Good evening, and welcome to The Sleepy Bookshelf. This season, as we approach the month of St. Patrick's Day, we will celebrate in our own little way. with an Irish novel, The Charwoman's Daughter by James Stevens. James Stevens was an Irish novelist, poet. and author of short stories in the early 20th century, known for his lyrical and sometimes fantastical prose. He grew up in Dublin.
and his early life was marked by poverty, which influenced much of his writing. His works often explored themes of Irish folklore, mysticism. and the struggles of ordinary people. We know our listeners are as unique as our novels, and lucky for you, our bookshelf is varied. with lots of different types of stories to lull you into a deep sleep. The following is a preview to give you an idea of what to expect from this season.
The Charwoman's Daughter was published in 1912, and it tells the story of Mary, the daughter of a poor, hard-working charwoman or housekeeper. and Mary's journey to improve her life through education and ambition. Mary faces the harsh realities of her socioeconomic position. But the novel is also about her resilience, her emotional struggles, and her desire to escape the limitations placed on her by society and her upbringing.
The story is a rich portrayal of working-class life in Dublin at the time, blending realism with a touch of idealism and sentiment. Stephen's writing is marked by its attention to detail, empathy for its characters, and its exploration of themes like class, opportunity, and self-determination. It's a blend of social realism with elements of mythic storytelling, which is a distinctive feature of Stephen's style. We hope you will join us for this season.
However, if you decide that the charwoman's daughter isn't your cup of tea, feel free to explore the rest of the bookshelf. We are sure you will find something to help guide you into a restful sleep. Don't forget, our premium subscription offers additional stories to choose from. You can sign up whenever you'd like and listen to bonus content between the seasons on the main feed or...
as an alternative to them. If you are already a premium supporter, we thank you so much. Remember, if there's a book you'd like to hear on the Sleepy Bookshelf. you can go to our website, sleepybookshelf.com, or use the link in the show notes to let us know. So if it's time for bed, why not choose an episode? Get cozy and you will be asleep in no time. Otherwise, I hope to see you very soon at The Sleepy Bookshelf.