The Poor Clare

by Elizabeth Gaskell, Derek Perkins (Narrator)

Rage and revenge mix with witchcraft and religion in a high Gothic tale of irredeemable love

One of the most important writers of the Victorian era, especially notable as an era when it was difficult for female writers to be heard, Elizabeth Gaskell is best known as the author of the acclaimed social novels Cranford, Mary Barton, and North and South.

But Gaskell also wrote in other genres. The Poor Clare is one of her Gothic tales, the story of Bridget Fitzgerald, who unwittingly puts a curse on her own estranged daughter and the granddaughter she did not know existed. When she discovers that the curse has fallen on her own kin, Bridget submits herself to the rituals of an obscure religious sect, hoping to lift the curse.

The Poor Clare sensitively treats issues of class and Catholic and Protestant religious tension in Victorian England, and is an innovative and thrilling gem from Gaskell's wide-ranging oeuvre.

Genres: Classics, Gothic, Fiction, Horror, Novella, 19th Century, Short Stories

Audiobook

First published January 1, 1856

About the author

Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell, née Stevenson (29 September 1810 – 12 November 1865), often referred to simply as Mrs. Gaskell, was an English novelist and short story writer during the Victorian era. Her novels offer a detailed portrait of the lives of many strata of society, including the very poor, and as such are of interest to social historians as well as lovers of literature.

AKA:
Елізабет Гаскелл (Ukrainian)

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Missing daughter, a curse, a woman accused of witchcraft... this Victorian Gothic novella has it all. Complicated family business, description of the poor and underprivileged, the war in Antwerp against the Austrians, there is even an exorcist present and an excellent overview on the order of the Poor Clares. Really enjoyed this well plotted and intriguing uncanny tale. The author knows how to keep you fascinated. Really recommended!

[karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

why, elizabeth gaskell, i had no idea….

for some reason, i had always equated elizabeth gaskell with well-behaved women in fancy dress sipping fizzy lemonade in english gardens talking about their suitors or something, but this is a bona fide gothic novella with a little of the old "life's little ironies" -vintage thomas hardy included to kick your heart in.

and it's pretty great, because not only is it doing all this work as a spooky, entertaining supernatural gothic tale of curses and tragedy and revenge, but it is using the gothic style to make some pretty cutting social commentary, which is subtle at first, but explodes into a last-act scenario in which there is no mistaking her message.

and not all the ladies are well-behaved.

it was definitely a nice surprise for me; i love having my illusions shattered, and i am always impressed when something as slim as a novella manages to pack so many layers of meaning into so little space. i admire economy.

but to sum it up as a life lesson for you: do not kill an old lady's dog. not ever.

[Carmo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mesmo numa história com menos de cem páginas, Elisabeth Gaskell não deixou de parte a análise social e religiosa que foram presença constante na sua vasta obra. Muito aquém de outros romances que escreveu, mas mesmo assim , muito mais que uma história de bruxaria e maldições.

Apesar da história não ser extraordinária, foi gravemente prejudicada por erros de tradução lamentáveis.

[Nancy Oakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the front of my edition of this book (the Melville House edition that is part of their wonderful Art of the Novella series), there's a brief note that this particular edition is reprinted from Gaskell's Lizzie Leigh and Other Tales (1896 ed.); it first made its appearance in Dickens' Household Words in 1856.

I know that others have labeled this story as a Gothic tale, but in my mind, this story of revenge and redemption sits much more squarely in the supernatural zone. It is a compelling and eerie tale involving a horrific curse that will come to have serious repercussions beyond anything even remotely imaginable. It also opens a window onto anti-Catholic Britain, and reading carefully, it seems to be, in part, a plea for religious tolerance. After all, anti-Catholic feelings were still strong during Gaskell's lifetime, exacerbated by the influx of Irish immigrants coming to England during the Great Famine. Bottom line: as with most of Gaskell's short fiction, there's much more here than a simple tale.

While there are definitely strong undercurrents here, if you're a reader more focused on plot than subtext and just want a well-written, different and entertaining read, The Poor Clare is still a good choice for dark fiction readers. I loved it. It's almost like a mystery in parts; the only down side is that it is a bit abrupt at the end so beware. I had to go back through the last few pages more than once to make sure I got it right. Overall, though, it's one of the strangest tales I've read in a while, and it's a very good one. It's also very unlike Gaskell's other stories that I've read so it might be a new experience for readers who enjoy her work.

