Sweet Cicely — or Josiah Allen as a Politician

"Sweet Cicely — or Josiah Allen as a Politician" by Marietta Holley is a novel likely written during the late 19th century. The story centers on the character of Cicely and explores themes of love, family, and the struggles of navigating societal expectations and personal dilemmas, particularly in the realm of political involvement and maternal devotion. At the start of the novel, the opening introduces Josiah Allen and his wife, Samantha, who are excitedly expecting a visit from their niece Cicely, whom they adore. The narrative quickly draws readers into Cicely's past, recounting her delicate upbringing and deep connection with her late mother. As the couple reminisces about Cicely's beauty and the profound love they have for her, they reveal their concerns over her tumultuous relationship with her husband, Paul Slide, who battles alcohol addiction. The emotional complexity of their family ties is set against a backdrop highlighting societal issues related to alcoholism and women's rights, establishing an engaging foundation for the unfolding narrative about Cicely's attempts to safeguard her son from the same fate. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Marietta Holley, was an American humorist who used satire to comment on U.S. society and politics. Holley enjoyed a prolific writing career and was a bestselling author in the late 19th century, though she was largely forgotten by the time of her death. Her writing was frequently compared to that of Mark Twain and Edgar Nye. Along with Frances Miriam Whitcher and Ann S. Stephens, Holley is regarded as one of America's most significant early female humorists. Her work appealed to all classes of society. Her readers were scattered over the entire world, and included men and women of every station and grade. Her books were widely read in Europe.