The Athelings; or, the Three Gifts is an absorbing story that revolves around the Atheling family. It focuses mainly on the three young siblings, Agnes, Marion, and Charlie. All three of them have a unique gift that makes them special. Agnes is a prolific writer, Marion has enchanting beauty, and Charlie finds his gift as the story moves forward. The novel is told chiefly from Agnes' point of view. She wrote a novel and found a publisher. Following her book's success, she and Marion get invited into society, which leads to some amusing experiences. On the side plot, Mr. Atheling inherited his aunt's place in the country and found the title questioned by an old enemy, Lord Winterbourne. The author introduces more intriguing characters and storylines after the family moves to the country. Marion and Agnes each have their own complicated love story. The novel is a work of fiction, but the part of the story dealing with Agnes's first novel was inspired by Margaret Oliphant's struggles as a young writer.