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Description edit
Archer Hamilton is a collector of rare and beautiful insects. Imogen Everhard who adopts the name Gina Shaw is a servant in his uncle’s house. Clearly out of place in the position in which she has been discovered, she becomes a source of fascination . . . and curiosity. A girl with a blighted... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Summary edit
648p. Archer Hamilton is a collector of rare and beautiful insects. Gina Shaw is a servant in his uncle’s house. Clearly out of place in the position in which she has been discovered, she becomes a source of fascination . . . and curiosity. A girl with a blighted a fortune she deems a curse,... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)
Characters/People edit
- Archer Hamilton Barry: Our would-be hero, controlled by a manipulative uncle.
- Imogen Everard: Our heroine (?) burdened by a fortune she does not want and a character in tatters. (Imogen Everhard adopts the name Gina Shaw)
- Miles Wyndham: Mr. Hamilton's unscrupulous cousin... Or is he?
- Sir Edmund Barry: Archer's uncle, to whom he is irreparably indebted.
- Mrs. Hartup: The Venerable housekeeper
- Claire Montegue: Archer's cousin and counselor.
- Mrs. Julia Barrett: Add a description of this character.
- Mr. Graves
- Becky
- Miss Lara Everard
- Magnus
- Roger Mortimer
- Lady Alice
- Mr. Brown
- Sir Lionel
- Mrs. Montegue
- Roger Barrett
- Mr. Drake M. Everard
- Roberts
- Mr. Hamilton
- Mr. Hendricks
- Parson Ashcombe
- Mrs. Emily Barton
- Mr. Watts
- Cassandra
- Bess Mason
- Mary
- Ethne Hamilton
- Mr. Davis
- Charlie Mason
- Lionel Osborne
- Miss Radcliffe
- Gordon
- Muriel Ellison
- Harriet
- Gina Shaw
- James Crawford
- Mariana
- Abbie
- Ruskin
- David Ransom Crawford
- Mr. Meredith
- V.R. Christensen
Quotes edit
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“How had it come to this? He, once the moth to her flame. She, now his specimen in glass.”
First Sentence edit
With each creak in the floorboards above, Imogen’s nerves tensed.
Themes & Symbolism edit
- Overcoming abuse: Imogen has suffered various forms of abuse at the hands of her uncle. The book explores what it takes, and just how difficult it is to overcome the effects of abuse. With every opportunity granted her, she yet cannot believe she is deserving. At times the reader may be frustrated by what is so obvious, and yet, that is how the scars manifest. It's not quite impossible, but at least very, very difficult to learn to believe in oneself as a valuable human being, and set within the strict constraints of the Victorian era, it is all the more difficult.
- Arranged Marriage: The subject of arranged marriage offers a unique opportunity to examine what it requires to be happy in any relationship, particularly in marriages that are no longer happy or which have gone stale. Sometimes it's not possible to repair the damage done by time and poor decision. Sometimes it's merely a matter of changing one's attitude.
- The Burden of Inheritance: What is money really worth? How much can it really buy? And what does having it, or conversely not having it, do to a person? What obligation are really worth the security it offers?
Series & Lists edit
Authors & Contributors edit
- V. R. Christensen (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: Add the language.
Publisher: Add the publisher.
Country: Add the country of publication.
Publication Date: Add the publication date.
ISBN: Add the ISBN.
Page Count: 648
Publisher: Add the publisher.
Country: Add the country of publication.
Publication Date: Add the publication date.
ISBN: Add the ISBN.
Page Count: 648
Subjects edit
Links to Supplemental Material edit
- VRChristensen.com: Website and blog, where the author discusses in greater detail some of the themes and inspirational historical events that went into this and other works.
More Books Like This edit
Books That Influenced This Book edit
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