Publisher's Synopsis
Fleetwood or The Stain of Birth is a novel by American author Epes Sargent. The book tells the story of Fleetwood, a young man from a wealthy family in New England who is haunted by the stain of his birth. Fleetwood is the illegitimate son of a French opera singer and a wealthy American businessman, and he struggles to find his place in society.The novel follows Fleetwood as he navigates the complexities of American life in the mid-19th century. He falls in love with a young woman named Alice, but their relationship is complicated by the social conventions of the time. Fleetwood also becomes involved in politics, working to abolish slavery and promote women's rights.Throughout the book, Sargent explores themes of social class, race, and gender, offering a nuanced portrayal of American society in the mid-19th century. The novel is notable for its vivid descriptions of New England landscapes and its complex characters, who are both flawed and sympathetic.Overall, Fleetwood or The Stain of Birth is a rich and engaging novel that offers a fascinating glimpse into American life in the mid-19th century. It is a must-read for anyone interested in American history, literature, or culture.""And are they then a necessary part of civilization--the wretchedness, the squalor, the precarious subsistence, the absence of regular employment of the lowest and most numerous laboring class? Must men be driven to crime, and women to dishonor to sustain life--and is there not something wrong in the social organization, which compels them to such alternatives?""This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.