| Author |
Le Fanu, Joseph Sheridan, 1814-1873 |
| Title |
The House by the Church-Yard
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 75.1 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
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| Credits |
E-text prepared by Ted Garvin, Janet Blenkinship, and Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreaders Europe
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| Summary |
"The House by the Church-Yard" by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story is set in the village of Chapelizod, near Dublin, about a hundred years prior to its narration and unfolds through the experiences of various characters, including the rector, Doctor Walsingham, and a mysterious newcomer, Mr. Mervyn. Themes of death, mystery, and supernatural elements seem woven into the rich tapestry of village life, while the text hints at various social intrigues and local gossip that shape the interactions and events. At the start of the novel, the narrator reflects on the changes that have taken place in Chapelizod over the past century, contrasting past joys with the present reality of a mechanized world. The opening chapters introduce the characters and settings, beginning with a funeral for an old woman, Mrs. Darby, highlighting local customs and beliefs. The curiosity of the villagers is piqued when a skull is uncovered at the gravesite, which leads to speculation about its origin and the events surrounding the deceased. The narrative then shifts focus to Mervyn, a mysterious figure whose presence arouses interest and suspicion, setting the stage for unfolding stories of intrigue and connection between the villagers. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
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| Subject |
Ireland -- Social life and customs -- 18th century -- Fiction
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| Subject |
Country life -- Ireland -- Fiction
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
17769 |
| Release Date |
Feb 15, 2006 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
225 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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