Mehalah

Book excerpt: This English fiction presents the story of Mehala, a strong-willed woman, and starts with a strange description of the Ray where Mehalah and her frail mother live. With rent day coming close, their fierce landowner, Elijah Rebow, gives them a visit to remind them that now they owe their livelihood to him. He attempts to force Mehalah into submission, yet she openly fights him and insists on self-sufficiency and liberty. Mehalah is a major Victorian novel published in 1880 and is set in the isolated marshes of Mersea and the surrounding area. The prominent theme of the book is independence and imprisonment. The novel is filled with incredible imagery and strong characterization. The writing is skillful, gripping, vibrant, and weirdly funny in places. In addition to the dark main plot, there are foolish supporting characters to deliver comic relief. The story also acts as an interesting account of life at the time in this part of the country during that period. It sheds light on the poverty, struggles, and desolation of the people and landscape.