Subject
Mistresses -- Fiction Books
Best books
Theodore Dreiser
Sister Carrie: A Novel
"Sister Carrie: A Novel" by Theodore Dreiser is a novel published in 1900. It follows eighteen-year-old Caroline Meeber, who leaves small-town Wisconsin for Chicago seeking a better life. In the big city, she becomes involved with two men—a charming salesman and a married bar manager—while discovering her talent for acting. As Carrie rises toward fame and fortune, those around her face vastly different fates. The novel explores ambition, desire, and the pursuit of the American Dream in urban America.
Daniel Defoe
The Fortunate Mistress (Parts 1 and 2) or a History of the Life of Mademoiselle de Beleau Known by the Name of the Lady Roxana
"The Fortunate Mistress (Parts 1 and 2)" by Daniel Defoe is a novel published in 1724. When Roxana's reckless husband abandons her penniless with five children, she faces an impossible choice between virtue and survival. Through cunning and compromise, she ascends from desperate poverty to extraordinary wealth, becoming mistress to increasingly powerful men across Europe. But as fortunes rise through morally ambiguous choices, the past refuses to stay buried, threatening the carefully constructed life she has built through scandal and secrecy.
L. Adams (Lily Adams) Beck
The Divine Lady: A Romance of Nelson and Emma Hamilton
"The Divine Lady: A Romance of Nelson and Emma Hamilton" by L. Adams Beck is a historical romance novel written in the early 20th century. The book examines the tumultuous life of Emma Hamilton, an enchanting figure who became the muse of Admiral Lord Nelson, and explores themes of love, ambition, and social status during a complex period in British history. Through a rich narrative, it delves into Emma's struggles and triumphs as she navigates a world of exquisite beauty and heartbreak. The opening of the novel introduces Emma Hamilton as a passionate and captivating young woman who possesses an extraordinary beauty and an indomitable spirit. We witness her as she interacts with the people around her, contrasting her vibrant life with the judgment she faces from the society of her time. The narrative sets the stage for her encounters with influential men and the circumstances that lead her to become a prominent figure in British society. The reader is drawn into the emotional landscape of her relationships, particularly her connection with Charles Greville, who acknowledges her potential while being caught up in the societal constraints of the era. This beginning effectively lays the groundwork for a tale of ambition and the quest for identity amid the expectations of the upper class.
Willa Cather
Alexander's Bridge
"Alexander's Bridge" by Willa Cather is a novel first published in 1912. Bartley Alexander is a world-renowned bridge builder caught in a midlife crisis. Though married to Winifred in Boston, he rekindles a romance with former lover Hilda Burgoyne in London. Torn between two worlds, Bartley struggles with guilt and honor as his double life unravels. Meanwhile, a bridge project in Canada demands his attention, setting the stage for a devastating convergence of personal and professional crises.
Theodore Dreiser
Sister Carrie
"Sister Carrie" by Theodore Dreiser is a novel published in 1900 about a young woman who leaves rural Wisconsin for Chicago in pursuit of the American Dream. Eighteen-year-old Caroline Meeber becomes entangled with two men—a charming salesman and a married bar manager—as she navigates the harsh realities of urban life. Through chance and ambition, she discovers her talent for acting and begins her ascent to stardom, while those around her face dramatically different fates in the unforgiving big city.
Clarence Louis Cullen
The Eddy: A Novel of To-day
"The Eddy: A Novel of Today" by Clarence Louis Cullen is a novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the character Mrs. Treharne, a haggard and troubled woman who yearns for a son but finds herself grappling with the impending return of her daughter, Louise, from finishing school. The narrative explores themes of maternal anxiety, societal expectations, and the secrets that come to light in the wake of Louise's unexpected arrival home. At the start of the book, the character dynamics are established through Mrs. Treharne's interactions with her friend Laura and her maid Heloise. Mrs. Treharne expresses her frustration and fears about Louise coming home for good, revealing her insecurities about being a mother in a disordered household. The opening presents an unhappy home life, punctuated by Mrs. Treharne's concerns about her evident shortcomings and the looming judgment her daughter will bring into their unseemly social circle. Meanwhile, Louise emerges as a thoughtful young woman eager for connection, returning to a mother she feels she barely knows, setting the stage for the exploration of their complicated relationship as the story unfolds.
George Cochrane Hazelton
Mistress Nell: A Merry Tale of a Merry Time
"Mistress Nell: A Merry Tale of a Merry Time" by George Cochrane Hazelton is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative centers around the lively and enchanting character of Nell Gwyn, a celebrated actress and mistress of King Charles II, immersing readers in the vibrant life of Restoration-era England. The book mixes fact and fiction, highlighting the frivolous and often chaotic court life, as well as Nell’s rise from a humble orange seller to a beloved figure in the arts and royal circles. The opening of the story introduces the reader to the exuberance of 17th century London under King Charles II, where Nell Gwyn shines as a key figure in the entertainment of the court. The lively scenes unfold in a busy theater setting, where Nell captivates audiences with her wit and beauty, immediately earning their admiration. As voice and laughter fill the air, various nobles vie for Nell’s attention, setting the stage for the intrigue and romantic tensions that characterize her relationships. The narrative hints at the complexity of court life and how Nell navigates her newfound fame while fostering connections with influential figures like the Duke of Buckingham and the King himself.
