The Inheritance

Readers can get a fascinating glimpse into the beginning of a spectacular career by reading The Inheritance, her recently unearthed debut book, which was written when Alcott was just 17 years old.The Inheritance tells the tale of Edith Adelon, an Italian orphan whom Lord Hamilton brought to England to be a friend for his kids. It takes place in a country estate in England. Alcott's story pits love and politeness against wickedness and dishonour, and with the help of a secret inheritance, allows virtue to triumph. It has a charm reminiscent of Jane Austen's works. Joel Myerson and Daniel Shealy describe their chance finding of Louisa May Alcott's The Inheritance manuscript draught in their Introduction (preserved at the Houghton Library of Harvard) .