Robert Elsmere
Robert Elsmere, published in 1888 by Mrs. Humphry Ward, was the most discussed novel of its decade in England, and Gladstone reviewed it at length. Robert, a young Anglican clergyman of ardent faith, marries Catherine Leyburn, whose religion is strict and unquestioning, and takes a Surrey parish. There his reading, and his conversations with the skeptical squire Wendover, destroy his belief in miracles, and he must decide whether he can honestly remain a priest. The second half follows him to London, where he founds a brotherhood of working men on a creed stripped of the supernatural. Catherine's suffering, Rose Leyburn's music and love affair, and the Oxford of T. H. Green surround the central crisis. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is 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 Robert Elsmere
Robert Elsmere by Mrs. Humphry Ward 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 Robert Elsmere online?
Yes. Robert Elsmere 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 Robert Elsmere free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Robert Elsmere 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 Robert Elsmere in the public domain?
Yes. Robert Elsmere by Mrs. Humphry Ward 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 Robert Elsmere?
About 19 h 04 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 Robert Elsmere?
Robert Elsmere by Mrs. Humphry Ward is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
