Publisher's Synopsis
The Cloister and the Hearth is a novel written by Charles Reade, set in the Middle Ages. The story follows the life of Gerard Eliassoen, a young man who dreams of becoming a painter, but is forced to abandon his aspirations to help his family in their business. Gerard falls in love with a young woman named Margaret, the daughter of a wealthy cloth merchant, but their love is challenged by her father's disapproval and the social constraints of the time. Gerard's father, Eli, is a scholar who is obsessed with the idea of finding the original text of the Bible. He decides to leave his family and join a monastery to pursue his quest, but his departure causes a rift in the family. Gerard and his mother, Catherine, are left to manage the family business, but they struggle to make ends meet. The novel explores the themes of love, family, religion, and the pursuit of knowledge. It also provides a vivid portrayal of life in the Middle Ages, including the customs, beliefs, and social norms of the time. The Cloister and the Hearth is a compelling and thought-provoking book that offers a glimpse into the past and invites readers to reflect on the timeless issues of human existence.1922. Reade was an English novelist and dramatist, best known for The Cloister and the Hearth relates the adventures of the father of Erasmus, and is considered one of the best examples of historical novels. The book begins: Not a day passes over the earth, but men and women of no note do great deeds, speak great words, and suffer noble sorrows. Of these obscure heroes, philosophers, and martyrs, the greater part will never be known till that hour, when many that are great shall be small, and the small great; but of others the world�������s knowledge may be said to sleep: their lives and characters lie hidden from nations in the annals that record them.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
