The Old Nurse's Story by Elizabeth Gaskell is a collection of two short stories that showcase the author's talent for crafting gothic tales with eerie atmospheres and intricate family histories. The first story, 'The Old Nurse's Story,' follows a nurse recounting the tragic past of her first charge's family, filled with losses due to lust and pride. As the past resurfaces to haunt the new child in the household, the family must confront their sins. The second story, 'Curious, If True,' takes a different turn with a Victorian protagonist getting lost in the woods and stumbling upon a château filled with strangely familiar guests, blending elements of gothic and literary burlesque genres.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is atmospheric and descriptive, rich in Victorian style that engages readers through its intimate first-person narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative features a gothic ghost story with family secrets, centered on the tragic history of Rosamond and her nurse as they encounter supernatural elements.

Setting:

Set in the gothic Furnivall Manor in Northumberland during a cold winter, the setting enhances the story's chilling atmosphere.

Pacing:

The pacing is gradual and reflective, effectively building suspense before reaching a dramatic climax.

Genres:

gothic

ghost story

literary fiction

Topics:

family history

loss and grief

childhood and innocence

secrets and betrayals

isolation

first person narrative

orphan protagonist

eerie family secrets

Notes:

The Old Nurse's Story is set in the Gothic genre, featuring a spooky mansion called Furnivall Manor House.

The narrator, Hester, recounts her experiences with a young girl named Rosamond in the late 18th century.

The story involves dark family secrets and eerie occurrences, including a crying girl at the windows during winter.

Miss Grace, a character in the story, is similar to Dickens' Miss Havisham, as both have dark pasts.

The tale includes elements of psychological horror, showcasing the impact of past sins on the present.

Another story in the collection, Curious if True, involves a modern man finding a chateau with aristocrats dressed in old-fashioned clothing.

Elizabeth Gaskell was a skilled storyteller known for her ghost stories and psychological depth.

The first story, The Old Nurse's Story, is well-received, while the second story received mixed reviews.

Gaskell's work is described as atmospheric and perfect for cold winter nights.

Many readers find Gaskell's storytelling engaging, despite varied opinions on the second story.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of loss, death, and haunting experiences.

From The Publisher:

After her parents pass away, young Rosamond is raised by her nurse in the ancestral home of her aunt, Miss Furnivall. One day the two uncover an exceptionally beautiful old portrait? A relative, distant or close? And is that the strange sound of a distant organ, or simply the wind?

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The Old Nurse's Story

Elizabeth Gaskell