Subject
Great Britain -- Politics and government -- Fiction Books
Best books
H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
The New Machiavelli
"The New Machiavelli" by H. G. Wells is a novel published in 1911. It follows Richard Remington, a brilliant politician consumed by dreams of reshaping England's social order. Rising from Cambridge scholar to influential parliamentarian, he navigates the competing worlds of Liberal socialism and Conservative politics. But when a passionate affair with a young Oxford graduate threatens everything, Remington must choose between his political ambitions and personal desires. A controversial work that sparked literary scandal, the novel explores politics, sex, and the hypocrisy of Edwardian morality.
G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton
The Flying Inn
"The Flying Inn" by G. K. Chesterton is a novel published in 1914. Set in a future England dominated by Progressive Islam and temperance laws, the story follows Humphrey Pump and Captain Patrick Dalroy as they travel the countryside with a barrel of rum, exploiting legal loopholes to evade prohibition. While the rich obtain alcohol through medical certificates, the poor are denied access. The heroes ultimately confront an Islamic military coup threatening the nation.
Ernest Bramah
The Secret of the League: The Story of a Social War
"The Secret of the League: The Story of a Social War" by Ernest Bramah is a dystopian novel published in 1907. Written after Labour's electoral gains, it imagines a future where the Labour Party wins overwhelming power in Britain. An upper-class cabal secretly plots to overthrow the democratically elected government through economic sabotage and civil war. George Orwell credited the book with predicting the rise of Fascism while revealing the brutal measures the middle classes might condone when threatened with revolution.
Hilaire Belloc
Mr. Clutterbuck's Election
"Mr. Clutterbuck's Election" by Hilaire Belloc is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story is centered on the character of Mr. Clutterbuck, a businessman navigating the social and financial challenges of his time, particularly against the backdrop of the Second Boer War in South Africa. The narrative delves into themes of wealth, social standing, and the intricacies of commercial relationships. The opening of the novel introduces us to Mr. Clutterbuck, who has transitioned from a modest livelihood to a more affluent lifestyle through various business negotiations. Set during a tumultuous period marked by war and economic shifts, Mr. Clutterbuck's humble beginnings and subsequent rise in fortune are highlighted, as is his interaction with a neighbor, Mr. Boyle, who presents him with a peculiar business proposition involving a million eggs amid a time of crisis. The chapter also reveals glimpses of Clutterbuck's home life, particularly his relationship with his wife, establishing a contrast between his commercial ambitions and domestic challenges. The beginning sets the stage for Clutterbuck's journey through the complexities of business, personal integrity, and societal expectations.
Hilaire Belloc
A Change in the Cabinet
"A Change in the Cabinet" by Hilaire Belloc is a political novel written in the early 20th century. The story introduces readers to Sir T. Charles Repton, a respected and industrious politician in the British Cabinet during March 1915. The narrative explores themes of politics, social position, and the intricacies of personal ambition as it unfolds the lives of various characters entangled within the fabric of governance and societal expectations. The opening of the work presents Sir Charles as a man deeply engaged in his political duties, providing a glimpse into his morning routine as he navigates the complexities of both his professional commitments and personal life. The narrative elaborates on Repton's role as Warden of the Court of Dowry and his connections to influential figures, contrasting his dedication to his responsibilities with the pressures and expectations placed upon him by society, particularly his wife, Lady Maria Repton. Additionally, the chapter hints at emerging tensions in the backdrop of British politics and introduces other characters like George Mulross Demaine, suggesting intersecting storylines that delve into the personal sacrifices and social maneuvering inherent in political life.
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