The Children of the Abbey: A Tale

"The Children of the Abbey: A Tale" by Regina Maria Roche is a novel written in the late 18th century. This work of fiction explores themes of love, loss, and the trials of its young protagonists, focusing particularly on Amanda, a sensitive and gentle character who experiences turmoil as she seeks refuge in her childhood home. At the start of the book, we are introduced to Amanda as she returns to her nurse’s cottage in North Wales after being sent away for her health. This setting brings back fond memories of her early life and evokes deep emotions stemming from her complicated family situation. Amanda is depicted as a compassionate and delicate figure, highlighting the contrasts between rural simplicity and her troubled upbringing. The opening portion establishes an atmosphere of warmth and nostalgia but also hints at Amanda's internal struggles, as she reflects on her mother's death during childbirth and her father's distress, setting the stage for the conflicts and romantic developments that are likely to unfold. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Regina Maria Roche (1764–1845) was an English Gothic novelist, best known for The Children of the Abbey (1796) and Clermont (1798). Encouraged by the success of the pioneering Ann Radcliffe, she became a bestselling author in her own time. The popularity of her third novel, The Children of the Abbey, rivalled that of Ann Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho, and was mentioned in Jane Austen's novel Emma.