Subject
Millionaires -- Fiction Books
Best books
Arnold Bennett
The Grand Babylon Hôtel
"The Grand Babylon Hôtel" by Arnold Bennett is a novel published in 1902. When American millionaire Theodore Racksole buys London's most exclusive hotel on a whim, he expects luxury—not mystery. His purchase unleashes a chain of bizarre events: a winking headwaiter, a vanishing clerk, a missing German prince, and a poisoned body that disappears. As Racksole and his daughter Nella investigate, they uncover an international conspiracy lurking beneath the hotel's elegant facade. This suspenseful tale blends intrigue, danger, and adventure within the glamorous world of high society.
Marie Corelli
The Sorrows of Satan or, The Strange Experience of One Geoffrey Tempest, Millionaire: A Romance
"The Sorrows of Satan" by Marie Corelli is a Faustian novel published in 1895. Geoffrey Tempest, a starving author, suddenly inherits a fortune and befriends the charismatic aristocrat Lucio—who is actually the Devil in disguise. As Tempest's wealth brings only misery, the novel explores Satan's own yearning for salvation and redemption. This controversial bestseller critiques Victorian society's moral bankruptcy while mixing Christian themes with popular ideas like reincarnation and Theosophy. Despite savage criticism from literary circles, it became one of the world's first bestsellers.
Anita Loos
"Gentlemen prefer blondes" : $b The illuminating diary of a professional lady
"Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: The Illuminating Diary of a Professional Lady" by Anita Loos is a comic novel published in 1925. The story chronicles Lorelei Lee, a blonde gold-digger navigating Jazz Age America with cunning charm and materialistic ambition. From New York penthouses to European escapades, Lorelei pursues wealthy men and expensive jewels while recording her adventures in diary form. This satirical tale captures the hedonism and excess of 1920s society through the eyes of an unforgettable flapper.
George Barr McCutcheon
Brewster's Millions
"Brewster's Millions" by George Barr McCutcheon is a comedic novel written in 1902. Montgomery Brewster inherits one million dollars from his grandfather, but a second inheritance offers seven million—if he can spend the first million within one year, keeping nothing. The challenge proves surprisingly difficult under strict conditions: he must show business sense, limit gambling and charity, and keep the arrangement secret. As friends try to curb his spending and investments accidentally multiply his wealth, Brewster races against time while risking love and reputation.
Abraham Cahan
The Rise of David Levinsky
"The Rise of David Levinsky" by Abraham Cahan is a novel published in 1917. It tells the story of a Russian Jewish immigrant's journey from abject poverty to wealth in America. Born in the Russian Empire, David loses his mother to violence and abandons his Talmudic studies to pursue a new life. He arrives in New York as a penniless greenhorn, slowly shedding his old-world ways while navigating love, labor, and the promises of his adopted homeland.
Alfredo Panzini
Io cerco moglie! Romanzo
"Io cerco moglie!" by Alfredo Panzini is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story introduces Cavalier Ginetto Sconer, who humorously grapples with the idea of marriage while navigating the complexities of societal expectations and personal desires. It reflects Sconer's quest for a wife while detailing his unique personality and the various women he considers suitable for marriage, highlighting both superficial and deeper qualities. At the start of the narrative, Ginetto Sconer presents himself as a well-mannered and financially stable gentleman, ready to seek a wife primarily for securing his lineage. He jests about his own character traits and life choices while engaging with the absurdities of modern courtship. His conversations with his friend Lionello unveil his criteria for a potential spouse, which range from physical attributes to moral qualities. The opening sets a comedic yet introspective tone as Sconer begins to compile a list of candidates, revealing both the societal expectations of marriage and his own apprehensions about finding a suitable partner amidst the colorful personalities he encounters.
Booth Tarkington
The Beautiful Lady
"The Beautiful Lady" by Booth Tarkington is a novel written during the early 20th century. The book dives into themes of identity, social class, and the human condition through the lens of a young man who finds himself in a humiliating position as a living advertisement in Paris. The narrative unfolds in a city characterized by both beauty and cruelty, reflecting the contrasts that shape the experiences of its characters. The story revolves around the protagonist, Raffaele Ansolini, who, in desperation and poverty, takes a job at the Theatre Folie-Rouge as a sandwich-man, sporting a painted advertisement on his bald head. He is subjected to ridicule and mirthful observations from the Parisian crowds, which only serve to deepen his sense of shame. Amidst this ordeal, he encounters a kind-hearted American lady who shows him compassion, igniting his infatuation. As the plot progresses, Raffaele's life intersects with that of Lambert R. Poor Jr., a wealthy American youth, and the beautiful lady, setting off a series of events that explore love, loyalty, and the quest for dignity. Ultimately, the story culminates in themes of redemption and self-acceptance, transcending the superficial judgments imposed by society.
