The Devourers

"The Devourers" by Annie Vivanti is an early 20th-century story that looks at family, grief, and difficult relationships, especially after Edith Avory's half-sister, Valeria, and her baby arrive. The story shows how the characters deal with the problems of sadness and the harsh facts of life. We first meet Edith Avory, who is happy about the new baby, born after a sad event. Her mixed feelings of joy and confusion, like when she's first upset by the baby's looks, show how childhood innocence can mix with adult pain. Edith's interactions with her family, who are also grieving, set up deeper looks at love, loss, and how kids see the world as the story goes on, creating a sad, important feel.