London Pride, Or, When the World Was Younger

"London Pride, Or, When the World Was Younger" by M. E. Braddon is a historical fiction that transports readers to the era of the English Civil War, where loyalty is tested and family bonds are strained. The story centers on Sir John Kirkland, a devoted royalist consumed by grief over the King's death and the war-torn country, as he seeks shelter for his daughter Angela in a foreign convent. Battling the harsh winter conditions and the emotional toll of their ruined home and fractured family, Sir John grapples with the weight of history, constantly remembering the King’s execution and the uncertainty surrounding the royal family’s future. Angela, with her youthful innocence, provides a bright contrast to her father's despair, embodying hope amid devastation. The beginning of the novel establishes a compelling narrative about love and loss in a world consumed by conflict, setting the stage for a powerful exploration of duty, faith, and familial resilience.