Novel 123: Isabella Neil Harwood, Raymond's Heroine (1867)
After her father is ruined by an absconding financier, a girl is adopted by her rich aunt.
Isabella Neil Harwood (1837-1888) wrote five novels in six years (1864-1870) before turning to drama. This, her third novel, has a good plot with surprising turns and some complex characters.
“Domestic life has its depths, as well as its shallows; and the dreadful significance and mystery of life is that none of us know how noble or how vile we may be. To detect this secret strength of mere humanity is a great merit, and one possessed in a high degree by the book now before us.” Saturday Review, April 13, 1867
A “substantially good novel. Home and the world are its theme, but they are treated in no threadbare sentimental fashion. . . . The story . . . is original and well-constructed. . . . The development of character . . . is natural although artistic. . . . The dialogue is natural, and its narrative always well written.” Examiner, April 13, 1867
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