A Mummer's Wife
By George Moore
1885
First Published
3.73
Average Rating
444
Number of Pages
Moore’s novel tells the story of Kate Ede, a bored Midlands housewife unhappily married to an asthmatic draper. When a handsome travelling actor comes to lodge with her family, she succumbs to temptation, with disastrous consequences.A Mummer’s Wife is a significant novel both in terms of its innovative style and in the history of literary censorship. Mudie’s decision to ban it from his famous circulating library prompted a virulent attack by Moore in his pamphlet Literature at Nurse. Moore defends the sexual content of his novel, comparing it with the sensation fiction approved by Mudie.This edition Preface by Moore’s most recent biographer, Adrian Frazier* Critical introduction and notes by Anthony Patterson* Author biography* The full text of Moore’s Literature at Nurse* A selection of contemporary reviews* Extracts from Moore’s Communication with Friends, in which he describes his first meeting with Henry Vizetelly and the evolution of A Mummer’s Wife* Moore’s preface to Zola’s Piping Hot!* Excerpt from the autobiography of Jimmy Glover, whose experiences as an actor influenced A Mummer’s Wife.
Avg Rating
3.73
Number of Ratings
44
5 STARS
27%
4 STARS
34%
3 STARS
25%
2 STARS
11%
1 STARS
2%
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