Mitchelhurst Place: A Novel. Vol. 1 (of 2)

"Mitchelhurst Place: A Novel. Vol. 1 (of 2)" by Margaret Veley is a story that takes place in the late 1800s where themes of social status, family heritage, and how the current times and history combine together are uncovered through the main characters, Barbada Strange and Reynold Harding. The book starts in the lonely town of Mitchelhurst, where the once important Mitchelhurst Place acts as a strong theme for the characters' battles with their own pride, who they are, and their feelings for one another. When the book opens, the reader is shown Reynold Harding and Barbara Strange meeting on a peaceful road in the country. Reynold, a young poet, is looking for something to give him ideas and feels a bond to the Rothwell family, but also feels disconnected from them. In their first meeting, Reynold tries to grab a gold cross that Barbara drops, but it ends up causing him embarrassment when he tries to return it. Barbara's uncle, Mr. Hayes, later asks Reynold to live at Mitchelhurst Place which brings up complicated relationships between the characters, family expectations, and the lingering history of the Rothwell family.