Love Me Little, Love Me Long By: Charles Reade (1814-1884)
Love Me Little, Love Me Long by Charles Reade is a captivating novel that takes readers on a journey through a tumultuous love affair set in mid-19th century England. With a richly descriptive narrative and a cast of well-developed characters, Reade weaves a tale that explores the complexities of human emotions and the consequences of pursuing forbidden love. The story revolves around Charles Little, a young and ambitious lawyer, and Lucy Fountain, an innocent and vivacious young woman with a tragic past. Their paths cross when Charles is tasked with investigating Lucy's background in order to claim her inheritance. However, their initial professional relationship quickly evolves into romantic entanglement, as they find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. Reade skillfully delves into the themes of societal expectations, class divide, and moral dilemmas, making the story more than just a typical romance novel. The author presents a realistic portrayal of the rigid social norms and constraints of the era, which serve as major obstacles in the protagonists' path to happiness. The conflicts and challenges they face in their quest for love create a sense of tension and keep the readers engaged throughout the narrative. Moreover, Reade's attention to detail and meticulous historical research shine through in his vivid depiction of mid-19th century England. The atmospheric descriptions of the bustling city streets, elegant Victorian houses, and opulent society events transport the readers back in time and immerse them in the world of the characters. This attention to setting adds depth and authenticity to the story, enhancing the overall reading experience. While the plot is primarily driven by the evolving relationship between Charles and Lucy, Love Me Little, Love Me Long also features a range of secondary characters who play significant roles in the development of the story. From Lucy's adoptive family to Charles' loyal friends and fellow lawyers, each character is uniquely crafted with their own motivations and desires, adding a layer of complexity to the narrative. However, despite its strengths, Love Me Little, Love Me Long does have moments where the pacing slows down, particularly in some of the lengthy dialogue exchanges. Reade's frequent diversions into social commentary and exposition occasionally detract from the overall momentum of the narrative. Nonetheless, these detractions are overshadowed by the compelling storyline and the memorable characters who keep the readers invested. In conclusion, Love Me Little, Love Me Long is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged novel that explores the complexities of love against the social backdrop of Victorian England. Charles Reade's characterization, atmospheric descriptions, and attention to historical detail make this book a worthwhile read for fans of period dramas and romance. Despite minor pacing issues, the novel ultimately delivers a satisfying and poignant examination of love's ability to defy societal norms and transcend barriers. First Page: Love Me Little, Love Me Long by Charles Reade PREFACE SHOULD these characters, imbedded in carpet incidents, interest the public at all, they will probably reappear in more potent scenes. This design, which I may never live to execute, is, I fear, the only excuse I can at present offer for some pages, forming the twelfth chapter of this volume. CHAPTER I. NEARLY a quarter of a century ago, Lucy Fountain, a young lady of beauty and distinction, was, by the death of her mother, her sole surviving parent, left in the hands of her two trustees, Edward Fountain, Esq., of Font Abbey, and Mr. Bazalgette, a merchant whose wife was Mrs. Fountain's half sister. They agreed to lighten the burden by dividing it. She should spend half the year with each trustee in turn, until marriage should take her off their hands. Our mild tale begins in Mr. Bazalgette's own house, two years after the date of that arrangement. The chit chat must be your main clue to the characters. In life it is the same. Men and women won't come to you ticketed, or explanation in hand. "Lucy, you are a great comfort in a house; it is so nice to have some one to pour out one's heart to; my husband is no use at all." "Aunt Bazalgette!" "In that way. You listen to my faded illusions, to the aspirations of a nature too finely organized, ah! to find its happiness in this rough, selfish world... Continue reading book >>

Love Me Little, Love Me Long By: Charles Reade (1814-1884)

Love Me Little, Love Me Long by Charles Reade is a captivating novel that takes readers on a journey through a tumultuous love affair set in mid-19th century England. With a richly descriptive narrative and a cast of well-developed characters, Reade weaves a tale that explores the complexities of human emotions and the consequences of pursuing forbidden love.

The story revolves around Charles Little, a young and ambitious lawyer, and Lucy Fountain, an innocent and vivacious young woman with a tragic past. Their paths cross when Charles is tasked with investigating Lucy's background in order to claim her inheritance. However, their initial professional relationship quickly evolves into romantic entanglement, as they find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other.

Reade skillfully delves into the themes of societal expectations, class divide, and moral dilemmas, making the story more than just a typical romance novel. The author presents a realistic portrayal of the rigid social norms and constraints of the era, which serve as major obstacles in the protagonists' path to happiness. The conflicts and challenges they face in their quest for love create a sense of tension and keep the readers engaged throughout the narrative.

Moreover, Reade's attention to detail and meticulous historical research shine through in his vivid depiction of mid-19th century England. The atmospheric descriptions of the bustling city streets, elegant Victorian houses, and opulent society events transport the readers back in time and immerse them in the world of the characters. This attention to setting adds depth and authenticity to the story, enhancing the overall reading experience.

While the plot is primarily driven by the evolving relationship between Charles and Lucy, Love Me Little, Love Me Long also features a range of secondary characters who play significant roles in the development of the story. From Lucy's adoptive family to Charles' loyal friends and fellow lawyers, each character is uniquely crafted with their own motivations and desires, adding a layer of complexity to the narrative.

However, despite its strengths, Love Me Little, Love Me Long does have moments where the pacing slows down, particularly in some of the lengthy dialogue exchanges. Reade's frequent diversions into social commentary and exposition occasionally detract from the overall momentum of the narrative. Nonetheless, these detractions are overshadowed by the compelling storyline and the memorable characters who keep the readers invested.

In conclusion, Love Me Little, Love Me Long is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged novel that explores the complexities of love against the social backdrop of Victorian England. Charles Reade's characterization, atmospheric descriptions, and attention to historical detail make this book a worthwhile read for fans of period dramas and romance. Despite minor pacing issues, the novel ultimately delivers a satisfying and poignant examination of love's ability to defy societal norms and transcend barriers.

First Page:

Love Me Little, Love Me Long

by Charles Reade

PREFACE

SHOULD these characters, imbedded in carpet incidents, interest the public at all, they will probably reappear in more potent scenes. This design, which I may never live to execute, is, I fear, the only excuse I can at present offer for some pages, forming the twelfth chapter of this volume.

CHAPTER I.

NEARLY a quarter of a century ago, Lucy Fountain, a young lady of beauty and distinction, was, by the death of her mother, her sole surviving parent, left in the hands of her two trustees, Edward Fountain, Esq., of Font Abbey, and Mr. Bazalgette, a merchant whose wife was Mrs. Fountain's half sister.

They agreed to lighten the burden by dividing it. She should spend half the year with each trustee in turn, until marriage should take her off their hands.

Our mild tale begins in Mr. Bazalgette's own house, two years after the date of that arrangement.

The chit chat must be your main clue to the characters. In life it is the same. Men and women won't come to you ticketed, or explanation in hand.

"Lucy, you are a great comfort in a house; it is so nice to have some one to pour out one's heart to; my husband is no use at all."

"Aunt Bazalgette!"

"In that way. You listen to my faded illusions, to the aspirations of a nature too finely organized, ah! to find its happiness in this rough, selfish world... Continue reading book >>

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