If anyone is interested in plot (and more) without spoilers, there's more here at my reading journal.

[Jesús De la Jara · Rating 3 out of 5]

LA CLARISA POBRE

Este cuento gótico, la primera obra de Gaskell que leo me gustó pero hay varios aspectos en contra a mi parecer.
La historia está llena de enigmas y misterios que sin embargo son predecibles. Bridget Fitzgerald ha trabajado cerca de una familia acomodada de Inglaterra, cuando ellos enferman queda heredera de una buena parte de sus propiedades. Es una persona obstinada y orgullosa que se quebrará cuando su hija Mary vaya a Europa a probar suerte. Poco a poco se convertirá en una mujer terrible temida y respetada por los campesinos por sus dotes de bruja.
En algunas partes el terror era visible y atemorizante pero no en realidad no tanto, así mismo hay muchos eventos medio tontos o forzados que hacen que la historia no tenga ese trasfondo realista que hace más creíble una historia de terror. También el final y otros aspectos como la prosa de la autora no fueron de mi total agrado, un poco enrevesada la trama aunque un poco necesaria para hacerla más interesante.

[Katie Lumsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting Gothic Elizabeth Gaskell novel. It explores some great themes and has some wonderful moments, though I'm not sure it's as well-structured as the rest of her work.

[Coleccionista de finales tristes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy bueno! Denle una oportunidad a lo relatos cortos de Elizabeth Gaskell.

En este nos cuenta lo que lleva a una mujer a meterse a la orden de las Clarisas.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

A curse backfires, and all this mess because of a dog. This novella is all over the place. It starts out like a gothic story, but ends like a religious tale. I thought it could've been a bit shorter and more focused.

[Latasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the LibriVox recording of this. The Poor Clare is the story of a lady. Her daughter goes off to live life, leaving her all alone. And oh how she suffers. She is lonely and unhappy. Her daughter leaves behind a little dog. This creature is her only companion and the only thing she has left from her daughter. One day, while out in the woods, this jerk shoots it and isn't very sorry about it. So she curses him. She becomes known as a witch. But is she really?
The story was ok, a little sad.

[K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has all the ingredients of a good British Victorian ghost story, complete with curses, a ghostly double of another character, and a woman who may or not be a witch. Throw in some anti-Catholic anxiety for extra flavor, and you have The Poor Clare.

The Poor Clare is told in flashback by a witness to the events of the ghost story. The narrator himself is Protestant while the characters he tells about are Catholic, and so the novella is interesting for the ways it provides a picture of how Catholocism was viewed (at least by a certain slice of England's population). While some anti-Catholic statments are made by characters, the story is ultimately one of redemption, so it could also be interpreted as a text advocating some measure of religious tolerance.

[Marieke · Rating 4 out of 5]

If this isn't already a Masterpiece Theater production, perhaps it should be. A period piece, all noir and gothic in the best way...

[Sidik Fofana · Rating 3 out of 5]

SIX WORD REVIEW: Don't let old hags curse you.

[Sandra Dias · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uma pequena delícia gótica onde conhecemos uma mulher que devido aos seus actos impensados do passado e pela sua forma de ser volátil, se afoga na solidão e na amargura - Bridget Fiztgerald.

Quando um cavalheiro, de forma cruel e infantil, assassina o único companheiro de Bridet, um cão que é a única recordação da sua filha desaparecida, Bridget, desesperada pela dor e pelo ódio profere uma série de palavras fatais que irão torturar várias gerações.

Anos depois daquele acontecimento trágico, acompanhamos a tentativa desesperada de um homem desesperado para salvar a sua amada da terrível maldição.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really cool story. I love it when classics have interesting original stories that are predecessors to what people enjoy today. I just wish she made it a full novel. I would have liked to read the same thing fleshed out.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella was very surprising from Gaskell--it seems much more like something Wilkie Collins would have written! I wondered what made Gaskell turn his mind to a story like this--full of curses, creepiness, and ghostly appearances! I'm not sure what to make of the role of religion in this story or what the moral of the story is that Gaskell is trying to convey--seems to be a story about grudges and forgiving one's enemies a la William Blake "The Poisoned Tree" but what of Mr. Gisborne? There did not seem to be any repentance on his end--is there some message about women paying the price for men's misdeeds? Probably! Another one that would be great to discuss in an English class!

