My Son's Wife by Rudyard Kipling

Name: My Son's Wife
Author: Rudyard Kipling

The narrative follows Frankwell Midmore, a man disillusioned with the social elite and their superficial pursuits. After inheriting a country estate from a distant aunt, he is thrust into rural life, which starkly contrasts his previous existence in London. The estate, with its dilapidated house and peculiar tenants, becomes a microcosm of his internal struggles and societal observations. Midmore's initial intent is to sell the estate, but he becomes entangled in the lives of its inhabitants, particularly Mr. Sidney, a cantankerous farmer, and Rhoda, the loyal maid. As he navigates the complexities of land ownership and tenant relationships, he grapples with his own identity and the expectations of society. His interactions with Sidney reveal the harsh realities of rural life, while his growing affection for Rhoda complicates his views on class and relationships. The story explores themes of social responsibility, the nature of love, and the conflict between personal desires and societal norms. Midmore's journey is marked by moments of introspection, humor, and a gradual acceptance of his new role as a landowner. The narrative culminates in a flood that serves as a metaphor for cleansing and renewal, forcing Midmore to confront his past and the choices he has made. Ultimately, the work reflects on the absurdities of social conventions and the search for authenticity in a world rife with pretense. Midmore's evolution from a detached observer to an engaged participant in the lives around him underscores the transformative power of love and community.

By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1913 · Genre: Fiction, Drama, Literary Fiction · 16,721 words

First lines

He had suffered from the disease of the century since his early youth, and before he was thirty he was heavily marked with it. He and a few friends had rearranged Heaven very comfortably, but the reorganisation of Earth, which they called Society, was even greater fun. It demanded Work in the shape of many taxi-rides daily; hours of brilliant talk with brilliant talkers; some sparkling correspondence; a few silences (but on the understanding that their own turn should come soon) while other people expounded philosophies; and a fair number of picture-galleries, tea-fights, concerts, theatres, music-halls, and cinema shows; the whole trimmed with love-making to women whose hair smelt of cigarette-smoke. Such strong days sent Frankwell Midmore back to his flat assured that he and his friends had helped the World a step nearer the Truth, the Dawn, and the New Order.

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My Son's Wife is listed on Textopian as a novel by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1913 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Rudyard Kipling
Date: 1913 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fiction, Drama, Literary Fiction, Family Saga, Social Commentary
Length: 16,721 words
Structure: 1 section, 309 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Fiction — The narrative is a work of fiction that explores personal and familial relationships.
Drama — The story contains dramatic elements that focus on emotional conflicts and character development.
Literary Fiction — The writing style emphasizes character introspection and thematic depth.
Family Saga — The plot revolves around family dynamics and the complexities of marriage.