The master of St. Benedict's, Vol. 1 (of 2)

"The Master of St. Benedict's, Vol. 1" by Alan St. Aubyn is a story set in the late 1800s that follows the life of Anthony Rae, a respected Master reflecting on his achieved life filled with aspiration and romance. The story shifts when Lucy Rae, his nephew's daughter, seeks refuge at his home after tragedy, causing her to face the challenges of becoming independent and achieving her goals. The narrative immediately introduces Anthony's journey from simple beginnings to becoming a great scholar, combined with Lucy's personal challenges. Lucy’s story begins with her dealing with the grief of losing her father while trying to follow her dream to attend a women's college, despite family pressures and societal expectations. As Lucy manages her dreams and relationships in her new surroundings, the story creates tension that introduces themes of aspiration, expected gender roles, and developing as a person.