My Young Alcides: A Faded Photograph (ePub)

Charlotte Mary Yonge (1823-1901) was a prolific English novelist, known for her strong Anglican beliefs and keen interest in the promotion of education. Born into an intellectual family that encouraged her literary pursuits, Yonge commenced her writing career early, her work reflecting Victorian values and principles. She was a contemporary of celebrated authors such as Charles Dickens and George Eliot. Her writing, characterized by a clear narrative style, delved deep into her characters' psychology, often exploring moral and spiritual dilemmas faced by the youth in the context of the wider community. Over the course of her life, Yonge wrote over 160 works, including novels, religious tracts, histories, and biographies, further solidifying her standing in the literary world. 'My Young Alcides: A Faded Photograph' (1875) is emblematic of her narrative talent, providing readers with a Victorian rendering of heroism influenced by classical mythology. Her stories were not merely didactic but also aimed to provide refined entertainment to her audience. Yonge was an integral member of the High Church movement within Anglicanism and deeply committed to educational reform, which was reflected in her founding of the influential 'Monthly Packet' magazine, intended to aid the intellectual and moral development of young women. Yonge's contributions to literature and education have been widely revered, and her works remain valuable for their portrayal of nineteenth-century British life and values.