Double Trouble; Or, Every Hero His Own Villain

by Herbert Quick

"Double Trouble; Or, Every Hero His Own Villain" by Herbert Quick is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story centers around Florian Amidon, a respectable banker with artistic aspirations, who undergoes a mysterious transformation that leads to an existential crisis regarding his identity and experiences. The narrative is a mix of psychological intrigue and social commentary in a charming setting. At the start of the book, Florian Amidon is preparing for a brief getaway, mentally wrestling with the mundane pressures of his banking life. His departure is marked by anxious farewells and hints of an internal struggle. Upon awakening in a moving train, he finds himself in the guise of another man, Eugene Brassfield, with no memory of the five years that have elapsed. The poignant opening establishes a sense of disorientation as Florian comes to grips with his new reality—one filled with unexpected connections, a fiancée named Elizabeth, and a mysterious relationship with a woman named Madame le Claire, all of which compel him to confront the remnants of his previous life.