Christian Melville

"Christian Melville" by Mrs. Oliphant is a 19th-century novel that tells about the Melville family, mostly about the oldest daughter, Christian, who feels very responsible for her younger brothers and sisters. The story pays close attention to what it means to take care of your family and how hard loss can be, while also looking at how faith is challenged by difficult life events. The story begins on New Year's Eve, a time of happiness mixed with sadness, as Christian thinks about her mother who has passed away. As the celebrations happen, we learn that Christian is thoughtful and serious, always caring for her younger siblings. Her brother, Halbert, seems to be struggling with some deep questions about life itself. These first chapters set the scene for the future ups and downs that the characters will face as Christian tries to balance celebrating and grieving.