Wylder's Hand

"Wylder's Hand" by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu is a 19th-century novel where Charles de Cresseron travels to Gylingden with a letter from Mark Wylder about family matters and a planned marriage. Vivid descriptions paint a picture of the English countryside and introduce the linked families of Wylders and Brandons, setting the scene for storylines dealing with mental instability, family inheritances, and convoluted relationships. Charles' reflections on his childhood memories tied to the Brandon family are mixed with nostalgia and a sense of unease, and the news of Mark's inheritance and marriage plans to Dorcas Brandon evokes a sense of foreboding due to their families' intertwined pasts. The arrival at Brandon Hall highlights complex character dynamics, the pending marriage, and potential conflicts, all wrapped in mystery and suspense.