Cecilia by F. Marion Crawford (1902)

Name: Cecilia
Author: F. Marion Crawford

The story revolves around a young and beautiful opera singer who becomes embroiled in a tragic love affair with a wealthy and married man. The novel explores themes of love, morality, and social class as the protagonist navigates her complicated relationships and ultimately faces a devastating fate.

By F. Marion Crawford · First published 1902 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Psychological Fiction · 28 chapters · 126,324 words

First lines

Two men were sitting side by side on a stone bench in the forgotten garden of the Arcadian Society, in Rome; and it was in early spring, not long ago. Few people, Romans or strangers, ever find their way to that lonely and beautiful spot beyond the Tiber, niched in a hollow of the Janiculum below San Pietro in Montorio, where Beatrice Cenci sleeps. The Arcadians were men and women who loved poetry in an artificial time, took names of shepherds and shepherdesses, rhymed as best they could, met in pleasant places to recite their verses, and played that the world was young, and gentle, and sweet, and unpoisoned, just when it had declined to one of its recurring periods of vicious old age. The Society did not die with its times, and it still exists, less sprightly, less ready to mask in pastorals, but rhyming, meeting, and reciting verses now and then, in the old manner, though rarely in the old haunts.

What this Textopian page supports

Cecilia is listed on Textopian as a novel by F. Marion Crawford, dated 1902 CE.

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

Work type: Novel
Author: F. Marion Crawford
Date: 1902 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Psychological Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction
Length: 126,324 words
Structure: 28 chapters, 2,410 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Cecilia by F. Marion Crawford
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 Cecilia?
How does this novel by F. Marion Crawford 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, focusing on personal struggles and moral dilemmas.
Drama — The narrative centers around intense emotional conflicts and interpersonal relationships.
Psychological Fiction — The characters' internal thoughts and motivations are deeply examined, particularly regarding honor and despair.
Romance — There are underlying romantic tensions and societal expectations influencing character decisions.