The "Bold Venture"
The narrative unfolds in a small fishing town where the lives of its inhabitants revolve around the sea. Central to the story is Jonas Rea, a fisherman, and his family dynamics, particularly the tension between his wife, Jane, and his mother, Old Betty. Jonas and Jane have one son, Peter, who becomes the focal point of affection for both parents and grandparents. Old Betty, after being forced to leave her son’s home due to domestic strife, moves into a small cottage but remains deeply involved in Peter's life. She crafts a ship for him, fostering a bond that Jane resents. The narrative explores themes of familial love, jealousy, and the generational divide, as Peter grows fond of the sea, much to Jane's disapproval. Tragedy strikes when Peter drowns after falling into the harbor, leading to a profound grief that affects all family members. Jane's anger is directed at both Jonas and Betty, blaming them for Peter's death. Betty, heartbroken, mourns the loss of her beloved grandson, and her grief is compounded by Jane's hostility. As time passes, Betty is called back to assist when Jane gives birth to another son, also named Jonas. The cycle of affection and jealousy resumes, with Betty once again crafting a ship for her new grandson. However, the new Jonas is initially enamored with a toy ship bought by Jane, dismissing the handcrafted vessel, which devastates Betty. The story culminates in Betty's death, which coincides with the demise of Jane shortly after. The narrative concludes with Jonas reflecting on the strange occurrences surrounding the ships, particularly the original ship, the Bold Venture, which seems to carry the weight of family tragedies and unresolved tensions. The tale encapsulates the complexities of familial relationships, the impact of loss, and the haunting presence of the past.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1891 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Historical Fiction · 4,517 words
First lines
The little fisher-town of Portstephen comprised two strings of houses facing each other at the bottom of a narrow valley, down which the merest trickle of a stream decanted into the harbour. The street was so narrow that it was at intervals alone that sufficient space was accorded for two wheeled vehicles to pass one another, and the road-way was for the most part so narrow that each house door was set back in the depth of the wall, to permit the foot-passenger to step into the recess to avoid being overrun by the wheels of a cart that ascended or descended the street.
What this Textopian page supports
The "Bold Venture" is listed on Textopian as a novella by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1891 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Sabine Baring-Gould
- Date: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Historical Fiction, Tragedy, Family Saga
- Length: 4,517 words
- Structure: 1 section, 102 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The "Bold Venture" by Sabine Baring-Gould
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The "Bold Venture"?
- How does this novella by Sabine Baring-Gould fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The book explores complex themes of family dynamics, love, loss, and the passage of time, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Drama — The narrative focuses on interpersonal conflicts and emotional struggles within a family, typical of dramatic literature.
- Historical Fiction — Set in a specific time and place, the story reflects the social and cultural aspects of a fishing community.
- Tragedy — The plot involves significant loss and sorrow, culminating in tragic events that affect the characters deeply.
Tags
adventure · exploration · mystery · historical · fiction · sailing · seafaring · romance · conflict · courage · discovery · journey