Terry Southern
The Magic Christian
"The Magic Christian" by Terry Southern is a comic novel published in 1959. It follows Guy Grand, an eccentric billionaire who devotes his fortune to staging elaborate practical jokes designed to prove one cynical theory: everyone has their price. From disrupting live television to contaminating luxury products to building walls around piles of money mixed with filth, Grand orchestrates increasingly outrageous schemes that test the limits of human dignity and greed. His ultimate prank unfolds aboard a luxury liner reserved exclusively for the super-rich.
David Graham Phillips
The Master Rogue: The Confessions of a Croesus
"The Master Rogue: The Confessions of a Crœsus" by David Graham Phillips is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows a determined and ambitious man who aspires to achieve great wealth and social status, navigating the corrupt and competitive landscape of business in New York. The protagonist, who recounts his rise to becoming a millionaire, grapples with ambition, betrayal, and the moral complexities that accompany his quest for power. The opening of the narrative introduces the main character, who reflects on his unwavering confidence that he would become a millionaire from a young age. He describes his journey from a clerk in a dry-goods house to general manager and eventual partner, underlining his ambition and drive. The protagonist reveals his disdain for his senior partner, Mr. Judson, and how this envy fuels his desires for wealth and dominance. A critical turning point arises when he discovers that Judson is financially entangled, presenting an opportunity for the protagonist to seize control of the business. This sets the stage for further moral dilemmas and conflicts as he navigates his path to wealth and the subsequent impact on his family and relationships.
Nicholas (House name) Carter
Nick Carter Stories No. 135. April 10, 1915; Straight to the Goal; Or, Nick Carter's Queer Challenge
"Nick Carter Stories No. 135: Straight to the Goal; Or, Nick…." is a serialized adventure story written in the early 20th century. The narrative follows the renowned detective Nick Carter, along with his assistants, as they embark on a perilous mission to rescue a kidnapped young man from a mystical city governed by a sinister high priest. The tale introduces themes of bravery, cunning, and the battle between good and evil as the characters confront various dangers and unravel a plot that involves supernatural elements. At the start of the story, a spear arrives in the camp where Nick Carter and his companions are stationed, delivering a message signaling the capture of Leslie Arnold, the son of a wealthy shipowner. The spear is accompanied by a necktie belonging to Leslie, prompting an urgent discussion among the group about their rescue mission. Despite the dangers lurking in the city of Shangore, Nick Carter's unwavering resolve leads them to prepare for a daring confrontation with the priest Calaman and the monstrous Golden Scarab. As the narrative unfolds, tensions rise as they navigate traps, threats, and rituals amid a corrupt regime, setting the stage for an intense confrontation filled with suspense.
W. B. M. (William Blair Morton) Ferguson
The Black Company : $b A mystery story
No description available.
Edgar Wallace
The clue of the new pin
"The Clue of the New Pin" by Edgar Wallace is a mystery novel likely written in the early 20th century. The narrative unfolds in a bustling city setting, focusing on a complex web of characters revolving around the enigmatic Mr. Jesse Trasmere, a wealthy man whose death sparks intrigue and a plethora of intertwined stories involving theft, deception, and possibly murder. At the start of the book, we are introduced to Yeh Ling, the owner of a Chinese restaurant, and Jesse Trasmere, who lives a peculiar life marked by isolation and secretive dealings. Yeh Ling is engaged in clandestine meetings with Trasmere, revealing the latter's strange ties to the criminal underworld through his interactions with a man named Wellington Brown, who poses a threat to him. The opening portions set up a nocturnal atmosphere ripe with tension as Trasmere appears to be involved in something sinister, while at the same time, a young theatre reporter named Tab Holland inadvertently becomes entwined in the unfolding mystery surrounding Trasmere's death and the disappearance of actress Ursula Ardfern's jewels, hinting at a series of thrilling developments to come.
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