Bessie Costrell
1895
Bessie Costrell, written by Mrs. Humphry Ward and first published in 1895, is a novel set in a rural English village that explores the life of its titular character, Bessie Costrell. The story examines her complex relationships with her uncle John Bolderfield and her husband Isaac, focusing on themes of trust, money, and moral decay. As Bessie navigates her newfound wealth from her late aunt, her reckless spending leads to moral dilemmas that impact the entire community. The narrative provides a critical look at the struggles of ordinary lives against the backdrop of societal judgments and personal ambitions.
