Subject
Egoism -- Fiction Books
Best books
Henry James
The Beast in the Jungle
"The Beast in the Jungle" by Henry James is a novella published in 1903. It tells the story of John Marcher, a man obsessed with the belief that his life is destined for some catastrophic, spectacular event lurking in his future like a beast. His fixation prevents him from truly living or accepting the love of May Bartram, who patiently accompanies him through the years. This psychological parable explores loneliness, fate, and the tragic consequences of waiting for life instead of embracing it.
George Meredith
The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative
"The Egoist: A Comedy in Narrative" by George Meredith is a tragicomical novel published in 1879. The story centers on the self-absorbed Sir Willoughby Patterne and his troubled pursuit of marriage. After being jilted by his first bride-to-be, he wavers between two women: the sentimental Laetitia Dale and the strong-willed Clara Middleton. The novel follows Clara's struggle to escape her engagement to Willoughby, who sees women merely as mirrors for himself, dramatizing the constraints faced by women in Victorian society.
E. M. Delafield
The heel of Achilles
"The Heel of Achilles" by E. M. Delafield is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the character Lydia Raymond, a precocious and introspective twelve-year-old orphan who faces the complications of her new life with her aunts and grandfather after her mother’s death. The narrative explores themes of individuality, grief, and the quest for autonomy within the confines of family expectations and the rigidity of social norms. The opening of the novel introduces Lydia as she reflects on her status as an orphan, revealing her feelings of neglect amid the well-intended but suffocating care of her relatives. As the chapters unfold, Lydia grapples with the attention of her family members who are more concerned about their grief than her own feelings. The text provides a rich backdrop of early 20th-century British society, showcasing Lydia's keen observations about her relatives' behaviors and expectations. Through her experiences, we witness her attempts to carve out her own identity while navigating the complex dynamics of her new household, underlining her journey of self-discovery and assertion against the backdrop of familial obligations.
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