He That Will Not When He May

Margaret Oliphant (1828-1897) was a prolific Scottish writer who wrote romance novels with strong female characters. She also published works in other genres such as historical fiction and stories dealing with the supernatural.

In He That Will Not When He May, Oliphant explores a traditional theme in her work - the roles that society assigns to men and women. Her subtle expressions of frustration hint at a support for some limited social realignment between the sexes, if not between the classes. This novel is set in a 19th century English village where the stately Markham family reigns supreme. Prior to the events of the story, the family had been blessed with prosperity and joy. But this begins to crumble when a lost heir arrives on the scene...

Fans of Jane Austen and good historical romance in general will enjoy this gem.