Addie's Husband; or, Through clouds to sunshine

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

49806

Title

Addie's Husband; or, Through clouds to sunshine

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A sentimental Victorian romance exploring the trials of a proud, sensitive wife battling illness. Through clouds to sunshine, the story follows Adelaide Lefroy as she navigates societal expectations, family dynamics, and her own fragile health, ultimately finding resilience and enduring love.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in the English countryside, *Addie's Husband; or, Through Clouds to Sunshine* by Mrs. Gordon Smythies chronicles the poignant life of Adelaide Lefroy, a spirited and proud young woman who marries the wealthy, older Tom Armstrong. The narrative opens with a lively social gathering that starkly contrasts Adelaide's sensitive nature with the carefree, vain demeanor of her sisters, Pauline and Lottie. While her siblings thrive in society, Adelaide secretly suffers from a severe lung condition, a truth she struggles to conceal to maintain her dignity. As the story progresses, her health deteriorates, bringing profound despair and a fear that her illness will rob her of her youth. Despite grim medical prognoses, she clings to hope, pleading with her husband to let her live through the coming summer. The novel deeply explores the emotional toll of this condition on both spouses. Tom Armstrong loves Adelaide deeply but is tormented by his own pride and the fear of losing her. He struggles with the paradox that her sensitivity and pride are the very qualities he worships, yet he wishes she could be more robust like her sisters to ease his burden. A pivotal moment occurs with the birth of their son, adding a layer of maternal joy and anxiety to Adelaide's fragile existence. The narrative builds to a tragic climax where Adelaide's health fails completely. In a heartbreaking sequence, she faces the reality of her death, expressing her terror of dying too soon and her desperate desire to experience just one more summer. The story concludes with Adelaide passing away, leaving Armstrong to grieve and the family to find solace in memory. Through clouds to sunshine serves as a meditation on love, loss, and the enduring nature of affection even in the face of death.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Local file path

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Categories

• Classics
• Romance
• Fiction