Plot Summary

The Power of Sympathy

William Hill Brown
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The Power of Sympathy

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1789

Book Brief

William Hill Brown

The Power of Sympathy

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1789
Book Details
Pages

90

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Massachusetts • 1780s

Publication Year

1789

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Published in 1789, The Power of Sympathy: or, The Triumph of Nature by William Hill Brown is a classic American epistolary novel that follows the ill-fated romance between Thomas Harrington and Harriet Fawcet. Through their correspondence and interactions with friends and family, the story illustrates the dangers of yielding to passion and underscores themes of seduction, education, and morality. Sensitive topics such as seduction, incest, and suicide are central to the narrative.

Melancholic

Romantic

Mysterious

Emotional

Dark

Reviews & Readership

3.5

366 ratings

33%

Loved it

35%

Mixed feelings

32%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

William Hill Brown's The Power of Sympathy evokes mixed reviews. Positively, it's praised for its pioneering status as an American novel and its exploration of early American society and moral issues. However, criticism includes its melodramatic plot and verbose style. Overall, readers recognize its historical importance despite its dated narrative approach.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Power of Sympathy?

A reader who appreciates The Power of Sympathy by William Hill Brown would likely enjoy early American literature, sentimental novels, and tales of moral and romantic dilemmas. Fans of Samuel Richardson's Clarissa or Hannah Webster Foster's The Coquette would find this book compelling.

3.5

366 ratings

33%

Loved it

35%

Mixed feelings

32%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

90

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Massachusetts • 1780s

Publication Year

1789

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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