Elsie Venner by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
A Romance of Destiny
The novel follows the life of a young woman who, due to a prenatal snakebite, exhibits serpent-like characteristics that influence her behavior and relationships. Set in a small New England town, the story explores themes of sin, guilt, and redemption as the protagonist struggles with her dual nature and the townspeople react to her with a mix of fear, fascination, and sympathy. Through a blend of romance, tragedy, and philosophical musings, the narrative delves into the complexities of human nature and the influence of heredity and environment on one's character.
The 10201st greatest book of all time
Purchase from
Bookshop.org or
Amazon
- Published
- 1861
- Nationality
- American
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 300-400
- Original Language
- English
- Avg User Rating
- No ratings yet
- Alternate Titles
- None
If you're interested in seeing the ranking details on this book go here
This book is on the following 3 lists:
- 100 Best Novels in the World (Published in 1899) (The Daily Telegraph)
- C.K. Shorter List of Best 100 Novels (The Bookman February 1898)
- F. B. Perkins' List of 100 Best Fiction (LibraryThing (from The Book Lover by James Baldwin (1910)))