably compared to Bret Harte and Sarah Orne Jewett, creating post-Civil War American local-color literature.