Good Old Anna

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22144

Title

Good Old Anna

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in England at the outbreak of World War I, this novel explores the clash between personal loyalty and national duty through the story of Mrs. Otway's beloved German servant, Anna. As espionage fears mount, Anna faces suspicion and tragedy, offering a poignant look at prejudice, war's impact on daily life, and the complexities of friendship across enemy lines.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1915, Marie Belloc Lowndes' *Good Old Anna* presents a gripping domestic drama set against the backdrop of World War I. The narrative centers on Mrs. Otway and her daughter Rose, who have relied on Anna Bauer, a faithful German servant, for eighteen years. When war breaks out in August 1914, societal pressure mounts to send Anna home, but Mrs. Otway refuses to abandon her trusted companion, whose virtues of faithfulness and industry she deeply admires. Despite Miss Forsyth's warnings about the awkwardness of keeping a German servant, Mrs. Otway insists that parting with Anna would be worse than the war itself. As the town becomes saturated with spies and suspicion, the tension escalates. Anna is accused of passing secret telegrams to German agents, a charge that destroys her reputation and mental state. The accusation stems from a telegram she sent regarding a German agent's movements, which authorities link to a network of spies. Although Mrs. Otway maintains her innocence in the eyes of her mistress, the weight of public opinion and the fear of espionage drives Anna to despair. The story culminates in the tragic discovery of her body; she has hanged herself. The tragedy leaves Mrs. Otway to grapple with the devastating realization that her loyalty to a friend has cost her everything. Through this tragedy, Lowndes critiques the rapid shift in public sentiment and the harsh, often irrational nature of wartime hysteria, highlighting how quickly neighbors can turn on one another based on nationality rather than character. The novel underscores the devastating impact of war on personal relationships and the vulnerability of individuals caught in the crossfire of nationalistic fervor. The narrative concludes with the heartbreaking news of Anna's death reaching Rose, who had hoped to visit her, and the subsequent arrival of Rose's husband, Jervis Blake, finding solace in each other's grief.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg22144.epub

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Categories

• History
• Fiction