A Woman of No Consequence

Book excerpt: If you are interested in 19th century fiction, and cannot find a story of a woman who is lowly born, and not rich or famous, then this tale may interest you. So much of 19th century fiction depicts large houses, lovely clothes, plenty to eat, and idleness born of not having to work. Rosie Randall has to work if she is to avoid the workhouse when her husband dies and she is left with a baby to bring up. She works as a seamstress, sewing garments, and household drapery for those of the middle classes who do not have as many servants as the wealthy. This tale is of her life, from 1817, when she is born to her death 100years later, during the 1st world war An ordinary woman, a woman of no consequence This is 19th century fiction unlike most others. The story is a woman born during the Regency, and tells the tale of her life through from her childhood, to employment as a Dairymaid age ten, and her disastrous marriage. When her husband dies, she is left with a baby to support and no home, until her stepmother offers her a job as a seamstress, and a home. She does find love, but he is killed at Crimea. It appears she is to have a very lonely old age as members of her family die. Will she die without finding happiness?