Elizabeth Madox Roberts' novel, A Child Asleep, is set in rural Kentucky in the early twentieth century. It follows the story of a young girl, Mary, who is struggling to come to terms with her family's poverty and her own sense of displacement. As she grows up, Mary is forced to confront the harsh realities of life in a small town, including the death of her beloved father, the struggles of her mother to make ends meet, and the prejudice of the local community. Mary's journey is one of self-discovery and growth, as she learns to accept her circumstances and find her place in the world. Along the way, she meets a variety of characters, from the kindly old woman who takes her in to the mysterious stranger who appears in her dreams. As Mary's story unfolds, she discovers the power of friendship, the importance of family, and the strength of her own spirit. Ultimately, she learns to embrace her identity and find her own path in life.
By Elizabeth Madox Roberts · First published 1922 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Southern Gothic, Historical Fiction