I read this book primarily because it is a classic from the days when the criterion for writing a novel wasn't controlled by the Master's of Fine Arts writing programs. Yeah, she breaks a lot of today's writing rules but she is unconscious of her mistakes and that made it a joy to read. My main complaint is that she is overly sentimental in her plot line and characters; however, the insights gained from how people 100 and more years ago thought about gender roles is fascinating. A mother's main goal of the time is to make sure that her head strong daughter marry for security and not for love. Dating relationships were decided upon by the parents and were to lead to marriage. I cringe to think who my parents would have married me off to! The ghost in the story seems more of an after thought even though it's role is highly important. It was also definitely refreshing in light of today's drama fest, back stabbing, and lack of integrity of characters on TV to experience people of integrity who do not betray secrets even when their future is compromised by those secrets.

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