Only a clod
The novel opens in the convict settlement of Port Arthur in Tasmania, where a bored young ensign, Harcourt Lowther, is attended by a servant named Tredethlyn, a slow, loyal Cornishman the officer barely notices. News from home transforms Tredethlyn's prospects, and the story moves to England and France, to a beautiful heiress with a crowd of adorers, private theatricals, a commercial crisis and the question of whether a clod can be a gentleman and whether a gentleman is anything more. Mary Elizabeth Braddon published Only a Clod in 1865, three years after Lady Audley's Secret, and it shows her turning from pure sensation toward character and social comedy without losing her pace. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Only a clod
Only a clod by M. E. Braddon can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Only a clod online?
Yes. Only a clod opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Only a clod free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Only a clod is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Only a clod in the public domain?
Yes. Only a clod by M. E. Braddon is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Only a clod?
About 10 h 52 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Only a clod?
Only a clod by M. E. Braddon is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
