The novel follows the journey of a young woman, Ruth Hall, as she navigates life's hardships with resilience and determination. After the death of her beloved husband, Ruth finds herself in dire financial straits, struggling to provide for her two daughters amidst the scorn and neglect of her unsympathetic in-laws. Facing a society that offers little support to a widowed woman, Ruth bravely enters the male-dominated workforce as a writer. Despite facing numerous obstacles, including gender discrimination and personal betrayals, she perseveres and eventually achieves success, securing both independence and a means to support her family through her writing talent. The story serves as both a critique of the treatment of women in the 19th century and an inspiring tale of female empowerment.

The 2641st greatest book of all time