The Old Manor House

Orlando Somerive is the second son in a prosperous family, but his future prospects are unclear. His brother Philip stands to inherit their father’s estate, despite having squandered everything he has received so far. But Orlando has become a favorite of a very wealthy distant relation, Mrs Rayland. Known primarily for being a crotchety old woman, Mrs Rayland presides over her vast estate at Rayland Hall and while it’s likely Orlando will inherit, Mrs Rayland has remained coy about the specifics of her will. Meanwhile, Orlando has fallen in love with Monimia, the niece of Mrs Rayland’s most trusted servant. Their romance must be kept secret so as not to jeopardize Orlando’s future prospects. Orlando and Monimia’s relationship show more develops over the first half of the novel, as does his relationship with his parents, brother, and sisters.

Responsibility for the family begins to settle on Orlando’s shoulders. Because Orlando’s financial future is uncertain, he must find a profession. General Tracy, a friend of Orlando’s father, pays a visit and begins wrangling to marry Orlando’s sister for his own personal gain. The General agrees to obtain a British Army commission for Orlando, boldly asserting he will be able to serve without leaving England. But Orlando is immediately swept up in the American War of Independence. Suffice to say our hero’s journey over the second half of the novel contains many twists and turns before its inevitable satisfying conclusion.

Charlotte Smith was one of the women authors who influenced Jane Austen. Smith began as a poet and then turned to novels. The Old Manor House was published in 1793 and includes many fine turns of phrase, considerable humor, and a surprising anti-war stance. Highly recommended. show less

I read late into the night last night and then started again first thing this morning in order to finish this delightful read. It's a delightful story of life in 18th century England. As mentioned above, the book was published in 1793 and the last chapters are set in North America and England during the American War of Independence with some characters who were in the British Army at that time which gave it an interesting twist. More central to the story, however, is the day-to-day life of people of all classes in England at the time. There's romance, crime, affluence and poverty, etc. all mingled together to provide an interesting picture of English society at the time and to keep the reader interested in the main characters and their show more lives.

Ms. Smith also uses some delightfully descriptive language -- for example: "...though the age and profession of the Doctor protected him from the effects of the resentment he (Orlando) felt, began however a more severe remonstrance; which the Doctor not being disposed to listen to, ros show less

Writen in the 1790s but set in the 1770s, the Old Manor House depicts the life of a middle class with connections, if not pretensions, to those who are better off. The young hero doggedly perseveres in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, managing to retain his honor as well as the love of his life. But along the way all seems lost at almost every turn. A vague sense of the supernatural pervades the work. The fragility of their happiness emerges, as time after time, the least bit of overheard conversation, or a message not delivered or misunderstood is sufficient to undo everything. Smith also manages to state her anti-war, pro-American views, which might have seemed somewhat controversial at the time.

Text copied from old type-set pages with antique spelling -- very hard to read