Esther Waters

An inspiring and relatable heroine, Esther is a pious young servant girl who endures the terrible fate of becoming pregnant and leaving her workplace to face a desperate future... but she is tenacious and fiery, and dedicated to keeping her son and building her life against unfathomably poor odds. Society’s ills are laid bare, especially the addictive buzz, desperate drive and inevitable destruction of gambling on horses. George Moore—who features by name in Joyce’s Ulysses, was painted by Manet, and strongly influenced by Émile Zola—is often considered the first great modern Irish novelist, and Esther Waters (1894) his finest work.

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Public Domain (P)2024 Naxos AudioBooks UK Ltd.

Esther Waters is a “fallen woman“

The book begins with Esther Waters, arriving at the estate of her employer where she will be working as one of the many servants. The Lord of the manner is very heavily into horse racing and owns many fine thoroughbred horses. Esther winds up getting pregnant and has to leave this employment. She gives birth and struggles to support herself and her baby. She falls into a world of hardship as well as the perils of betting on horse races and to a lesser extent of drink. She struggles through these problems, always making sure that she tries to provide for her baby. The story spends a period of about 18 years. Definitely recommended.