Kitty Alone: A Story of Three Fires (vol. 1 of 3)

"Kitty Alone: A Story of Three Fires" by S. Baring-Gould is a 19th-century novel about the dreamer Jason Quarm, an impoverished farmer with grand plans to get rich through timber and a special mud, alongside his brother-in-law Pasco Pepperill and a mistreated daughter named Kate. Jason believes wealth lies hidden within Devon's ancient oaks and earthy clay; at the beginning, Jason arrives at Coombe Cellars with his donkey cart, comically showing off his grand dreams while talking about timber acquistions, while trying to get Kate's attention who is inside their home. The story uncovers family issues such as Kate's feelings of neglect and her want for affection, with the backdrop of Jason's wild ambitions. Themes of rivalry, ambition, and the hardships of rural life all come to light, hinting at social inequalities tied to class, gender, and the search for happiness.