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The Old Ladies
Paperback
Classic FictionGeneral FictionLiterary Fiction
ISBN13: 9781025878270
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 310
Weight: 0.96
Height: 0.65 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
In The Old Ladies, Hugh Walpole masterfully crafts a chilling and poignant exploration of age, poverty, and isolation. Set in the quiet cathedral town of Polchester, the narrative centers on three elderly women-Lucy Amarest, May Beringer, and Agatha Payne-who reside in the upper rooms of a decaying, drafty house. Each woman lives in her own world of memories and meager possessions, struggling to maintain dignity amidst dwindling resources.
The atmosphere shifts from melancholy to suspenseful as the gentle, timid May Beringer arrives with a cherished piece of amber, an object that soon becomes the focus of the sinister and obsessive Agatha Payne. As Agatha's desire for the amber grows, the psychological tension mounts, leading to a haunting confrontation between the characters. Walpole's keen observation of human nature and his ability to evoke a sense of creeping dread make The Old Ladies a standout work of early 20th-century psychological fiction.
This evocative novel offers a profound look at the vulnerabilities of the elderly and the shadows that can fall over lives lived in the margins of society. It remains a compelling study of character and atmosphere, showcasing Walpole's talent for blending domestic realism with elements of the macabre.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
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