A Noble Life by Dinah Mulock (1859)

Name: A Noble Life
Author: Dinah Mulock

The narrative follows the life of Charles Edward Stuart Montgomerie, the last Earl of Cairnforth, who is born into tragedy. His father drowns shortly before his birth, leaving him motherless as well, as his mother dies shortly after giving birth. The infant inherits the title and estate but is born with severe physical deformities, raising concerns about his future. The local minister, Mr. Cardross, and Mr. Menteith, the earl's legal guardian, grapple with the implications of the child's condition and the responsibilities that come with it. They decide to keep the child's existence and health status hidden from the outside world, particularly from distant relatives who might seek to claim the estate. The narrative explores themes of duty, compassion, and the moral dilemmas surrounding the care of a child deemed unfit for life. As the earl is taken to Edinburgh for better care, the community's curiosity fades, and the story of the noble family becomes a distant memory. The tale reflects on the fragility of life, the weight of legacy, and the complexities of human compassion in the face of suffering. Ultimately, it poses questions about the value of life and the responsibilities of those who hold power and privilege.

By Dinah Mulock · First published 1859 · Genre: Fiction, Drama, Romance · 17 chapters · 81,561 words

First lines

Many years ago, how many need not be recorded, there lived in his ancestral castle, in the far north of Scotland, the last Earl of Cairnforth.

You will not find his name in "Lodge's Peerage," for, as I say, he was the last earl, and with him the title became extinct. It had been borne for centuries by many noble and gallant men, who had lived worthily or died bravely. But I think among what we call "heroic" lives -- lives the story of which touches us with something higher than pity, and deeper than love -- there never was any of his race who left behind a history more truly heroic than he.

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A Noble Life is listed on Textopian as a novel by Dinah Mulock, dated 1859 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Dinah Mulock
Date: 1859 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fiction, Drama, Romance, Historical Fiction
Length: 81,561 words
Structure: 17 chapters, 1,321 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Fiction — The book 'A Noble Life' is a made-up story, typically considered a work of fiction, as it does not associate with real events or people.
Drama — 'A Noble Life' can also be characterized as a drama genre due to the serious situations, emotional conflicts and intense character development explored in the storyline.
Romance — There are romantic relationships and courtship involved in 'A Noble Life', which justifies the Romance genre.
Historical Fiction — 'A Noble Life' incorporates historical context and events in the plot, which validates the Historical Fiction genre.