The Descendant: A Novel of Old Virginia by Ellen Glasgow

A poor boy born in the Virginia mountains, Michael Akershem carries the blood of a once-great family, yet possesses nothing but ambition and a restless intelligence. Rescued from a life of drudgery by a kind doctor, he educates himself and moves to New York City, where his fierce writing makes him a rising radical journalist. There he meets Rachel Gavin, a beautiful Southern woman living with her father, and falls deeply in love. But Rachel’s world is one of polished manners and social caution, while Michael’s passion is for justice—and his pride refuses to bend. When a wealthy suitor appears, Rachel must choose between the man she loves and the security her father demands. Set against the fading grace of Old Virginia and the raw energy of Gilded Age New York, *The Descendant* is a haunting story of class, heredity, and the price of integrity. This modern retelling preserves Glasgow’s powerful narrative in fresh, natural language. Part of Timeless Classics.