The Penitent (1922)

The Penitent is a novel published in 1922 by American author Edna Worthley Underwood. The story follows the life of a young woman named Mary who is sent to live with her aunt and uncle after her mother's death. Mary's aunt and uncle are devoutly religious and try to instill their beliefs in her, but Mary struggles with her own desires and the restrictions placed upon her.As Mary grows older, she becomes involved with a man named John, but their relationship is complicated by their differing religious beliefs. John is an atheist and Mary's aunt and uncle disapprove of him, causing Mary to question her own faith.Throughout the novel, Mary grapples with her own spirituality and the expectations placed upon her by society. She must decide whether to follow her heart or conform to the expectations of those around her.The Penitent is a thought-provoking exploration of religion, morality, and individuality in the early 20th century. Underwood's writing is introspective and nuanced, making this novel a compelling read for anyone interested in the intersection of faith and personal identity.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.