Robert Hamerling
Aspasia
"Aspasia" by Robert Hamerling is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The narrative centers around Aspasia, a remarkable woman of ancient Athens, who captivates those around her with her extraordinary beauty and intellect, influencing prominent figures such as Pericles and other influential men of her time. The novel presents a portrait of Athenian society, interweaving themes of art, politics, and the moral dilemmas faced by its characters. The opening of the story introduces us to the vibrant atmosphere of ancient Athens as a stunning young woman, accompanied by a slave, strides confidently through the Agora, drawing the attention and admiration of passersby. This woman is identified as Aspasia, whose presence causes a stir amongst the men, reflecting on societal attitudes towards women of her status. Among the crowd, we meet Pericles and Phidias, pivotal figures who engage in discussions about the construction of the city and its artistic future. Their dialogue reveals their ambitions and the dynamics of Athenian society in a post-war context, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of the interplay between beauty, power, and the cultural legacy of their time.
Robert Hamerling
Aspasia : $b A romance of art and love in ancient Hellas
“Aspasia: A Romance of Art and Love in Ancient Hellas” by Robert Hamerling is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The book focuses on ancient Greece, blending themes of art, politics, and romance, with central figures drawn both from historical record and imaginative reconstruction. The probable main characters include Pericles, the influential Athenian statesman, and Aspasia, the intriguing Milesian woman renowned for her beauty and intellect. The novel appears to explore the intersections of personal and national destiny, with the flourishing of Greek art, the conflicts of moral and aesthetic values, and the magnetic attraction between gifted individuals as key elements. The opening of “Aspasia” sets the scene in bustling, resurgent Athens during the age of Pericles. It introduces a cast of prominent Athenians—Pericles the statesman, Phidias the sculptor, and others in their intellectual circle—against a detailed backdrop of public life, ongoing artistic achievements, and the arrival of the Delian League’s treasure. The focus sharpens on a striking, unnamed woman (later revealed as Aspasia), whose presence stirs both fascination and artistic rivalry. The narrative moves from the city’s vibrant agora to a contest between sculptors, where debates about the nature of beauty, the divine, and the political responsibilities of art unfold. The section closes by shifting to Pericles’ household, revealing tensions between public duty and private life, as well as introducing other key figures such as Pericles’ wife Telesippe and the philosopher Anaxagoras. The early chapters establish the layered interplay between historical circumstance, artistic ambition, philosophical dialogue, and the personal entanglements at the heart of Athenian society.
Eugene Walter
The easiest way : $b a story of metropolitan life
"The Easiest Way: A Story of Metropolitan Life" by Eugene Walter and Arthur Hornblow is a novel written during the early 20th century. The narrative revolves around the life of Laura Murdock, a young woman of dubious virtue attempting to redeem her past while navigating the complexities of love, ambition, and societal expectations in a bustling urban landscape. This tale captures the intricacies of her relationships and the choices she faces in her pursuit of a more respectable life. The opening of this novel sets the stage in the vibrant nightlife of New York City, where a flock of theatergoers spills onto the streets after a performance. Among a rich tapestry of characters, we are introduced to two men—John Madison and Glenn Warner—who are about to delve into the city's hedonistic pleasures. John is a green but perceptive young reporter freshly arrived from a rural background, while Warner is more worldly and familiar with the city's sordid underbelly. Their interaction hints at deeper themes of innocence versus experience, as John unwittingly becomes entwined with Laura Murdock, the clever but morally ambiguous actress they discuss. This initial chapter lays the groundwork for Laura's complex character and her intertwining relationships, emphasizing the allure and the danger of the metropolitan lifestyle.
Eduard Vilde
Mäenkylän maitomies: Romaani
"Mäenkylän maitomies: Romaani" by Eduard Vilde is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story is set in a rural environment and introduces us to Ulrik von Kremer, a somewhat curmudgeonly landlord who oversees his modest estate and its meager operations. Through his perspective, the novel explores themes of aging, isolation, and the struggles of life in a declining manor, particularly focusing on Ulrik's routine interactions with the land and the people around him. The opening of the novel paints a vivid picture of Ulrik von Kremer's daily life as he takes solitary walks around his estate, reflecting on its deteriorating state and his own advancing age. We see Ulrik's habitual nature revealed through his attire and interactions with the scarce, but colorful characters of his surroundings. As he observes his surroundings and engages in daily chores, a sense of longing and frustration with his own loneliness develops. The arrival of a new character, Mari, a young woman associated with the nearby Prillup family, begins to stir emotional and romantic feelings within Ulrik, hinting at potential changes in his stagnant life. This early portion establishes a rich atmosphere and introduces critical tensions that suggest deeper explorations of relationships and personal transformation as the story unfolds.
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