The Perpetual Curate

Name: The Perpetual Curate
Author: Margaret Oliphant

The Perpetual Curate is a novel written by Margaret Oliphant in 1859. It tells the story of Reverend John Elton, a clergyman who has been appointed as the perpetual curate of the small village of Fieldhead. The novel explores themes of religion, morality, and the role of the church in rural society. Oliphant's writing style is characterized by her use of detailed descriptions of the rural landscape and the daily life of the villagers. She also examines the relationships between the characters, particularly the tension between Reverend Elton and his curate, Mr. Preston. The novel raises questions about the nature of faith and the role of religion in people's lives. Overall, The Perpetual Curate is a thought-provoking and well-crafted novel that provides insight into the social and religious landscape of 19th-century England.

By Margaret Oliphant · First published 1879 · Genre: Victorian Literature, Novel of manners, Historical Fiction · 48 chapters · 230,712 words

First lines

Carlingford is, as is well known, essentially a quiet place. There is no trade in the town, properly so called. To be sure, there are two or three small countinghouses at the other end of George Street, in that ambitious pile called Gresham Chambers; but the owners of these places of business live, as a general rule, in villas, either detached or semidetached, in the North-end, the new quarter, which, as everybody knows, is a region totally unrepresented in society. In Carlingford proper there is no trade, no manufactures, no anything in particular, except very pleasant parties and a superior class of people -- a very superior class of people, indeed, to anything one expects to meet with in a country town, which is not even a county town, nor the seat of any particular interest.

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The Perpetual Curate is listed on Textopian as a novel by Margaret Oliphant, dated 1879 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Margaret Oliphant
Date: 1879 CE
Language: English
Genres: Victorian Literature, Novel of manners, Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction, Religious Fiction
Length: 230,712 words
Structure: 48 chapters, 1,840 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Genres

Victorian Literature — The book was written and set in the Victorian era, and reflects the societal structure, conflicts and themes common in Victorian literature.
Novel of manners — The plot heavily focuses on societal norms and conventions of the era,navigating personal relationships, behavior and social standings.
Historical Fiction — While it was contemporary at the time of writing, the setting, characters, and events reflect a specific historical period, making it fall under the genre of Historical Fiction today.
Women's Fiction — The novel emphasizes personal growth, relationships, and experiences from a feminine perspective, which fits with Women's Fiction.