Publisher's Synopsis
The Two Houses is a tragic novel set in Staffordshire and based on real events. It was written by George Griffith and first published in 1866. The story revolves around two neighboring houses, one belonging to the wealthy and powerful family of the Allertons, and the other to the humble and hardworking family of the Baxters. The Allertons are proud and arrogant, while the Baxters are honest and virtuous.The novel begins with the death of the Allerton patriarch, leaving behind a vast estate and a bitter feud between his two sons, Arthur and Edward. Arthur, the elder son, is cunning and ambitious, while Edward is kind-hearted but weak-willed. Arthur schemes to take control of the family fortune and to marry his cousin, Julia, who is engaged to Edward. Julia is torn between her love for Edward and her duty to her family.Meanwhile, the Baxters are struggling to make ends meet, and their daughter, Mary, is forced to work as a servant in the Allerton household. Mary is mistreated by the Allertons, especially by Arthur, who takes advantage of her innocence. Mary falls in love with Edward, who is sympathetic to her plight, but their relationship is doomed from the start.As the story unfolds, the Allertons and the Baxters become entangled in a web of deceit, betrayal, and tragedy. The novel explores themes of class conflict, greed, love, and redemption. It is a powerful and moving portrayal of life in Victorian England, with vivid descriptions of the countryside, the social customs, and the moral values of the time.Overall, The Two Houses is a gripping and emotional novel that will captivate readers with its compelling plot, memorable characters, and timeless themes. It is a classic work of English literature that deserves to be rediscovered by a new generation of readers.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.