Overall, nothing can top North and South from Gaskell but this was a fun and intriguing story!

[Fatima Sheriff · Rating 2 out of 5]

A tale of loss, vengeance and the curse it wreaks, told in such a convoluted, distanced way that what should be a compelling, concise plot just becomes confusing and exhausting.

[Kayleigh Wiebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooh this was just the Victorian gothic read I needed for the Christmas season. I found out that ghost stories for Christmas was a Victorian tradition and I’m jumping on that now for my traditions.

I loved the narrator’s pov, setting up the history so that we could feel the present impacts so potently. I thought the religious bent was done very well, and the ending was a beautiful sacrifice come full circle.

Considering the time this was written, it wasn’t too complex in its language, making it very readable and unputdownable.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un roman très court, mais quelle puissance !

[Crissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella was gifted to me by Hayley Toivanen and while it was very different than most of Gaskell's other work, it was similar in that I was pulled into the narrative within the first few pages. I felt for the characters immediately and was captivated by the story. In classic Victorian style, the various threads of the story all came together in exciting and harmonious ways.
A very religious element to this story that I'm not sure I understood but I would definitely recommend this to all Gaskell fans!

[Alejandro · Rating 2 out of 5]

So according to this story, if you are a witch and want to reverse a curse you had cast, then become a nun and pray the curse away...

[Jos · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not quite to my taste. The story was told through a narrator who observed a number of important points in the lives of those affected. However, because of the third-party narrator, the pacing was quite off, and wasted details were added to the story. I probably would have been fine with this as a way of layering metaphors, but everything was explicitly described that I didn't feel like the reiterations or additional descriptions added much. Having the 3rd party narrator also made it hard for me to connect with the other characters. Everything just sounded so bland and mundane.

It was a curious choice and certainly didn't feel as creepy as I wanted out of a gothic horror novel. It was a very quick read, so I do recommend giving it a try for yourself.

[Dayna Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Gothic novella is the story of a cursed girl and the lawyer who loves her. It is set during the social and political turmoil of Victorian England. It uses a family curse to demonstrate the harshness of class in English society and the tensions between Catholics and Protestants. When a gentleman kills the dog of a poor old woman, she utters a curse on his family that will come back to haunt her as well. A creepy, but powerfully written, story. A great little read for Halloween.

[Terris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is wonderful, especially for readers who enjoy "tales of the supernatural"! And Elizabeth Gaskell tells it in her own classic style! The story is about an old woman who curses a man for killing her dog, and the repercussions of her actions. Lots of twists and turns! I loved it!

This one is included in Gaskell's Gothic Tales. I think I might have to read that one next! :)

[Tita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vejam a minha opinião em vídeo, AQUI.

[Nora]

@thenobbylife ‘s Elizabeth Gaskell’s Ghost Stories’ readalong, story 2

Also-

1856 ✅ of my 100 Years of Books Challenge

[mafs]

QUE LINDO. PRECISO DESTE LIVRO NAS MINHAS VEIAS.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A weirdly mystical little book — I didn’t read about it before listening to it, so I anticipated something in the vein of Wives and Daughters, and this one … wasn’t. But I didn’t hate it.

[Renee M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a weird little story of revenge and redemption. On the way it touches on class restrictions, religious prejudice, historical events, boomerang curses, and supernatural phenomenon.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I need to read a bunch of European history to figure out all the nuances of this outlandish tale.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting short story. I really loved the gothic aspect, and the idea of the evil double was great. I would have liked to see even more of it. However, the religious themes were also interesting and thought-provoking. It's clear Gaskell had more in mind than just a gothic story.

Bridget was a very interesting character, and I really felt for her through the story. The fact that her curse turned on her own blood was very tragic and I followed the events with interest.

The ending was a little abrupt for me, but all in all this was a very good short story.