Finalmente

by Elizabeth Gaskell, Agatha Agostini (Tradutor)

Um casal que se apaixona, mas seu pai desaprova o pretendente porque nada se sabe sobre sua origem familiar

Genres: Classics, Audiobook, Victorian

27 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1858

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

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting novella because it showed Elizabeth Gaskell’s early promise. The plotting is a little naïve, and the characterisation is a bit simplistic, but the heroine Margaret is a strong-minded, smart woman who transcends the social mores of her historical period to overcome difficulties which overwhelm her weaker husband.

It’s a case of a couple who fall in love but her father disapproves of the suitor because nothing is known of his family background. They marry anyway and he begins to forge a successful career as a doctor. Before long, however, circumstances conspire and he has to reveal A Dark Secret. Margaret is (of course) compassionate and understanding, but the couple must weigh the consequences of acting ethically when it means compromising their social situation and income prospects.

The story shows the themes of social prejudice, judgemental attitudes, and the power that an independent income can offer a woman who wants to go her own way.

It’s only 75 minutes long on an audio book but it offers food for thought, even in the 21st century.

I really liked the narration by Harriet Walker, the Scots accent was just right!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Free download available at eBooks@Adelaide

Opening lines:
Doctor Brown was poor, and had to make his way in the world. He had gone to study his profession in Edinburgh, and his energy, ability, and good conduct had entitled him to some notice on the part of the professors.

[Bettie]

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[Helen Victoria Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't sure what to expect with this short, sweet novella, but there are a few factors which stand out. There are all the usual characteristic Gaskell flourishes: a heroine with fortitude, romantic misunderstandings between lovers, a loyal servant who stands by her mistress. But it was the little innovations which made the tale for me. Chiefly, the young wife acting as detective in the story to find out her husband's secret, and the brief but very intriguing depiction of heredity and its perception in Victorian society -something which could ruin a family's prospects if discovered.

[Hermien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too short, but I love Elizabeth Gaskell and this is quite a lovely tale.

[isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

three stars for margaret, and margaret only.

[Phil Syphe · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Right at Last’ is a short story, first published in 1858.

The tale opens with Margret Frazer announcing her engagement to Dr James Brown. The receiver of this news is Margret’s uncle. Despite his disapproval in her choice of husband, owing to James’s ambiguous family history and believing Margret to be marrying below her station, she intends marrying James regardless.

The couple marry sooner than planned, resulting in tight money difficulties. At length this becomes a worsening problem, especially when James forgets to lock his bureau one night and discovers the next morning that the money he stored there overnight is missing.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short simplistic book (75 minutes on audiobook) but pleasant nonetheless. I liked Margaret as she was a strong character who stood by her principles. She did not shy away from marrying her doctor fiancé despite her family's strenuous object to his lack of pedigree and she stood by him when times got difficult & ugly secrets came to the fore.

[Sneha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like this one! Margaret was fine which is why I gave it two stars but Doctor Brown was terrible. He was weak and selfish and good as told her that had their situations been reversed he may not have had the courage to choose as she had!

[Desirae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the strongest piece of Gaskell fiction that I've come across. Too much time was spent leading up to the crime of stolen money, and even though is fairly clear that the husband was bidding something, the wives realizations about the household could have been more profound.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story about Margaret, a girl who marries the mysterious Dr Brown of whom her family know nothing and therefore highly disapprove. It's a simple story and a quick read but interesting...

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely short story from Gaskell - I enjoyed it very much.