Mark Gildersleeve: A Novel

"Mark Gildersleeve: A Novel" by John S. Sauzade is a story set in the fictional town of Belton, where the impact of money, drive, and morals shape the lives of its people, especially Mark Gildersleeve. The story touches on topics such as social class, individual challenges, and how love and social standing connect, focusing on Mark’s experiences and his relationships with the wealthy Heath family, particularly his hidden feelings for Edna Heath. The book begins in the lively town of Belton, known for its history and the beauty of the Passaic River and its waterfall. Readers find out about the death of John Peter Obershaw, a rich miser whose inheritance becomes a hot topic. This leads to George Gildersleeve, Mark's half-brother, and brings in other important people like Rufus Heath and the troubled John Peter Heath. Mark Gildersleeve, portrayed as quiet yet determined, deals with feelings of inadequacy because of a disability, while quietly longing for Edna's love. The start of the book sets the scene for examining social interactions and personal ambitions during a time of big change in America.