The Long Vacation (ePub)

Charlotte Mary Yonge (1823-1901) was an English novelist esteemed for her considerable contribution to children's literature and the genre of historical fiction during the Victorian era. Born in Otterbourne, Hampshire, Yonge was educated at home under the tutelage of her father, strongly influenced by the Oxford Movement and its emphasis on the Tractarian ideals within the Church of England. Her literary career spanned over seven decades, during which she published more than 160 works, comprising novels, short stories, and educational texts (Battiscombe, 1943; Romanes, 1884). 'The Heir of Redclyffe' (1853) is widely recognized as her most celebrated work, setting a precedent for the portrayal of moral and religious themes interwoven with domestic realism. Yonge's novel 'The Long Vacation' (1895) reflects her mastery in exploring familial dynamics and the consequences of personal choices against the backdrop of English society. She infused her narratives with vivid characterization and evoked a sense of duty and social responsibility (Gavin, 2010; Mitchell, 2013). A co-founder of the Monthly Packet, a magazine aimed at British Anglican girls, Yonge deployed her literary talents to express values aligned with Christian faith and moral instruction, solidifying her reputation as a significant moralist and educator of the 19th century (Mare & Sturrock, 2011).