Children's books · 1908
The gates ajar
€25
One copy available · ships from the Netherlands within two working days
- First published
- 1868
- This copy printed
- 1908
- Language
- English
- Binding
- Paper wrappers
- Condition
- Fair — Well worn, a reading copy; any faults are described on request.
- Pages
- 248
About this work
The Gates Ajar is a religious novel by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps (later Elizabeth Phelps Ward) that was immensely popular following its publication and was the second best-selling religious novel of the 19th century. The novel is presented like a diary by its main protagonist, Mary Cabot, who mourns the death of her brother Royal. Much of the plot is presented as a dialogue about the afterlife between the two characters. The novel represents heaven as being similar to Earth, but better. In contrast with traditions of Calvinism, Phelps's version of heaven is corporeal where the dead have "spiritual bodies", live in houses, raise families, and participate in various activities.
