The Shadow of the Past

Name: The Shadow of the Past
Author: Ethel Mills

The story revolves around a woman who returns to her childhood home after her husband's death. She is haunted by memories of her past and struggles to come to terms with her new reality. Through flashbacks, the narrative explores her complicated relationships with her family members, particularly her mother, and uncovers secrets that have been hidden for years.

By Ethel Mills · First published 1915 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Romance · 36 chapters · 99,612 words

First lines

On the strip of yellow sand in the curve of the wall which separates the beach at Three Anchor Bay from the roadway above it two men sat playing cards in the blaze of the morning sunshine, which beat with untempered violence upon their uncovered heads, upon the hot sand that sloped gently to the rocky shore, and upon the long blue waves rolling slowly in from the Atlantic with the semblance of a succession of hooded serpents, rearing themselves with languid grace and folding over reluctantly, throwing off a stream of spray from their crests like the tail of some gigantic comet. Far out the sea was aglitter, save where it touched the horizon and lay mirror clear in the sensuous warmth, reflecting the light and colour from the sky.

What this Textopian page supports

The Shadow of the Past is listed on Textopian as a novel by Ethel Mills, dated 1915 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Ethel Mills
Date: 1915 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Romance, Psychological Fiction, Adventure
Length: 99,612 words
Structure: 36 chapters, 1,916 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Shadow of the Past by Ethel Mills
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Shadow of the Past?
How does this novel by Ethel Mills fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The book explores complex characters and themes of identity, morality, and personal growth, typical of literary fiction.
Drama — The narrative focuses on interpersonal relationships and emotional conflicts, characteristic of dramatic literature.
Romance — The developing relationship between the main characters suggests romantic elements throughout the story.
Psychological Fiction — The internal struggles and emotional depth of the characters indicate a psychological exploration of their motivations and conflicts.