"Verner's Pride" by Mrs. Henry Wood is a 19th-century novel that explores themes of inheritance, family conflict, societal expectations, and personal tragedy. The story focuses on the Verner family, particularly the aging patriarch, who is concerned about the future of his estate. Amidst family tensions, he decides to pass the legacy to his younger son, despite complications involving the elder son, who is far away. The family's complex dynamics are further strained by issues of societal class and duty, as the family's servants, especially a maid, play crucial roles in the unfolding drama.
A key event occurs when the maid, caught in an emotional and precarious situation, meets a tragic end. Her troubled interactions with various members of the household, as well as her connection to a local young man, contribute to her untimely death. This tragedy triggers a series of events that expose hidden secrets, unravel relationships, and ignite conflict within the family. Themes of guilt, mystery, and betrayal take center stage, as the family struggles to cope with the emotional aftermath and the consequences of their actions.
Mrs. Henry Wood (17 January 1814 - February 10, 1887) was an English author. She is well known for her 1861 novel East Lynne. Many of her works sold well abroad and were extensively read in the United States. She was more well-known in Australia than Charles Dickens at the time. Ellen Price was born in Worcester in 1814. She married Henry Wood in 1836, and they resided in Dauphiné, South France, for 20 years. Following the failure of Wood's business, the family (including four children) returned to England and resided in Upper Norwood, near London, where Ellen Wood began writing. This benefited the family. Henry Wood died in 1866. She wrote more than 30 novels, many of which (particularly East Lynne) were extremely popular. Some of the most well-known include Danesbury House, Oswald Cray, Mrs. Halliburton's Troubles, The Channings, Lord Oakburn's Daughters, and The Shadow of Ashlydyat. Her literary tone is "conservative and Christian," with occasional religious rhetoric.