A Knight of the Nets
by Amelia E. Barr (1831–1919)
- Free to read
- 5 hours to read
- 13 chapters
- Reading level: 7th grade
"A Knight of the Nets" by Amelia E. Barr is a novel written during the late 19th century. The story is set in a remote fishing village, Pittendurie, and focuses on the lives of Christina Binnie, her brother Andrew, and Sophy Traill as they navigate the complexities of love, ambition, and societal expectations in their tight-knit community. The narrative hints at the emotional and romantic tensions that arise against the backdrop of their daily lives, particularly regarding the interactions between Christina and Jamie Logan, and between Andrew and Sophy. The opening of the novel introduces the setting of Pittendurie, a quaint fishing village characterized by its picturesque cottages and vibrant local life. Christina is depicted as a beautiful young woman who has yet to marry, and there are whispers about her relationships with local fishermen, particularly Jamie Logan. The dynamics within her family become apparent as mother Janet expresses concern about Christina's affections, while Andrew holds steadfastly to his love for Sophy. As the chapter unfolds, familial bonds, romantic entanglements, and the pressing societal pressures of marrying well shape the characters’ interactions. Andrew's ambitious plans to secure a fishing boat and his deep love for Sophy further complicate matters, setting the stage for the unfolding drama between aspiration and loyalty.
- Social classes
- Man-woman relationships
- Fishers
- Scotland · Social life and customs · 19th century
Read the opening
Chapter I
THE WORLD SHE LIVED IN
It would be easy to walk many a time through "Fife and all the lands about it" and never once find the little fishing village of Pittendurie. Indeed, it would be a singular thing if it was found, unless some special business or direction led to it. For clearly it was never intended that human beings should build homes where these cottages cling together, between sea and sky,—a few here, and a few there, hidden away in every bend of the rocks where a little ground could be levelled, so that the tides in stormy weather break with threat and fury on the very doorstones of the lowest cottages. Yet as the lofty semicircle of hills bend inward, the sea follows; and there is a fair harbour, where the fishing boats ride together while their sails dry in the afternoon sun. Then the hamlet is very still; for the men are sleeping off the weariness of their night work, while the children play quietly among the tangle, and the women mend the nets or bait the lines for the next fishing. A lonely little spot, shut in by sea and land, and yet life is there in all its passionate variety—love and hate, jealousy and avarice, youth, with its ideal sorrows and infinite expectations, age, with its memories and regrets, and "sure and certain hope."
Keep reading A Knight of the Nets →
Download for your e-reader
Files are provided by Project Gutenberg. On a Kindle, the simplest route is to send the EPUB with Amazon’s Send to Kindle. Downloaded copies don’t sync with your place on Classic Book Reader.
About this edition
This free edition of A Knight of the Nets by Amelia E. Barr comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #9374, released 2005-11-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Romance, Novels, British Literature.
Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).
