The Late Mrs Null

Name: The Late Mrs Null
Author: Frank R. Stockton

A young girl's life is turned upside down when her mother dies and she must live with a series of eccentric relatives who are more concerned with their own interests than with her well-being. The story explores themes of loneliness, abandonment, and the complexities of family relationships as the protagonist navigates this new and often hostile environment. Through its portrayal of the girl's struggles to find stability and love in a world that seems determined to thwart her, the narrative raises questions about the nature of family, responsibility, and the human condition.

By Frank R. Stockton · First published 1869 · Genre: Romance, Comedy, Mystery · 32 chapters · 135,363 words

First lines

There was a wide entrance gate to the old family mansion of Midbranch, but it was never opened to admit the family or visitors; although occasionally a load of wood, drawn by two horses and two mules, came between its tall chestnut posts, and was taken by a roundabout way among the trees to a spot at the back of the house, where the chips of several generations of sturdy wood-choppers had formed a ligneous soil deeper than the arable surface of any portion of the nine hundred and fifty acres which formed the farm of Midbranch. This seldom opened gate was in a corner of the lawn, and the driving of carriages, or the riding of horses through it to the porch at the front of the house would have been the ruin of the short, thick grass which had covered that lawn, it was generally believed, ever since Virginia became a State.

What this Textopian page supports

The Late Mrs Null is listed on Textopian as a novel by Frank R. Stockton, dated 1869 CE.

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

Work type: Novel
Author: Frank R. Stockton
Date: 1869 CE
Language: English
Genres: Romance, Comedy, Mystery, Drama, Historical Fiction
Length: 135,363 words
Structure: 32 chapters, 1,871 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Work identity for The Late Mrs Null by Frank R. Stockton
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Discussion starters

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How does this novel by Frank R. Stockton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Romance first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Romance — The central plot revolves around romantic relationships and misunderstandings.
Comedy — The narrative includes humorous situations and witty dialogue.
Mystery — There are elements of intrigue and secrets that drive the plot forward.
Drama — The story explores personal and social conflicts among the characters.