Carey's Child

Name: Carey's Child
Price: 14.88 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780244679323

✍️ M E Reynolds

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$14.88

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A gothic novel about a pagan-raised orphan’s tragic rise from Derbyshire poverty.

Reynolds explores the tension between pagan upbringing and Christian society through Valentine’s life. The text examines how early exposure to witchcraft influences his adult relationships with Susan and Francis Levett-Bayne. It details the psychological impact of conflicting desires on a man trying to escape his past. The narrative structure follows his growth from childhood in Brockhill to adulthood in the city, highlighting the inevitable clash between his origins and his new social status.

Key Themes

pagan upbringing Satanic roots sexual desire

Literary Context

The story is rooted in 1820s rural Derbyshire. It draws on traditions of witchcraft, church grounds, and estate ownership within that specific historical period. The setting includes the village of Brockhill and the surrounding lands managed by local figures like the vicar and estate owners.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Bram Stoker · Mary Shelley · Wilkie Collins · Jeffrey Eugenides' The Virgin Suicides

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Lulu.com 📅 2018 📖 222 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780244679323

📝 Description: Carey's Child

M E Reynolds presents a historical narrative set in rural Derbyshire during the 1820s. The story begins with Carey, a witch residing on church grounds in Brockhill, who discovers an abandoned newborn beneath a hawthorn bush. She raises the child, naming him Valentine, as a pagan. His early years are marked by poverty until a local vicar provides him with an academic education on the land where they live. Valentine’s life shifts as he navigates complex relationships. He experiences adolescent love for Susan, another village orphan, and later develops a passion for Francis Levett-Bayne, a wealthy but dissolute estate owner. These connections trigger a conflict within Valentine regarding his sexual desires and his religious upbringing. Reynolds traces his evolution from a rural urchin to a young gentleman in the city. The narrative focuses on Valentine’s internal struggle to abandon his Satanic roots. This journey leads to tragic consequences that define the latter part of his life. The book suits readers interested in gothic fiction, historical settings, and psychological character studies. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or modern contemporary plots. The work relies on dramatic portrayal rather than extensive research citations.

💎 Our verdict on Carey's Child

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Reynolds delivers a compelling psychological portrait of Valentine, tracing his tragic rise from Derbyshire poverty to city life. The narrative effectively examines the clash between pagan roots and Christian expectations, creating a rich atmosphere of internal conflict. While it lacks modern pacing, its strength lies in the dramatic portrayal of sexual desire and religious guilt. This book suits readers who appreciate historical gothic settings and intricate character studies over plot-driven excitement. It is a thoughtful exploration of identity and societal pressure, offering a melancholic yet engaging read for fans of dark, atmospheric fiction that prioritizes emotional resonance and thematic depth above all else.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers interested in gothic fiction and psychological character studies will find value in this historical narrative. The book offers a deep exploration of the protagonist's internal struggle as he attempts to escape his pagan origins while navigating complex romantic and social dynamics. It appeals to those who enjoy slow-burn dramas that prioritize dramatic portrayal and emotional depth over fast-paced action or extensive research citations. Those seeking a detailed look at how early exposure to witchcraft influences adult relationships and identity formation in a restrictive society will appreciate the nuanced character evolution from rural poverty to urban gentility.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Reynolds delivers a compelling psychological portrait of Valentine, tracing his tragic rise from Derbyshire poverty to city life. The narrative effectively examines the clash between pagan roots and Christian expectations, creating a rich atmosphere of internal conflict. While it lacks modern pacing, its strength lies in the dramatic portrayal of sexual desire and religious guilt. This book suits readers who appreciate historical gothic settings and intricate character studies over plot-driven excitement. It is a thoughtful exploration of identity and societal pressure, offering a melancholic yet engaging read for fans of dark, atmospheric fiction that prioritizes emotional resonance and thematic depth above all else.