Subject
Newlyweds -- Fiction Books
Best books
Elizabeth Von Arnim
Introduction to Sally
"Introduction to Sally" by Elizabeth Von Arnim is a novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story centers around the characters Mr. and Mrs. Pinner and their daughter, Sally, exploring themes of beauty, anxiety, and familial dynamics. As Mr. Pinner grapples with his daughter’s extraordinary beauty and the complications it brings, we witness the unfolding of Sally’s life as she navigates her emerging identity amidst parental concerns and societal expectations. The opening portion introduces us to Mr. Pinner, a man driven by respectability and fear, who struggles with the challenges of his marriage and the beauty of his daughter, Sally. Despite initial hopes for parental stability, Mrs. Pinner's death thrusts the responsibility of raising Sally onto Mr. Pinner, who reacts by attempting to shield her from unwanted male attention that her beauty attracts. As Sally grows into a stunning young woman, her parents' fears intensify, leading to their decision to relocate in hope of achieving a quieter life. However, their troubles are exacerbated by the inevitable consequences of Sally's beauty, ultimately leading us to the exploration of familial love, anxiety, and the desire for autonomy.
Myrtle Reed
At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern
"At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern" by Myrtle Reed is a novel written in the early 20th century. Set against a backdrop of domestic life, the story follows newlyweds Dorothy and Harlan as they navigate their unexpected return to a peculiar mansion inherited from Harlan's Uncle Ebeneezer. The challenges they face in this unfamiliar and unconventional setting hint at deeper themes involving marriage, aspirations, and the quest for comfort in a home. At the start of the novel, Dorothy and Harlan arrive at the old Judson mansion during a storm, filled with excitement despite the gloomy atmosphere. As they explore the quirky architecture and the odd furniture, their contrasting perspectives become apparent; Dorothy is sensitive to beauty and dreams of a different life, while Harlan is more practical but increasingly aware of their financial limitations. Their interactions reveal the initial strains of their relationship, compounded by the eerie presence of an uninvited cat and the looming shadow of Uncle Ebeneezer's legacy. Amidst this setting, the couple contemplates their future and the expectations of married life, setting the stage for growth and discovery amidst the home's unsettling charm.
Joseph Samachson
No star's land
"No Star's Land" by William Morrison is a science fiction novel likely written in the mid-20th century. The narrative explores the theme of misperception regarding size and power, focusing on the plight of two newlywed astronauts, Jan and Karin, who become entangled in a cosmic conflict between two enormous stars. Through their experience, the author delves into the resilience of the human spirit when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. In the story, Jan and Karin find themselves marooned in space after their ship comes to an inexplicable halt while traversing the dangerous region between two battling stars. As they struggle to comprehend their situation and the mysterious forces at play, their relationship is tested amid the growing tension. They soon realize that the stars are engaged in a fierce battle, and they are trapped in the middle—akin to a bird caught in a battlefield. When all seems lost, Jan devises a daring plan that exploits the ignorance of the star entities, allowing them a chance to escape. Ultimately, this harrowing experience rekindles their bond, leading to a new understanding of love and partnership against the backdrop of cosmic chaos.
John Victor Peterson
The Gently Orbiting Blonde
"The Gently Orbiting Blonde" by John Victor Peterson is a science fiction short story published in the mid-20th century. The narrative blends elements of humor and science fiction, exploring themes of love, jealousy, and the unusual concept of anti-gravity. It captures a lighthearted take on a futuristic romantic entanglement set in a domestic environment where scientific experimentation leads to unexpected results. The story follows Bill Wright, who, on his wedding night, becomes so engrossed in his anti-gravity experiments that he inadvertently sets off a series of comedic events involving his new wife, Helene, and a fellow scientist, Gladys. As Helene leaves in frustration and returns with a package, Bill finds himself in a chaotic and humorous situation of orbiting alongside Gladys in their gravity-defying living room. The narrative escalates as Helene interrupts, leading to humorous confrontations and an exploration of the dynamics between the characters. Ultimately, the story concludes with Bill discovering a way to control the gravity, allowing them to navigate their adventures with a playful mix of romance and science.
James Bell
Thirty Degrees Cattywonkus
"Thirty Degrees Cattywonkus" by James Bell is a science fiction short story written in the mid-20th century, specifically in the 1960s. The narrative revolves around the peculiar circumstances faced by newlyweds Ernie Lane and Melinee, who recently moved into a mysterious, expansive house. The story delves into themes of alternate dimensions and reality, as the couple encounters an extra door that inexplicably appears and disappears, leading to a bizarre and surreal adventure tied to their identities and perceptions. The plot follows Ernie as he grapples with his perception of reality when he discovers a mysterious door in his new home, which he initially dismisses as a figment of his imagination. As he confronts the bizarre nature of his surroundings, he becomes entangled in an experiment conducted by beings from another dimension who have mistaken his home for a research site for their interdimensional exploration. The story culminates in Ernie’s struggle against the forces holding him in this alternate reality, leading to a chaotic resolution involving an explosion that ultimately restores the status quo but leaves lingering questions about identity and existence. The tale concludes with a twist that hints at the confusion between dimensions and the nature of Ernie's reality.
Frank N. (Frank Nash) Westcott
Hepsey Burke
"Hepsey Burke" by Frank N. Westcott is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Hepsey Burke, a strong and witty woman who takes an active role in her community while also navigating her own relationships and interactions, especially with the new rector, Donald Maxwell. The book explores themes of rural life, relationships, and the balance of tradition and modernity within a small-town setting. At the start of the story, we are introduced to Donald Maxwell, a young clergyman who arrives in the dilapidated village of Durford. He is met by Hepsey Burke, a lively and humorous local woman who is eager to ensure he feels welcome. Their initial conversation reveals Hepsey's candid nature and the challenges Maxwell might face in his new role, particularly navigating local expectations as well as personal dynamics. As Maxwell settles in, readers get a glimpse into the quirky community life, characterized by colorful characters like Hepsey and the dominating yet single-minded Senior Warden, Sylvester Bascom, setting the stage for both humor and conflict in the unfolding narrative.
Gaston Leroux
The new terror
"The new terror" by Gaston Leroux is a novel written in the early 20th century. It appears to be a romantic-psychological mystery with occult overtones, in which a devoted young man, Hector, sees his lifelong love for his cousin Cordélia undermined by an enigmatic English painter whose art exerts an uncanny influence. Themes of hypnotic suggestion, auras, and the idea of a “stolen heart” drive the tension as love, jealousy, and belief collide. The opening of the novel follows Hector from childhood betrothal to Cordélia through his American sojourn and return, where he senses a troubling change in her tied to her art and a mysterious painter. Summoned to the gloomy estate of Vascoeuil, he learns Cordélia and her father have been abroad, sees a shadowy man at Hennequeville, and then hastily marries Cordélia upon their return. At the wedding an unsigned gift arrives: a luminous portrait of Cordélia, clearly by the English painter “Patrick,” which radiates a strange power. That night Cordélia claims she is “as cold as the portrait,” speaks fervently of auras and suggestion, gazes on the painting, and falls into a rigid hypnotic sleep; a local doctor fails, but the specialist Dr. Thurel identifies hypnotic influence and, after blowing on the portrait’s eyes, rouses her. She wakes speaking as if she has shared a moonlit walk and a “golden chamber,” memories that do not match Hector’s reality. The next day she is loving yet altered, and on the second night she is again drawn to the moonlit park, asks Hector to recite Byron as if replaying another man’s words, begs him to save her, and collapses once more into rigidity—leaving Hector terrified that an unseen rival is directing her soul.
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