The Hidden Hand (eBook)

Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth, known as E.D.E.N. Southworth (1819–1899), was a prominent American writer during the 19th century. Southworth's literary career was largely defined by her prolific output and ability to resonate with readers through her narrative hand. One of Southworth's most enduring works, 'The Hidden Hand', stands as a significant antebellum novel that showcases her narrative dexterity and understanding of social issues of her time. Southworth's talent lay in her strong, independent female characters and her intricate plots, which often centered around themes of identity, justice, and redemption. Prior to her success as a novelist, Southworth faced personal adversity, including financial struggles following the desertion by her husband. These personal trials informed much of her writing, infusing it with a sense of authenticity and emotional depth. Her success initially came through serialized novels in papers such as the 'National Era', which helped to establish her reputation as a leading literary figure. Southworth's prolific career and her creation of compelling and morally complex narratives, as exemplified in 'The Hidden Hand', have earned her a lasting place in American literary history.