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The Mrs Oliphant Library

The Mrs Oliphant Library

By: Mrs Margaret Oliphant
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Step within The Mrs Oliphant Library, where the lamp is lit, the curtains drawn, and the quiet voices of another century begin again. Here are novels of households and hearts, of provincial streets and church spires, of women’s wit, sorrow, duty, and courage; stories in which the ordinary parlour may open, almost unawares, upon the unseen. Each book is read in full, for those who love Victorian fiction in all its tenderness, irony, mystery, and truth.Public domain
Episodes
  • Hester: A Story of Contemporary Life, Volume 1 Chapter 8 - Nineteen

    Hester: A Story of Contemporary Life, Volume 1 Chapter 8 - Nineteen
    Jun 28 2026
    In which the young Hester Vernon grows painfully aware of the narrow bounds set by family and society, finding herself caught between lofty expectations and a yearning for genuine purpose amidst the humdrum and sometimes harsh realities of her world. Amidst the coldness and judgement of the Vernonry, a genuine, tender companionship with simple old friends offers her a rare sanctuary of warmth and admiration, nurturing her spirit in quiet rebellion against the constraints that confine her.
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    26 mins
  • Hester: A Story of Contemporary Life, Volume 1 Chapter 7 - Settling Down

    Hester: A Story of Contemporary Life, Volume 1 Chapter 7 - Settling Down
    Jun 28 2026
    In which a family adjusts to the subtle tensions and shifting alliances within their small community, marked by the delicate hostilities and patronage of a wealthy relative, and the arrival of a lively young cousin who stirs both hope and resentment. Amidst this social tableau, a young girl’s aspirations to independence and teaching are met with both encouragement and disapproval, revealing the contrasting ideals and unspoken strife that knit together their daily lives.
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    28 mins
  • Hester: A Story of Contemporary Life, Volume 1 Chapter 6 - Neighbours and Relations

    Hester: A Story of Contemporary Life, Volume 1 Chapter 6 - Neighbours and Relations
    Jun 27 2026
    In which the quiet rhythms and intricate social webs of the Vernonry are delicately revealed through the arrival of Mrs. John Vernon, whose unsettled return stirs a subtle tension among relations marked by pride, rivalry, and gentle disparagement. Amidst polite courtesies and veiled barbs, the interplay of character and circumstance softly unfolds, hinting at the delicate precariousness of their shared domicile and bonds.
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    20 mins
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