
Mrs. Balfame by Gertrude Atherton
Mrs. Balfame is a novel by Gertrude Atherton that tells the story of Mrs. Balfame, a wealthy and respected woman in her community who is accused of murdering her husband. The book follows her trial and the events leading up to it, as well as the aftermath of the verdict. It explores themes such as justice, morality, and social status.
By Gertrude Atherton · First published 1902 · Genre: Mystery, Crime, Drama · 38 chapters · 105,011 words
First lines
Mrs. Balfame had made up her mind to commit murder.
As she stared down at the rapt faces of the fifty-odd members of the Friday Club, upturned to the distinguished speaker from New York, whom she, as President, had introduced in those few words she so well knew how to choose, it occurred to her with a faint shock that this momentous resolution had been growing in her essentially refined and amiable mind for months, possibly for years; for she was not an impetuous woman.
What this Textopian page supports
Mrs. Balfame is listed on Textopian as a novel by Gertrude Atherton, 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: Gertrude Atherton
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Crime, Drama, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary
- Length: 105,011 words
- Structure: 38 chapters, 1,630 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mrs. Balfame by Gertrude Atherton
- 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 Mrs. Balfame?
- How does this novel by Gertrude Atherton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
Genres
- Mystery — The plot revolves around a murder investigation and the suspense surrounding the identity of the perpetrator.
- Crime — The narrative focuses on the criminal act of murder and its implications on the characters involved.
- Drama — The story explores complex interpersonal relationships and emotional conflicts among the characters.
- Psychological Fiction — The novel delves into the psychological motivations and inner workings of the protagonist's mind.
Tags
society · marriage · women's rights · class struggle · romance · drama · family dynamics · social commentary · historical fiction · American literature · feminism · wealth
Contents
More by Gertrude Atherton