The Autobiography of Mark Rutherford, Edited

by William Hale White

The "Autobiography of Mark Rutherford" is a novel written by William Hale White under the pseudonym Mark Rutherford. It is a fictionalized autobiography that tells the story of a man named Mark Rutherford, who is based on the author himself. The novel follows Rutherford's life from his childhood in a strict Calvinist family, through his struggles with faith and his eventual conversion to a more liberal form of Christianity. It also explores his experiences as a writer and his relationships with the people in his life. The "Autobiography of Mark Rutherford" is a thoughtful and introspective work, exploring themes such as faith, doubt, and personal identity. It is a testament to the power of literature to provide insight into the human condition and to help us make sense of our lives.

88 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1881

About the author

William Hale White, known by his pseudonym Mark Rutherford, was a British writer and civil servant.

Reviews

[holls · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading his perspective on life experiences that still trouble us today. It was interesting reading about the daily life and experiences of someone from 100+ years ago. I wish it didn’t end so abruptly and I got to hear more of his story and enjoy a conclusion from him personally.

[Leslie Reiber · Rating 4 out of 5]

a compelling read for students of Victorian literature. Deals with religious dissent and class issues.

[Yibbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's the story of a soul cut free from any anchor. He chose to turn from a belief in the solid Word of God and floundered badly in a hopeless philosophy he created for himself. It's a very clear look at the despair of those who turn from the revealed God of the Bible, but it is utterly without hope.
White writes very well. His descriptions of the times and the places he was familiar with are very clear and interesting, but the hopelessness is so clear.
I haven't read the sequels to this, but if they continue on in this vein it's not worth the read.