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Shirley

By Charlotte Brontë
Series: Oxford World's Classics
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Shirley is Charlotte Brontë's only historical novel, set during the Napoleonic Wars amidst social unrest in Yorkshire's woollen district. It follows mill-owner Robert Moore, who faces fierce opposition from workers as he introduces new machinery. Torn between love and duty, Robert considers marrying the wealthy Shirley Keeldar, while his affections lie with his cousin Caroline. The novel explores the friendship between Shirley and Caroline, contrasting their desires and struggles against a backdrop of economic hardship and societal change.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$3200

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This novel will appeal to readers interested in classic literature, historical fiction, and social commentary from the early 19th century. Fans of Charlotte Brontë's character-driven storytelling and those curious about the impact of industrialisation on English society will find much to appreciate.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Shirley is Charlotte Brontë's only historical novel and her most topical one. The introduction to this new edition considers its autobiographical overtones as well as its social context, and includes revised notes and bibliography.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

'You expected bread, and you have got a stone; break your teeth on it, and don't shriek...you will have learned the great lesson how to endure without a sob.'

Shirley is Charlotte Brontë's only historical novel and her most topical one. Written at a time of social unrest, it is set during the period of the Napoleonic Wars, when economic hardship led to riots in the woollen district of Yorkshire. A mill-owner, Robert Moore, is determined to introduce new machinery despite fierce opposition from his workers; he ignores their suffering, and puts his own life at risk.

Robert sees marriage to the wealthy Shirley Keeldar as the solution to his difficulties, but he loves his cousin Caroline. She suffers misery and frustration, and Shirley has her own ideas about the man she will choose to marry. The friendship between the two women, and the contrast between their situations, is at the heart of this compelling novel, which is suffused with Brontë's deep yearning for an earlier time.

ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780199540808

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 08 May 2008

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Oxford University Press

Contributors:

  • Edited by Margaret Smith
  • Edited by Herbert Rosengarten
  • Introduction by Janet Gezari

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 422g

Pages: 624

Collections

Charlotte Brontë Charlotte Brontë Classic Fiction Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Series: Oxford World's Classics

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