The Angel of the Tenement

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

23517

Title

The Angel of the Tenement

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A heartwarming tale of redemption set in a New York tenement, where a mysterious three-year-old girl, the Angel, is found abandoned. Guided by a young Major and a community of neighbors, she transforms the lives of the impoverished residents, ultimately revealing her wealthy parents and restoring hope to the neighborhood.

Summary up to 500 words

George Madden Martin's *The Angel of the Tenement* opens in a New York tenement where residents discover a beautiful three-year-old girl named Angel in a dilapidated room. While the sharp-tongued Miss Carew and the charismatic chorus lady Miss Bonkowski debate whether to involve the police, the community decides to care for the child. A young Major, Joey, and a giant named Mr. Tomlin take Angel under their protection. The narrative follows their journey through the city, where they encounter a volatile mob protesting for work. Mr. Tomlin heroically rescues the child and Joey from the ensuing chaos and violence. Back in the tenement, Angel becomes a beloved figure, helping neighbors like Mrs. O'Malligan and Miss Carew. The story highlights themes of class disparity, the resilience of the poor, and the transformative power of kindness. As the plot develops, Angel's true identity is revealed; she is the daughter of a wealthy French mother and an English father. Her parents, along with a generous benefactor named Mr. Dilke, intervene to rescue the child and her companions from their squalid surroundings. The novel culminates in a festive Christmas celebration hosted by Angel in the Armory, where gifts are distributed to every member of the tenement, lifting their spirits and providing financial security. The story concludes with Angel returning to her family in the South, leaving the tenement residents permanently changed. Martin uses the child's perspective to critique social injustice while celebrating the capacity for goodness within a struggling community.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23517.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg23517.epub

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2026-07-06 08:35 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Social Conditions