The Getting of Wisdom
In "The Getting of Wisdom," Henry Handel Richardson crafts a seminal coming-of-age narrative set in 1880s Australia, exploring the tumultuous journey of a young girl, Laura, as she navigates the complexities of adolescence within the confines of a strict boarding school. The novel is intricately woven with rich, impressionistic prose that captures the emotional nuances of youth – the struggles between individuality and conformity, ambition and despair. Through a blend of realism and psychological insight, Richardson places Laura’s Bildungsroman against the broader backdrop of a society grappling with changing values, making it a poignant examination of gender, class, and the quest for identity in a rapidly evolving world. Henry Handel Richardson, the pen name of Ethel Florence Lindesay Richardson, drew upon her own experiences as a student at a Melbourne boarding school to infuse authenticity into Laura's character and voice. Born in 1870, Richardson was deeply influenced by the cultural and social conditions of her time, which fueled her reflections on education, feminism, and self-discovery. Her unique perspective as a woman writer in the early 20th century lends depth and resonance to her work, illuminating the often-overlooked struggles of young female protagonists. Recommended for readers interested in richly-layered narratives that delve into personal growth and social commentary, "The Getting of Wisdom" is not only a timeless exploration of adolescence but also a critical social document. Its enduring relevance and profound insights make it essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the intricacies of identity formation and the nuances of human experience.
1100188579
The Getting of Wisdom
In "The Getting of Wisdom," Henry Handel Richardson crafts a seminal coming-of-age narrative set in 1880s Australia, exploring the tumultuous journey of a young girl, Laura, as she navigates the complexities of adolescence within the confines of a strict boarding school. The novel is intricately woven with rich, impressionistic prose that captures the emotional nuances of youth – the struggles between individuality and conformity, ambition and despair. Through a blend of realism and psychological insight, Richardson places Laura’s Bildungsroman against the broader backdrop of a society grappling with changing values, making it a poignant examination of gender, class, and the quest for identity in a rapidly evolving world. Henry Handel Richardson, the pen name of Ethel Florence Lindesay Richardson, drew upon her own experiences as a student at a Melbourne boarding school to infuse authenticity into Laura's character and voice. Born in 1870, Richardson was deeply influenced by the cultural and social conditions of her time, which fueled her reflections on education, feminism, and self-discovery. Her unique perspective as a woman writer in the early 20th century lends depth and resonance to her work, illuminating the often-overlooked struggles of young female protagonists. Recommended for readers interested in richly-layered narratives that delve into personal growth and social commentary, "The Getting of Wisdom" is not only a timeless exploration of adolescence but also a critical social document. Its enduring relevance and profound insights make it essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the intricacies of identity formation and the nuances of human experience.
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The Getting of Wisdom

The Getting of Wisdom

by Henry Handel Richardson
The Getting of Wisdom

The Getting of Wisdom

by Henry Handel Richardson

Paperback

$17.95 
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Overview

In "The Getting of Wisdom," Henry Handel Richardson crafts a seminal coming-of-age narrative set in 1880s Australia, exploring the tumultuous journey of a young girl, Laura, as she navigates the complexities of adolescence within the confines of a strict boarding school. The novel is intricately woven with rich, impressionistic prose that captures the emotional nuances of youth – the struggles between individuality and conformity, ambition and despair. Through a blend of realism and psychological insight, Richardson places Laura’s Bildungsroman against the broader backdrop of a society grappling with changing values, making it a poignant examination of gender, class, and the quest for identity in a rapidly evolving world. Henry Handel Richardson, the pen name of Ethel Florence Lindesay Richardson, drew upon her own experiences as a student at a Melbourne boarding school to infuse authenticity into Laura's character and voice. Born in 1870, Richardson was deeply influenced by the cultural and social conditions of her time, which fueled her reflections on education, feminism, and self-discovery. Her unique perspective as a woman writer in the early 20th century lends depth and resonance to her work, illuminating the often-overlooked struggles of young female protagonists. Recommended for readers interested in richly-layered narratives that delve into personal growth and social commentary, "The Getting of Wisdom" is not only a timeless exploration of adolescence but also a critical social document. Its enduring relevance and profound insights make it essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the intricacies of identity formation and the nuances of human experience.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781647999018
Publisher: Bibliotech Press
Publication date: 08/07/2020
Pages: 178
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.45(d)

About the Author

Henry Handel Richardson (1870-1946) was the pen name of Australian novelist Ethel Florence Lindesay Richardson. Born in East Melbourne, she was raised in a series of towns across Victoria with her mother and siblings following her father’s death. At thirteen, she left Maldon—where her mother worked as the local postmistress—to attend Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Melbourne. Her time there would inspire her bestselling coming-of-age novel The Getting of Wisdom (1910). Upon graduating in 1888, Richardson moved with her family to Germany to study music at the Leipzig Conservatorium. In 1894, she married John George Robertson, whom she met in Leipzig while he was studying German literature. They moved to London in 1903, where Richardson would publish Maurice Guest (1908), her debut novel. In 1912, Richardson returned to Australia to begin researching for her critically acclaimed trilogy The Fortunes of Richard Mahony, which consists of the novels Australia Felix (1917), The Way Home (1925), and Ultima Thule (1929). Partly based on her own family’s history, the trilogy earned praise from such figures as Sinclair Lewis for its startling depictions of a man’s decline due to mental illness and the lengths to which his wife must go to care for their young family.

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