Publisher's Synopsis
The Madonna of the Tubs is a novel written by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps and published in 1886. The story revolves around the life of a young woman named Bessie Day, who is a laundress living in a small town in New England. Bessie is known for her exceptional skills in washing and ironing clothes, and her clients refer to her as the ""Madonna of the Tubs.""Despite her humble background, Bessie has a strong sense of morality and is deeply committed to her Christian faith. She is also a devoted mother to her young son, Johnny, who is the light of her life. However, Bessie's life takes a dramatic turn when she meets a wealthy businessman named Frank Van Berg.Frank is immediately drawn to Bessie's beauty and kind-hearted nature, and he begins to court her. Bessie is initially hesitant to get involved with Frank, as she is aware of the social and economic differences between them. However, she eventually succumbs to his charms and they begin a passionate affair.As their relationship deepens, Bessie finds herself torn between her love for Frank and her sense of duty to her son and her community. She also learns that Frank has a dark secret that could destroy their relationship and her reputation.The Madonna of the Tubs is a powerful tale of love, morality, and social class in late 19th century America. It explores the themes of sacrifice, redemption, and forgiveness, and offers a vivid portrayal of life in a small town during this era. Elizabeth Stuart Phelps' masterful storytelling and vivid characterizations make this novel a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.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.
