Queenie Hetherton

"Queenie Hetherton" by Mary Jane Holmes is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story centers around the character of Reinette Hetherton, a young girl who is returning to America with her father, Frederick Hetherton, after living abroad for many years. As they arrive in Merrivale, they navigate the complexities of their past and the expectations of the people in their new environment, setting the stage for drama and personal discovery. The opening portion introduces key themes and characters against the backdrop of the quaint town of Merrivale, where the return of Frederick and Reinette Hetherton stirs up excitement and curiosity. The narrative begins with Frederick's letter to Arthur Beresford, detailing their upcoming return and the preparations being made for Reinette's arrival. There is a palpable sense of anticipation and change as various townsfolk discuss the implications of the Hethertons' return and express their opinions about the lovely but enigmatic Reinette. The character interactions hint at deeper family histories and social dynamics that will likely unfold as the story progresses, particularly surrounding Reinette's unique identity and how she will fit into the society of Merrivale. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Mary Jane Holmes was an American author who published 39 novels, as well as short stories. Her first novel sold 250,000 copies; and she had total sales of 2 million books in her lifetime, second only to Harriet Beecher Stowe. Her books included: "Tempest and Sunshine" (1854), "English Orphans" (1855), "Homestead on the Hillside" (1855), "Lena Rivers" (1856), "Meadow Brook" (1857), "Dora Deane" (1858), "Cousin Maude" (1860), "Marian Gray" 186^, "Hugh Worthington" (1864), "Cameron Vide" (1867). "Rose Mather" (1868), "Ethelyn’s Mistake" (1869), "Edna Browning" (1872), "Mildred" (1877), "Forest House" (1879), "Daisy Thornton," "Queenie Hetherton" (1883), "Christmas Stories" (1884), "Bessie's Fortune" (1885). "Gretchen" (1887), "Marguerite" (1891).