Hester
What is Hester about?
Hester (1883) tells the story of Hester Vernon, a proud and intelligent young woman living in dependence on her wealthy cousin Catherine, the formidable head of a banking family. When financial crisis strikes, Hester must confront the limits placed on women in the world of money and power.
Main themes in Hester
Women and finance
In Hester, women and finance provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Banking
In Hester, banking provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Female independence
In Hester, female independence provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Family power
Hester thoughtfully explores family power through its central conflicts.
Why Hester is still relevant today
A powerful novel about women and finance that anticipates modern discussions of gender and economic power. Oliphant’s most feminist work.
More by this author
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hester about?
A proud young woman challenges the power dynamics of a banking family when financial crisis strikes. Oliphant's most feminist novel.
Where can I read it?
Free on TextStack.