An independent daughter

"An independent daughter" by Amy Ella Blanchard is a novel written in the late 19th century. It centers on Persis Holmes, a warm, capable college graduate who aims to live independently—balancing study, work, travel, and duty—while moving through friendships, family ties, and early romances. The tone is domestic and social, with lively scenes, humor, and a thoughtful tug-of-war between home-making and modern aspirations. The opening of An independent daughter follows Persis through her final college days: teasing dorm antics, a pact with friends Patty and Nettie to be “The Cheerful Three,” a prank with a pillow manikin, and a moonlit serenade answered by candy lowered from a window. A lively cooking-club supper shows the book’s blend of fun and competence, as Patty’s bread wins a prize and Mr. Danforth, a steady family friend, quietly impresses. Class Day brings Persis’s graduation, flowers from Mr. Dan and Basil Phillips, and a conversation with an admiral that frames the story’s theme—independence versus traditional home life. Lisa’s elegant June wedding follows, with Persis’s mixed joy and sadness, hints of suitors in the circle, and the first real friction with younger sister Mellicent, whose vanity and defensiveness trouble the family. After a quarrel, Persis seeks her grandmother’s counsel and secretly arranges a Narragansett trip for Mellicent and Grandma, while accepting Aunt Esther’s invitation for her own summer journey.