Subject
Greed -- Fiction Books
Best books
P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse
Money for nothing
"Money for Nothing" by P. G. Wodehouse is a novel published in 1928. When diffident estate manager John Carroll falls for Pat Wyvern, she rejects him for lacking backbone. Meanwhile, his miserly uncle Lester Carmody becomes entangled with a trio of fraudsters who devise a scheme to steal family heirlooms and claim the insurance—"money for nothing." As burglaries unfold and romantic complications multiply at Rudge Hall, John must find the courage to confront criminals and win Pat's heart.
Hilaire Belloc
The Mercy of Allah
"The Mercy of Allah" by Hilaire Belloc is a narrative work, likely composed in the early 20th century. The book tells an intriguing tale of a wealthy merchant named Mahmoud, who, despite his affluence, is portrayed as having complex perspectives on wealth, fortune, and divine providence. It appears to explore themes around the nature of riches, personal accountability, and the enigmatic workings of fate, possibly rooted in a Middle Eastern cultural context. The beginning of the narrative introduces Mahmoud, a successful merchant in Baghdad during the days of Abd-er-Rahman. As he recounts his life story to his seven nephews, he shares insights on the nature of fortune and misfortune, confessing that wealth is not easily attainable and is often dependent on "the Mercy of Allah." As he narrates, Mahmoud reflects on his humble beginnings and narrates the whims of luck that have shaped his journey, hinting at lessons learned from his experiences with greed and providence. The opening sets the stage for a series of adventures that promise to blend humor with deeper philosophical reflections on wealth and moral integrity.
B. Traven
Der Schatz der Sierra Madre
"Der Schatz der Sierra Madre" by B. Traven is an adventure novel published in 1927. In 1920s Mexico, two destitute American drifters team up with an experienced prospector named Howard to search for gold in the remote mountains. As they pursue their fortune, Howard warns them that discovering gold in quantity corrupts men's souls and awakens insatiable greed. Dobbs insists he would be content with modest wealth, but the old prospector quietly doubts him. Their expedition unfolds against a backdrop of exploitation, revolution, and legendary mines cursed by bloody histories.
Jules Verne
La chasse au météore
"La chasse au météore" by Jules Verne is a novel written in 1901 and published posthumously in 1908. The story follows two rival amateur astronomers in a small American town who both claim discovery of a new meteor. When the meteor proves to be made of solid gold, their competition intensifies. Meanwhile, an eccentric inventor develops a device capable of controlling where the precious celestial object will fall. More social satire than science fiction, the novel lampoons human greed, obsession, and vanity.
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