Subject
Nobility -- Great Britain -- Fiction Books
Best books
Emmuska Orczy Orczy
The Elusive Pimpernel
"The Elusive Pimpernel" by Baroness Emmuska Orczy Orczy is a novel published in 1908. Set in September 1793, French agent Chauvelin plots his revenge against the legendary Scarlet Pimpernel. Using a young actress as bait, he lures Sir Percy Blakeney into an elaborate trap that forces him to France and lands his wife Marguerite in prison. With citizens threatened and escape seemingly impossible, Chauvelin believes he's finally cornered his elusive enemy in this classic adventure of deception and daring.
Emmuska Orczy Orczy
El Dorado: An Adventure of the Scarlet Pimpernel
"El Dorado: An Adventure of the Scarlet Pimpernel" by Baroness Emmuska Orczy Orczy is a novel published in 1913. This sequel to "The Scarlet Pimpernel" follows Sir Percy's daring mission to rescue the young Dauphin from revolutionary Paris in 1794. When Armand St. Just betrays Percy to save his beloved actress, the legendary hero finds himself imprisoned and tortured by his nemesis Chauvelin. Percy must use all his cunning to escape captivity and outwit his enemies in a desperate race to the coast.
Thomas Hardy
A Group of Noble Dames
"A Group of Noble Dames" by Thomas Hardy is a collection of short stories published in 1891. Ten members of a club gather to share tales of aristocratic women from the 17th and 18th centuries. Each storyteller—from a local historian to a surgeon to a churchwarden—reveals the dramatic lives and fates of these noble ladies. Framed as an evening's entertainment, the collection blends romance, tragedy, and the complexities of upper-class society across two centuries of English history.
H. Rider (Henry Rider) Haggard
Love Eternal
"Love Eternal" by H. Rider Haggard is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story delves into themes of love, identity, and societal expectations, primarily focusing on the lives of its main characters, Godfrey Knight and Isobel Blake, as they navigate their complex relationships against the backdrop of their familial and social backgrounds. The opening of the novel introduces Godfrey Knight and Isobel Blake, who are depicted as connected in a deeper, almost spiritual sense, despite their different upbringings. Godfrey, the son of a clergyman, struggles with his father's rigid moral expectations, while Isobel, raised by the bullying Mr. Blake, begins to rebel against traditional norms. As children, they share an early and innocent bond, but as they grow, external pressures arrive, imparting challenges to their relationship. Through incidents involving their respective parents and their interactions with one another, the narrative sets the stage for the conflict between societal roles and personal desires that will unfold throughout the story.
Charlotte M. Brame
Dora Thorne
"Dora Thorne" by Charlotte M. Brame is a romantic novel that likely dates back to the late 19th century. The story revolves around the intense love affair between Ronald Earle, the heir to the Earlescourt estate, and Dora Thorne, the daughter of the lodge keeper. The narrative explores themes of class, social expectations, and the struggle between love and duty as Ronald's father, Lord Earle, vehemently opposes the match due to Dora's lower social standing. The opening of the novel introduces an intense dialogue between Ronald and Lord Earle, where Lord Earle warns Ronald about the potential folly of marrying a "simple rustic." This exchange sets the stage for the central conflict of the story: Ronald's passionate desire to marry Dora, whom he views as pure and beautiful, against his father's expectations and societal norms. The two characters are depicted with strong emotions; Ronald displays youthful stubbornness fueled by love, while Lord Earle represents the stern, tradition-bound authority figure. The tension between love and societal constraints creates a rich backdrop for their challenges, signaling a tale rife with both romantic promise and looming tragedy.
Robert Barr
Lord Stranleigh Abroad
"Lord Stranleigh Abroad" by Robert Barr is a novel written in the early 20th century. It follows the adventures of Lord Stranleigh, also known as Edmund Trevelyan, as he embarks on a journey across the Atlantic aboard a grand liner, encountering various characters along the way, including a struggling gambler and a mysterious woman in distress. The narrative mixes elements of humor and social observation, highlighting the contrast between the aristocracy and common folk, as well as exploring themes of identity and personal growth. At the start of the story, Trevelyan is introduced as a well-dressed but somewhat aloof young man boarding a steamship destined for New York, accompanied by his disgruntled valet, Ponderby. Upon encountering the Hon. John Hazel, a known cardsharp who has fallen from grace, the two share a tense reunion as Lord Stranleigh expresses concern for his former friend’s well-being. Additionally, Stranleigh meets a distressed young woman who shares the Trevelyan family name; she reveals that she has lost her money and ticket and struggles to maintain her dignity and independence. The opening sets up an engaging social milieu on the ship, hinting at future entanglements and adventures as Stranleigh navigates his journey both physically and socially through unexpected encounters and budding relationships.
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