Free English ebook
The Price She Paid
"The Price She Paid" by David Graham Phillips is a novel written during the late 19th century. Set against the backdrop of upper-middle-class society, the story revolves around the duplicitous life of Henry Gower, whose selfishness and negligence leave his family ill-prepared for life after his unexpected death. The narrative delves into the lives of his widow and children as they grapple with financial insecurity, social expectations, and the pressures of marriage in a society that prizes wealth and status. The opening of the novel introduces the main character, Henry Gower, who appears to be a benevolent figure but is ultimately revealed to be profoundly self-serving. After his death, his family—including his widow and two children—struggle with their financial reality, which is much bleaker than they had anticipated. Gower's son, Frank, and daughter, Mildred, face their own dilemmas regarding expectations and societal pressures in Hanging Rock, a suburban community rife with ambition and materialism. The narrative foreshadows the challenges Mildred, in particular, will contend with as she contemplates her future and the prospect of marriage, navigating a world seemingly devoid of genuine connection amid the clamor for wealth and status.
Level C1 pagesEnglish
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Categories: American Literature Novels
Readers: Adults
Suggested age: 16+ (AI estimate)
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About this book
"The Price She Paid" by David Graham Phillips is a novel written during the late 19th century. Set against the backdrop of upper-middle-class society, the story revolves around the duplicitous life of Henry Gower, whose selfishness and negligence leave his family ill-prepared for life after his unexpected death. The narrative delves into the lives of his widow and children as they grapple with financial insecurity, social expectations, and the pressures of marriage in a society that prizes wealth and status. The opening of the novel introduces the main character, Henry Gower, who appears to be a benevolent figure but is ultimately revealed to be profoundly self-serving. After his death, his family—including his widow and two children—struggle with their financial reality, which is much bleaker than they had anticipated. Gower's son, Frank, and daughter, Mildred, face their own dilemmas regarding expectations and societal pressures in Hanging Rock, a suburban community rife with ambition and materialism. The narrative foreshadows the challenges Mildred, in particular, will contend with as she contemplates her future and the prospect of marriage, navigating a world seemingly devoid of genuine connection amid the clamor for wealth and status.
Reading guidance
Level C1Language difficulty is an AI estimate based on sampled text.
Reader and content guidance is an AI estimate based on the title, author, source summary, contents and selected excerpts. Unseen portions have not been assessed.
Recommended age: 16+ (AI estimate)
AI estimate: themes of marital economics, financial dependence, deception and implied sexual bargaining need conceptual maturity for enjoyment; independent reading at 16+, younger teens would need supported discussion of context. Based on named-book metadata and selected excerpts; unseen text was not assessed. This is guidance, not an official age rating; individual reading ability varies.
Source: Project Gutenberg · Public domain in the USA.
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