Hathercourt

"Hathercourt" by Mrs. Molesworth is a novel written in the late 19th century. The book revolves around the lives of the Western sisters, particularly focusing on Mary and her elder sister Lilias, as they navigate their family's rural life and the emotional landscape of their domestic world. Set against the backdrop of Hathercourt Church and Rectory, it explores themes of familial bonds, social expectations, and personal aspirations. The opening of "Hathercourt" introduces us to Mary Western, who finds herself daydreaming during the Sunday church service. Despite the beauty that once adorned the Hathercourt Church, the atmosphere now seems heavy and mundane. The narrative reveals the burdens placed on the Western sisters as they fulfill their roles within their large family, highlighting Mary's contemplative nature. The arrival of strangers at church stirs curiosity and excitement within Mary and Lilias, setting the stage for potential new acquaintances and changes in their routine lives. As their thoughts shift towards the new faces and their own societal limitations, the intricate dynamics of family life and personal identity begin to surface, promising a rich exploration of life in their insular world. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Mary Louisa Molesworth, née Stewart was an English writer of children's stories who wrote for children under the name of Mrs Molesworth. Her first novels, for adult readers, Lover and Husband (1869) to Cicely (1874), appeared under the pseudonym of Ennis Graham. Her name occasionally appears in print as M. L. S. Molesworth.