Fenwick's Career

"Fenwick's Career" by Mrs. Humphry Ward is a story set in the early 1900s. It follows John Fenwick, a painter, as he tries to make his mark in the art world while dealing with family and what society expects from him. The book looks at themes like wanting to be successful, standing up for yourself, and how love and giving up things for others go hand in hand. We meet John as a gifted but poor artist painting Bella Morrison, a woman who doesn't believe in herself because of her demanding mother. His interactions with her family show us his big goals and the pressures he feels. We also start to see his special connection with his wife, Phoebe. As John thinks about moving to London to boost his career, he faces a hard choice between his dreams and his responsibilities to his family.