A heritage and its history
de Ivy Compton-Burnett
“An Inheritance and Its History” is a fascinating novel by British author Ivy Compton-Burnett. First published in 1953, the work is an exploration of the complexity of family relationships and inheritance in 19th-century England.
The plot of the novel revolves around the Edgeworth family, an aristocratic English family living on a large country estate. When the family patriarch, Mr. Edgeworth, dies, his children become embroiled in a dispute over the inheritance. Tension and conflict escalate as secrets from the family’s past begin to come to light.
Compton-Burnett is known for her fast-paced, direct style of dialogue, and this novel is no exception. The characters speak in formal language, but their conversation is filled with innuendo and double entendres that add a layer of complexity to the plot. The author uses dialogue to expose the hypocrisy and cruelty of 19th-century English society, as well as to explore themes such as sexuality and power.
One of the most interesting things about the novel is how Compton-Burnett portrays the female characters. Despite being denied power and influence by the society of the time, the women in “An Inheritance and Its History” are strong and resourceful, and are often the ones driving the plot. The author also addresses issues such as homosexuality and incest in subtle but effective ways, which makes the novel all the more interesting and provocative.
In short, “An Inheritance and Its History” is a complex and fascinating novel that explores deep and controversial themes of Victorian society. Compton-Burnett is a talented author who uses dialogue and characters to create an intriguing plot full of twists and turns. If you enjoy 19th-century literature or are interested in exploring complex social and family issues, you should definitely read this novel.
Source: https://algunoslibrosbuenos.com/una-herencia-y-su-historia
