Not Without Thorns

"Not Without Thorns" by Mrs. Molesworth is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the lives of young characters navigating the complexities of social interactions and familial ties in a manufacturing town named Wareborough. The focus seems to be on themes of youth, beauty, and the pursuit of happiness amidst societal expectations. The opening of the novel introduces a foggy evening in December, setting a dreary atmosphere in Wareborough. A young man, Captain Chancellor, arrives at Barnwood Terrace, where he meets various characters including the intriguing and pretty Eugenia Laurence. As the story unfolds, it hints at budding relationships and social dynamics, especially between Captain Chancellor and Eugenia, along with the interactions within a gathering characterized by the intricacies of young love and the challenges of rising social tensions. The characters' conversations and encounters suggest an exploration of their inner feelings, mirroring the broader societal pressures faced in their 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.