Subject
Banks and banking -- Fiction Books
Best books
Stanley John Weyman
Ovington's Bank
"Ovington's Bank" by Stanley John Weyman is a novel published in 1922. Set during the British Panic of 1825, the story follows two English communities as a banking crisis threatens to destroy their way of life. Weyman explores the clash between traditional landed gentry and the rising business class, as customers' panic endangers a carefully run bank. This tale of honesty, love, and social transformation depicts how fear and self-interest can drive even solvent institutions toward ruin during financial turmoil.
Allen Kim Lang
Cinderella Story
"Cinderella Story" by Allen Kim Lang is a satirical science fiction narrative penned in the early 1960s. The book examines themes of identity, espionage, and the absurdity of modern institutions through the lens of a quirky banking environment. It follows the experiences of Orison McCall, a government spy tasked with uncovering the secrets of an eccentric bank that hides its operations behind a peculiar façade. In the story, Orison begins her new job at the William Howard Taft National Bank, where she finds a surreal atmosphere characterized by bizarre staff behavior, including the mandatory use of earmuffs. As she navigates her role of reading newspapers into a microphone, she becomes entangled in a conspiracy involving the bank, which is secretly operated by extraterrestrial forces led by the enigmatic Dink Gerding. Following a series of comedic and dramatic encounters with various characters, including Dink’s unhinged brother Kraft and the flamboyant Auga Vingt, Orison learns that the bank's true purpose involves counterfeiting and an imperial agenda. Ultimately, the narrative culminates in a blend of humor and intrigue as Orison grapples with her evolving feelings for Dink and the implications of their shared fate as potential rulers of a galactic empire.
Mary Jane Holmes
The Merivale banks
"The Merivale Banks" by Mary Jane Holmes is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around two competing banks in the small town of Merivale—the First National Bank, run by the arrogant Judge White, and the newly established Grey Bank, headed by the likable Mr. Grey. The narrative appears to explore themes of class distinction, rivalry, and the dynamics of social status, particularly through the experiences of the judge's son, Herbert White, and Louie Grey, the banker’s daughter. At the start of the novel, the scene is set with a detailed description of the two banks side by side, illustrating the pride of Judge White in his institution and wealth. The characters are introduced, particularly the contrasting personalities of Judge White and Mr. Grey, highlighting the judge's haughty demeanor and obsession with pedigree versus Mr. Grey’s more affable and down-to-earth nature. As the story unfolds, tension escalates with a banking crisis that leads to a run on the First National Bank, spurred by jealousy and rumors, prompting Louie to take bold action to save both banks. The opening establishes the intricate relationships and conflicts that will likely drive the plot forward.
Recently surfaced classics