The Inheritance
(Louisa May Alcott)
The Inheritance is Louisa May Alcott?s first novel, written when she was just seventeen years old. The handwritten novel was discovered in the Harvard library in 1988.
Unlike the Little Women books, The Inheritance is a sensational novel, not unlike the stories Jo writes to earn money for her family in Little Women. Because of its sensational nature, modern readers may tire of the seemingly archaic plot and characters. Also, Alcott?s youthfulness and immaturity as a writer are apparent, but anyone interested in history or Alcott as a person will enjoy this insight into her writing maturation process.
The story is about Edith Adalon, an Italian orphan. Lord Hamilton, an English nobleman, finds her on a trip to Italy, and enchanted by her lovely singing voice, takes her home to be a companion to his little daughter. Lord Hamilton dies, and Edith stays on with the Hamilton family, though she must put up with the petty jealousies of Hamilton relatives.
Edith has a secret past, unknown to all except a repentant old man who confesses all on his deathbed. She must withstand the unwelcome advances of a doltish suitor, but she finds true love with the noble Lord Percy, and happily, this event coincides with the realization that she is the inheritor of the grand estate.
Clearly, the plot twists are more important to Alcott than deep characterization. She stresses truth, loyalty, and honesty in this happily-ever-after didactic novel. Edith?s character is always benevolent, always long-suffering, and always kind. She is a wonderful ideal, but Alcott?s later characters, such as those in Little Women, seem much more human.
Apparently, Alcott never tried to get this novel published, but it?s a fun read and shows how autobiographical the character of Jo was to Alcott.
The afterword in the Dutton, 1997, version of The Inheritance is wonderful. If you read this version, don?t skip on the afterword.
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