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Dora Deane
A timeless Cinderella-inspired tale from one of the nineteenth century’s bestselling authors!
After the death of her mother, Dora Deane is reluctantly taken in by her aunt Sarah, who already has her hands full with two vain and selfish daughters determined to appear more to the world than they really are. Eugenia, the oldest of Dora’s cousins, is quick to capitalize on their new household member, and wastes no time turning Dora into her servant. Nor does she waste one dollar sent from old Uncle Nat, intended for Dora’s upkeep, but spent entirely on Eugenia’s whims and wishes.
For years Dora toils away, unaware of her mistreatment, until handsome Mr. Hastings from the next estate over slowly begins to realize Dora’s true worth. He determines not only to restore the lovely Dora Deane to her rightful position, but to win her hand as well, and to form a plan that ensures Eugenia will get exactly what she deserves.
Originally published in 1858, Mary Jane Holmes brings the New York countryside to life in Dora Deane, with the realistic, romantic manner that became a trademark of her novels and helped her sell over two million of them in the latter half of the nineteenth century.
Bonus Content: Introduction and Full-Color Chapter Artwork
After the death of her mother, Dora Deane is reluctantly taken in by her aunt Sarah, who already has her hands full with two vain and selfish daughters determined to appear more to the world than they really are. Eugenia, the oldest of Dora’s cousins, is quick to capitalize on their new household member, and wastes no time turning Dora into her servant. Nor does she waste one dollar sent from old Uncle Nat, intended for Dora’s upkeep, but spent entirely on Eugenia’s whims and wishes.
For years Dora toils away, unaware of her mistreatment, until handsome Mr. Hastings from the next estate over slowly begins to realize Dora’s true worth. He determines not only to restore the lovely Dora Deane to her rightful position, but to win her hand as well, and to form a plan that ensures Eugenia will get exactly what she deserves.
Originally published in 1858, Mary Jane Holmes brings the New York countryside to life in Dora Deane, with the realistic, romantic manner that became a trademark of her novels and helped her sell over two million of them in the latter half of the nineteenth century.
Bonus Content: Introduction and Full-Color Chapter Artwork
- GenresClassicsHistorical
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1858
6 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Mary Jane Holmes
233 books44 followersMary Jane Holmes (a.k.a. Mary J. Holmes) was a bestselling and prolific American author who wrote 39 popular novels, as well as short stories. Her first novel sold 250,000 copies; and she had total sales of 2 million books in her lifetime, second only to Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Mary Jane Holmes, nee Hawes (1825-1907) was an American author who wrote many popular novels. Holmes was born in Brookfield, Massachusetts. At age 13 she taught in a school. She married Daniel Holmes and they settled in Versailles, Kentucky. In 1854 she wrote her first novel, Tempest and Sunshine. The theme for most of her novels was domestic life. Other works include: The English Orphans; or, A Home in the New World (1855), 'Lena Rivers (1856), Homestead on the Hillside (1856), Meadow Brook (1857), Dora Deane; or, The East India Uncle (1859), Cousin Maude (1860), Rosamond Maude (1860), Darkness and Daylight (1864), Hugh Worthington (1865), Family Pride; or, Purified by Suffering (1867), Ethelyn's Mistake (1869), Edna Browning; or, The Leighton Homestead (1872), West Lawn (1874), Edith Lyle's Secret (1876), Forrest House (1879), Christmas Stories (1885), Bessie's Fortune (1885), Tracy Park (1886), Gretchen (1887), Paul Ralston (1897), The Cromptons (1899) and Bad Hugh (1900).
Portraying domestic life in small town and rural settings, she examined gender relationships, as well as those of class and race. She also dealt with slavery and the American Civil War, with a strong sense of moral justice. Her popular work was excluded from most 19th-century literary histories, but she has received recognition and reappraisal since the late 20th century.
Mary Jane Holmes, nee Hawes (1825-1907) was an American author who wrote many popular novels. Holmes was born in Brookfield, Massachusetts. At age 13 she taught in a school. She married Daniel Holmes and they settled in Versailles, Kentucky. In 1854 she wrote her first novel, Tempest and Sunshine. The theme for most of her novels was domestic life. Other works include: The English Orphans; or, A Home in the New World (1855), 'Lena Rivers (1856), Homestead on the Hillside (1856), Meadow Brook (1857), Dora Deane; or, The East India Uncle (1859), Cousin Maude (1860), Rosamond Maude (1860), Darkness and Daylight (1864), Hugh Worthington (1865), Family Pride; or, Purified by Suffering (1867), Ethelyn's Mistake (1869), Edna Browning; or, The Leighton Homestead (1872), West Lawn (1874), Edith Lyle's Secret (1876), Forrest House (1879), Christmas Stories (1885), Bessie's Fortune (1885), Tracy Park (1886), Gretchen (1887), Paul Ralston (1897), The Cromptons (1899) and Bad Hugh (1900).
