Publisher's Synopsis
The History of Henry Esmond, Esquire is a novel by William Makepeace Thackeray, first published in 1852. The story is set in England during the early 18th century and follows the life of Henry Esmond, a young orphan who is taken in by his cousin, the Viscount Castlewood. Esmond grows up in the Castlewood household, serving as a page to the Viscount's wife Lady Castlewood, and falls in love with her daughter, Lady Beatrix. However, their love is forbidden and complicated by the political and social turmoil of the time, including the Jacobite rebellion and the reign of Queen Anne. Throughout the novel, Esmond faces many challenges and struggles to find his place in society, ultimately becoming a successful soldier and writer. The story is told from Esmond's perspective, providing insight into his thoughts and feelings as he navigates the complex world of 18th century England. The novel is also notable for its historical accuracy and detailed portrayal of the time period, including the customs, clothing, and political climate of the era. Overall, The History of Henry Esmond, Esquire is a richly detailed and engaging novel that explores themes of love, loyalty, and identity in a fascinating historical setting.1906. Vanity Fair is Thackeray's masterpiece, but he also showed great skill in writing historical fiction with fine attention to period manners and customs and a dispassionate sympathy for his character's actions. Considered by some to be one of the finest novels in the English language, The History of Henry Esmond, opens with Lady Castlewood stumbling upon Henry, the illegitimate cousin her husband has inherited along with his estate. They welcome Henry as part of their family, but as time goes on he begins to believe that this blessing may be more complex than appears at first glance. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.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.
