Greifenstein

"Greifenstein" by F. Marion Crawford is a story set around a noble family facing terrible poverty. The old Frau von Sigmundskron and her daughter, Hilda, live in a crumbling castle, struggling to survive while holding onto their family's pride. The mother sacrifices everything for her daughter, desperately hiding their situation. The story hints at a relationship between Hilda and her wealthy cousin, Greif, who is about to come home from university. Their future seems tangled with social expectations and old family problems. The start of the book emphasizes themes of pride, the pain of sacrifice, and the difficulty of staying noble when you are very poor, suggesting a close look at how characters fight against the rules of society.