Portraying domestic life in small town and rural settings, she examined gender relationships, as well as those of class and race. She also dealt with slavery and the American Civil War, with a strong sense of moral justice. Her popular work was excluded from most 19th-century literary histories, but she has received recognition and reappraisal since the late 20th century.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 20, 2015
(This review is for you Anne)
Mary Jane Holmes grabs you by the ear and pulls you along without a thought to your feelings. Which I can tell you were in turmoil over the things she put Dora through. Her writing is a roller coaster ride of emotions, Un-Put-Down-Able. So why the three? Because of Dora…
But what did Dora do? Nothing! Unless you want to count darning and cooking. She had the worlds most selfish cousin and an aunt with no backbone. They had her do everything, and gave her nothing in return. Humility and Meekness are all very well, But she didn't have to just put up with it all! I can think of no time or place in the book where Dora stood up for herself. She just let everyone walk all over her. The story itself was good, but having read four Holmes books in a row this one was just too much for me. I had had enough of perfect, put upon Cinderella type heroines.
Dora reminds me of The English Orphans , the Dish-Rag type character who is so good and sweet and disliked by everyone. (rolling eyes) Not possible, she must do Something like loose her temper or have a failing. But it is a sweet, fun old-fashioned book that entertained me.
On an up, it was clean, no swearing and had a HEA. I have read it twice, mainly to try and sort out my feelings on this book. So how about a 3 1/2 and a G
Mary Jane Holmes grabs you by the ear and pulls you along without a thought to your feelings. Which I can tell you were in turmoil over the things she put Dora through. Her writing is a roller coaster ride of emotions, Un-Put-Down-Able. So why the three? Because of Dora…
But what did Dora do? Nothing! Unless you want to count darning and cooking. She had the worlds most selfish cousin and an aunt with no backbone. They had her do everything, and gave her nothing in return. Humility and Meekness are all very well, But she didn't have to just put up with it all! I can think of no time or place in the book where Dora stood up for herself. She just let everyone walk all over her. The story itself was good, but having read four Holmes books in a row this one was just too much for me. I had had enough of perfect, put upon Cinderella type heroines.
Dora reminds me of The English Orphans , the Dish-Rag type character who is so good and sweet and disliked by everyone. (rolling eyes) Not possible, she must do Something like loose her temper or have a failing. But it is a sweet, fun old-fashioned book that entertained me.
On an up, it was clean, no swearing and had a HEA. I have read it twice, mainly to try and sort out my feelings on this book. So how about a 3 1/2 and a G
February 10, 2015
New Legacy Romance release!
July 30, 2025
In many respects, a perfect romantic, domestic novel. Holmes takes the time to have her characters come to realizations, deeply dramatizing otherwise small gestures. Yet she avoids sentimentalizing! This enjoyable book covers the spectrum between kindness and meanness, domestic drudgery and great riches.
May 19, 2019
Intricate and engaging
What a creative and well-told story! While I expected something of the ending from the beginning, the journey there was unknown. I enjoyed the characters, surprises, and the tale.
What a creative and well-told story! While I expected something of the ending from the beginning, the journey there was unknown. I enjoyed the characters, surprises, and the tale.
May 22, 2024
This was so fun to read.
September 29, 2013
Dora Deane was but twelve years of age when she became an orphan. Her dad died first, then a few years later, her mom died.
She was left with only a widowed aunt with two daughters, and an uncle somewhere in India. Her Uncle Nat had left for India after his brother married the girl he had been in love with for years. His brother was closer to her age and they fell in love. He could not bear seeing her with any other man so fled to Europe and soon established a profitable business in India where he remanined. He was to be Dora's guardian but felt he couldn't bear seeing her, reminding him each day of her mother and his lost love. He contacted his siter-in-law and made arrangements to send a fair amount of money each year for her care. He also committed himself to pay for education and any other expense she may incur.
