Rita

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

24827

Title

Rita

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in war-torn Cuba during the Spanish-American War, this novel follows Rita Montfort, a passionate Cuban-American heiress who rejects her stifling stepmother's plans for a convent. Instead, she embraces the chaos of conflict to nurse the wounded and fight for freedom. Blending romance, adventure, and social commentary, the story explores themes of duty, rebellion, and the transformative power of love and service amidst political turmoil.

Summary up to 500 words

Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards' *Rita* is a spirited adventure set in Cuba during the Spanish-American War, chronicling the transformation of Rita Montfort from a rebellious, vain child into a compassionate patriot and devoted nurse. The narrative begins with a letter from Rita's stepmother, Maria Concepcion, to her brother in the United States. Fearing for Rita's safety due to her revolutionary sympathies and refusal to conform to Spanish customs, Concepcion plans to send the young girl to a strict convent. Rita, however, writes back to her cousin Margaret, revealing her fierce independence, her secret preparation of daggers and poison to resist oppression, and her deep love for her homeland. The story shifts to the war-torn landscape where Rita and her brother, Carlos, join the fight for Cuban independence. They encounter ragged soldiers, including the resourceful scout Pablo, who hides in plain sight using grass for camouflage. Rita's journey takes her to the home of Don Annunzio Carreno, a wealthy American living in Cuba. There, she meets Jack Delmonte, a soldier and the son of the renowned 'Saint of Las Rosas,' Mrs. Delmonte. Rita's character evolves significantly as she tends to the wounded in Mrs. Delmonte's hospital, earning the admiration of both patients and staff. Her romantic feelings for Jack grow, and he reciprocates, though their relationship faces the obstacle of Rita's age and her guardian's consent. Through letters exchanged between Rita, her cousin Margaret, Jack, and Mrs. Delmonte, the novel depicts the deepening bond between the young lovers and the hope for peace. The story concludes with Rita finding her true self, ready to become a worthy wife and citizen, having found purpose in the struggle for liberty. Richards uses the backdrop of the war to explore themes of national identity, the suppression of female agency, and the redemptive power of service and love.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24827.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg24827.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-05 13:49 UTC

Categories

• Adventure
• History