The White People

 

Title The White People
Author Frances Hodgson Burnett
Genre Children’s, Classic, Fantasy, Fiction, Supernatural
Format Digital

 

92 Total Pages

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Book Description

“The White People” (1917) by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a novella that delves into themes of spirituality and the supernatural. The story follows Ysobel, a young girl living in remote Scotland, who possesses the unique ability to see “the white people”—ethereal beings that others cannot perceive. Raised in the enchanting Muircarrie Castle, Ysobel’s life is marked by mystery and isolation, leading her to question the nature of life, death, and her own existence. This introspective tale reflects Burnett’s later-life interest in spiritualism and Theosophy.

 

About Author

Frances Hodgson Burnett

Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849–1924) was an English-American author, best known for her children’s novels. Born in Manchester, England, she immigrated to the United States with her family in 1865 after her father’s death. Burnett’s early life was marked by financial struggles, but she found success as a writer, publishing short stories and novels in magazines.

She is perhaps most famous for her beloved children’s books Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886), A Little Princess (1905), and The Secret Garden (1911). These works, with their themes of transformation, kindness, and resilience, made Burnett a household name. The Secret Garden, in particular, has remained a classic, cherished for its portrayal of a lonely girl discovering the healing power of nature and friendship.

Burnett’s works often emphasize the importance of family, social mobility, and inner strength. Her writing also reflected her own struggles with personal hardship, as she faced financial difficulties and the tragic loss of her son, which deeply affected her.

Though she started her career writing for adults, her later works, especially those for children, cemented her place as one of the most popular and enduring writers of children’s literature. Burnett’s ability to blend fantasy with realistic themes and her deep understanding of the emotional lives of children continue to endear her books to readers of all ages.

She spent the later years of her life living in both the United States and England and died in 1924 in Plattsville, Florida.