The Cottage on the Fells

"The Cottage on the Fells" by H. De Vere Stacpoole is a story from the early 1900s about Richard Hellier, a lawyer without any cases or fame, who falls hard for the captivating Cécile Lefarge, a woman shadowed by her father’s scandalous history. It's a tale woven with love, where rank in society matters, filled with moments of how past deeds cast long shadows. Beginning with Hellier's recovery from a bout of the flu in Boulogne and meeting the affluent Comyns, the stage is set for a romance and his feelings of unworthiness and deep yearning for Cécile, whom he met at the Hotel des Bains. However, he knows there is an almost insurmountable issue in the way, her father's past as a murderer and the societal view of it. This mix of romance, along with what others think, and personal demons create a compelling and emotional vibe that pulls the reader into Hellier’s internal struggles and the heartbreaking events surrounding Cécile.