Dora's Aunt Sarah was somewhat compassionate and felt the additional money would aid her and her two daughters, as well as help her niece. Her eldest daughter, Eugenia, was very selfish and had other ideas. She convinved her mother to never allow Dora to know of the money, nor write to Uncle Nat. Instead Eugenia responded to his generous allowance and inferred that Dora couldn't take the time to write and was ungrateful. Thus, Uncle Nat had a poor opininion of Dora...and yes, this is a somewhat different twist to the ever popular 'Cinderella' story.
Mr. Hastings is the one who found Dora nearly frozen, lying next to her dead mother. He had observed her and her mother's situation for quite some time. He admired them both tremendously. He sought the help of his mother and sister in giving her shelter and food until they could contact her guardan and aunt to give her a home. Mr Hastings had told his fiance' of his observances and finally of the tragic end. After that, he lost tract of the girl.
An elaborate home on the hill, in the small town Dora lived in with her relatives, had been vacant for years. Dora was seventeen when someone bought it to live in with his new wife....Mr Hastings, if coourse!
Eugenia, putting on social aires, befriended his wife, then the story builds from there.
Even though the ending is somewhat predictable, the emotional roller-coaster is strong throughout the story. It only drags slightly in places.
The writing style is exceptional. The classic tale is given a facinationg twist which, I feel, actually improves upon the original tale.
Key Points: Tragedy, despair, poverty, cruelty, deceit, compassion, befriending, acceptance, gratitude, selfishness/unselfishness, forgiveness, and revenge.
The book kept the reader's attention, plus, kept the suspense growing until the very end. The cover does not coinside with Dora's physical description. I feel it could have been created much more effectively. However, the cover is plain on most other editions. The character strenghts were consistent throughout the story. There was mostly a solid "flow" throught the tale. It was very"cleanly" written. Safe for family reading. Even for older elementary children.
My review of this book deems it worthy of a solid Four and 1/2 Stars rating.
She was left with only a widowed aunt with two daughters, and an uncle somewhere in India. Her Uncle Nat had left for India after his brother married the girl he had been in love with for years. His brother was closer to her age and they fell in love. He could not bear seeing her with any other man so fled to Europe and soon established a profitable business in India where he remanined. He was to be Dora's guardian but felt he couldn't bear seeing her, reminding him each day of her mother and his lost love. He contacted his siter-in-law and made arrangements to send a fair amount of money each year for her care. He also committed himself to pay for education and any other expense she may incur.
Dora's Aunt Sarah was somewhat compassionate and felt the additional money would aid her and her two daughters, as well as help her niece. Her eldest daughter, Eugenia, was very selfish and had other ideas. She convinved her mother to never allow Dora to know of the money, nor write to Uncle Nat. Instead Eugenia responded to his generous allowance and inferred that Dora couldn't take the time to write and was ungrateful. Thus, Uncle Nat had a poor opininion of Dora...and yes, this is a somewhat different twist to the ever popular 'Cinderella' story.
Mr. Hastings is the one who found Dora nearly frozen, lying next to her dead mother. He had observed her and her mother's situation for quite some time. He admired them both tremendously. He sought the help of his mother and sister in giving her shelter and food until they could contact her guardan and aunt to give her a home. Mr Hastings had told his fiance' of his observances and finally of the tragic end. After that, he lost tract of the girl.
An elaborate home on the hill, in the small town Dora lived in with her relatives, had been vacant for years. Dora was seventeen when someone bought it to live in with his new wife....Mr Hastings, if coourse!
Eugenia, putting on social aires, befriended his wife, then the story builds from there.
Even though the ending is somewhat predictable, the emotional roller-coaster is strong throughout the story. It only drags slightly in places.
The writing style is exceptional. The classic tale is given a facinationg twist which, I feel, actually improves upon the original tale.
Key Points: Tragedy, despair, poverty, cruelty, deceit, compassion, befriending, acceptance, gratitude, selfishness/unselfishness, forgiveness, and revenge.
The book kept the reader's attention, plus, kept the suspense growing until the very end. The cover does not coinside with Dora's physical description. I feel it could have been created much more effectively. However, the cover is plain on most other editions. The character strenghts were consistent throughout the story. There was mostly a solid "flow" throught the tale. It was very"cleanly" written. Safe for family reading. Even for older elementary children.
My review of this book deems it worthy of a solid Four and 1/2 Stars rating.
July 27, 2013
Another classic Holmes.
February 19, 2011
I just love this author and this time period.
July 13, 2016
Review to come
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews