The Chronicles of Carlingford (6 Works): Fiction and Literature

by Mrs. Oliphant

The Chronicles of Carlingford is the tales that Margaret Oliphant contributed to Blackwood's Magazine (1862–1865), there are 6 tales : The Doctor's Family, The Rector, Salem Chapel, The Perpetual Curate, Miss Marjoribanks and Phoebe Junior.

Margaret Oliphant was a Scottish novelist and historical writer, who usually wrote as Mrs. Oliphant. Her fictional works encompass "domestic realism, the historical novel and tales of the supernatural"


This Edition Contains 6 Works;
● The Doctor's Family
● The Rector
● Salem Chapel Vol.1,2
● The Perpetual Curate
● Miss Marjoribanks
● Phoebe, Junior



This Edition Features:
● Biography of Margaret Oliphant
● Active Table of Contents
● Well Kindle Formatting

1411 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant (née Margaret Oliphant Wilson) was a Scottish novelist and historical writer, who usually wrote as Mrs. Oliphant. Her fictional works encompass "domestic realism, the historical novel and tales of the supernatural".

Margaret Oliphant was born at Wallyford, near Musselburgh, East Lothian, and spent her childhood at Lasswade (near Dalkeith), Glasgow and Liverpool. As a girl, she constantly experimented with writing. In 1849 she had her first novel published: Passages in the Life of Mrs. Margaret Maitland which dealt with the Scottish Free Church movement. It was followed by Caleb Field in 1851, the year in which she met the publisher William Blackwood in Edinburgh and was invited to contribute to the famous Blackwood's Magazine. The connection was to last for her whole lifetime, during which she contributed well over 100 articles, including, a critique of the character of Arthur Dimmesdale in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter.

Reviews

[Trev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margaret Oliphant was a prolific writer during the second half of the nineteenth century whose popularity can be measured by her almost permanent residence in the annual best sellers lists from 1862 to 1897. Her ‘Carlingford Chronicles’ are a collection of six stories set in the the country town of Carlingford each of which focuses on the domestic and emotional events of a particular family and their wider society. The Church in its different denominations features heavily because of its dominance in society at that time. The stories are full of humour and witty observations, with gentle dramas to keep the reader engaged. Although it is possible to enjoy any of the six stories as a stand alone novel, a greater appreciation of the author’s talent would be gained by reading all six in order of publication. There are similarities to Trollope, particularly in the characterisation and descriptions of domestic detail, but Margaret Oliphant has a style all of her own.
Her sharp satire relating to the world of men and the plight of women often rises to the surface, probably reflecting her own circumstances when she was left widowed with little money and forced to use her writing talents to support herself and her family.

[peter mackey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A female Trollope. Easy to read for the most part, but samey and a bit predictable. I read Miss Marjoribanks first, which was a mistake and now the timeline for the rest of the series doesn't seem to quite hang together. I've read the first two (the Doctor and the Rector) which are a disappointment after Ms Marjoribanks.
Personally I prefer Thomas Hardy or Henry Fielding from this era.

[judi kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy this type of literature immensely. Very good read!

[Pgchuis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Doctor's Family: Fred returns from Australia to sponge off his brother Edward (the doctor), but after six months his sister-in-law Nettie brings him his wife and children - a family Fred has told Edward nothing about.

Broadly speaking a romance, but with points to make about doing your duty when there is no alternative and knowing realistically how much you can put up with for love. Over-long and a little boring in the middle. Serious. 3*

The Rector: Mr Proctor leaves his Oxford College after 15 years as a fellow and takes on the parish of Carlingford, but soon discovers that he has no idea how to go about being a parish priest. Disappointing: Mr Proctor was a thoroughly useless minister, his mother was quite fun, but the woman it would be a total stretch to describe as his "love interest" was so underwritten I had no idea what she was like. 2*

Salem Chapel: I was quite enjoying this while it was about Mr Vincent the new dissenting minister and his adjustment to the realities of his vocation. Then he fell in love with the beautiful but not terribly bright Dowager and I became a little impatient. Then it turned into a sort of mystery, which was interesting, and then finally a scoundrel enticed Mr Vincent's sister to go away with him. At this point it turned into an extremely slow paced frustrating chase story. I kept going, assuming the end of Vol I would see some sort of conclusion. But no... I can't keep going. If his sister is so stupid as to go off with a man her brother has just wanted her not even to correspond with, I wash my hands of her anyway. Mrs Vincent Senr. nicely done though. 3* for the half I read.