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A review by _myliteraryobsession
The Rector's Daughter by F.M. Mayor
2.0
Overall Rating: 2 STARS **
Read as... Paperback.
Brief Synopsis...
Mary Jocelyn is the dutiful daughter of an austere village rector. In her thirties, Mary is deemed unlikely to receive a proposal of marriage, so she resigns herself to her spinster status and bides her time by writing poetry and caring for her ailing father.
When the charming Rev. Robert Herbert is appointed vicar at the local parish, Mary is surprised to find that she has caught his eye. Quite drawn to one another, Mary anticipates that Robert will soon propose, however, an impromptu trip to Buxton throws him in the path of the glamorous socialite, Kathy. Younger and prettier than Mary, Kathy appears to be the more suitable choice for a wife - hearts are ultimately broken and relationships become strained in this tragic tale of unrequited love.
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My Thoughts...
The Rector's Daughter is often hailed as one of the most underrated novels of the early 1900s. I sought out a copy of this classic in the hopes that it would capture me with its tragic story. I will echo other reviewers in saying that this is indeed a depressing read. Mary is quite a forlorn character, going about her drole life with as much enthusiasm as she can muster. When Rev. Robert Herbert arrives her mood is uplifted and she finds excitement in her future prospects as they form a deep attachment. Unfortunately, their relationship is short-lived and Mary's heart is ultimately broken when Robert announces that he has decided to marry Kathy instead.
Robert is the epitome of a man swayed by a pretty face, that soon realises that beauty isn't everything leading to instant regret. As religion features quite prominently in these character's lives, divorce or an illicit affair is completely out of the question, so Mary and Robert must live out their days dreaming of what could have been.
Mary is tormented by her low self-esteem and her 'unloved' status, and F.M. Mayor encourages her readers to think critically about how unmarried women were viewed and/or treated in the early 1900s. Mayor is quite perceptive when it comes to love and marriage, and this may be due to her own unmarried status, as the only man she ever loved tragically died of typhoid before they could tie the knot.
Whilst I found the plot refreshing and the characters of Mary, Robert and Kathy well-developed and fascinating, I didn't love F.M. Mayor's writing style. The story tended to drag quite a bit and I found myself losing interest early on although I persevered through to the very end. From a social commentary perspective, this was an adequate read, however, the building romance left much to be desired.
Read as... Paperback.
Brief Synopsis...
Mary Jocelyn is the dutiful daughter of an austere village rector. In her thirties, Mary is deemed unlikely to receive a proposal of marriage, so she resigns herself to her spinster status and bides her time by writing poetry and caring for her ailing father.
When the charming Rev. Robert Herbert is appointed vicar at the local parish, Mary is surprised to find that she has caught his eye. Quite drawn to one another, Mary anticipates that Robert will soon propose, however, an impromptu trip to Buxton throws him in the path of the glamorous socialite, Kathy. Younger and prettier than Mary, Kathy appears to be the more suitable choice for a wife - hearts are ultimately broken and relationships become strained in this tragic tale of unrequited love.
-------------------------------
My Thoughts...
The Rector's Daughter is often hailed as one of the most underrated novels of the early 1900s. I sought out a copy of this classic in the hopes that it would capture me with its tragic story. I will echo other reviewers in saying that this is indeed a depressing read. Mary is quite a forlorn character, going about her drole life with as much enthusiasm as she can muster. When Rev. Robert Herbert arrives her mood is uplifted and she finds excitement in her future prospects as they form a deep attachment. Unfortunately, their relationship is short-lived and Mary's heart is ultimately broken when Robert announces that he has decided to marry Kathy instead.
Robert is the epitome of a man swayed by a pretty face, that soon realises that beauty isn't everything leading to instant regret. As religion features quite prominently in these character's lives, divorce or an illicit affair is completely out of the question, so Mary and Robert must live out their days dreaming of what could have been.
Mary is tormented by her low self-esteem and her 'unloved' status, and F.M. Mayor encourages her readers to think critically about how unmarried women were viewed and/or treated in the early 1900s. Mayor is quite perceptive when it comes to love and marriage, and this may be due to her own unmarried status, as the only man she ever loved tragically died of typhoid before they could tie the knot.
Whilst I found the plot refreshing and the characters of Mary, Robert and Kathy well-developed and fascinating, I didn't love F.M. Mayor's writing style. The story tended to drag quite a bit and I found myself losing interest early on although I persevered through to the very end. From a social commentary perspective, this was an adequate read, however, the building romance left much to be desired.