Falkner: A Novel

"Falkner: A Novel" by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley is a story set in the early 1800s, chronicling the intertwined lives of a young orphan named Elizabeth Raby and John Falkner, the complex man who steps in as her guardian following unfortunate events that take her parents. The novel explores themes of regret, affection, bereavement, as Falkner battles his internal demons and tries to shield Elizabeth. It starts in a small town in Cornwall, where Elizabeth is grief-stricken after losing her mother. The story then introduces John Falkner, engulfed in suffering, whose path crosses with Elizabeth's through an unfortunate incident. Initially intending to end his own life, his interaction with Elizabeth triggers a chain of events that forever changes their lives, sparking an exploration of their developing relationship.