Subject
Novelists -- Fiction Books
Best books
George Van Schaick
A Top-Floor Idyl
"A Top-Floor Idyl" by George Van Schaick is a novel written in the early 20th century. It presents a slice-of-life narrative set in a New York boarding house, focusing on the lives of its diverse residents. The story revolves around David Cole, the protagonist, who interacts with various characters, including the painter Gordon McGrath, and the struggling young mother, Frances Dupont, as they navigate themes of friendship, love, and the complexities of city life. At the start of the story, we are introduced to David Cole during his fortieth birthday celebration with his friend Gordon. They discuss life, art, and the peculiar residents of David's top-floor abode, including Frances, a new occupant who is about to give birth and faces considerable hardship. As the narrative unfolds, David's kindness leads him to be deeply involved in Frances's situation, highlighting the connections and emotional ties that bind the characters together. The opening establishes a blend of humor and poignant reflection on human relationships in an urban setting, hinting at more significant developments to come as these individuals confront their personal struggles.
Edna Lyall
Derrick Vaughan, Novelist
"Derrick Vaughan, Novelist" by Edna Lyall is a fictional narrative written during the late 19th century. The story centers around Derrick Vaughan, a thoughtful and introspective young man with aspirations of becoming a novelist, navigating the trials of his personal life and artistic ambitions while dealing with the complexities of love, friendship, and familial loyalty. The opening of the novel introduces us to Sydney Wharncliffe, who intends to chronicle the life of his friend Derrick, countering the superficial notion that Derrick achieved fame effortlessly. We see Derrick as a child of great imagination and passion for storytelling, foreshadowing his development into a writer. The text reveals his close friendship with Sydney, revealing key moments from their childhood and school days, culminating in Derrick’s deep emotional struggles as he grapples with the burden of caring for his alcoholic father, Major Vaughan, and a love for a girl named Freda Merrifield. Their dynamic showcases themes of longing, the impact of family, and the pursuit of creative fulfillment amidst adversity, setting the stage for Derrick's challenges as he attempts to forge his identity and realize his dreams.
William Dean Howells
Fennel and Rue
"Fennel and Rue" by William Dean Howells is a novel written during the late 19th century. The story follows the character Philip Verrian, an author struggling to gain recognition for his work, as he deals with the complexities of fame, the literary world, and personal relationships while grappling with the unexpected correspondence from an admirer who writes to him about his serialized story. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Verrian's experience of finally achieving success after a long struggle for acceptance from editors, specifically through his serial publication in a magazine. This victory is marred by a letter he receives from a girl who, despite claiming to be a dying invalid, asks him to share the ending of his story. Following this correspondence, Verrian consults with his editor regarding the appropriateness of responding to her request. The letters become a source of tension, reflecting the intricacies of author-reader relationships and Verrian's own insecurities about his writing and identity. The opening of the novel sets the stage for themes of ambition, literary ethics, and the nature of romantic attraction amid the backdrop of literary fame.
William Dean Howells
The World of Chance
"The World of Chance" by William Dean Howells is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows Ray, a young man who has just left Midland behind to seek his fortune in New York City, filled with aspirations of becoming a successful author. As he navigates the challenges of the bustling metropolis, Ray grapples with his past and the uncertainty of his future, placing a heavy reliance on the success of the novel he is carrying with him. The beginning of the novel introduces Ray after a farewell dinner in Midland, where he reflects on his life, recent changes, and the support he has received from friends and colleagues. While on his journey to New York, he becomes invested in the lives of two young women he observes on the train, demonstrating his capacity for empathy and kindness. The narrative shifts from his inner thoughts to his interactions with the bustling city, where he contemplates his literary ambitions and the social landscape that awaits him. As he settles into the life of a hopeful author, Ray's experiences highlight both the excitement of new beginnings and the realities of pursuing a career in literature amidst the vibrant chaos of urban life.
Ellery Queen
The Roman hat mystery : $b A problem in deduction
"The Roman Hat Mystery: A Problem in Deduction" by Ellery Queen is a detective novel written in the early 20th century. It presents a classic closed-circle murder set in a Broadway theatre, where Inspector Richard Queen and his son Ellery investigate the poisoning of a notorious lawyer during a performance. The case hinges on rigorous deduction, suspiciously empty seats, and a missing tophat that turns into the puzzle’s signature clue. The opening of the novel frames the story with a foreword by a friend who recounts retrieving Ellery’s manuscript and sketches the father–son team’s complementary talents. The scene then shifts to the Roman Theatre during the gangster play “Gunplay,” where a commotion reveals an audience member—Monte Field—dead in his seat. Officer Doyle locks down the house; Inspector Queen and Ellery arrive, establish a tight time window (last seen alive around 9:25, found dead about 9:55), and note seven sold-but-empty nearby seats and a conspicuously missing top hat. Early inquiries produce a half-empty ginger-ale bottle (procured by orangeade boy Jess Lynch for Field), a flask, evidence pointing to fast-acting poison, and no gun or stab wound. Usher and doorman accounts suggest no straightforward comings and goings, while a known crook, “Parson” Johnny Cazzanelli, is caught trying to slip out, and Field’s former partner Benjamin Morgan is identified in the audience. The police begin collecting names and ticket stubs, order a painstaking search, and flag the missing hat as a critical lead, with a lexicon of characters and a theatre map signaling a fair-play, clue-driven investigation.
Michael Arlen
"Piracy" : $b A romantic chronicle of these days
"Piracy: A Romantic Chronicle of These Days" by Michael Arlen is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Ivor Pelham Marlay, a complex character grappling with feelings of loneliness and introspection as he navigates life in post-war London. The narrative appears to explore themes of love, identity, and societal expectations, reflecting the cultural shifts of the era. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Ivor Marlay, who sits alone at Mont Agel restaurant on the night of May 1, 1921. Engaged in deep contemplation, he reflects on his life, including the weight of his recent expulsion from school and the loss of his arm during the war. As he interacts with M. Stutz, the owner of the restaurant, Ivor's internal struggles about self-worth and belonging come to light. His loneliness is palpable, and despite being financially free, he grapples with the existential dread that accompanies such freedom, suggesting an ongoing quest for connection and purpose amidst the superficial glamor and chaos of London society.
Albert Ross
A New Sensation
"A New Sensation" by Albert Ross is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the main character, Donald Camran, who is recovering from an illness and contemplating a journey to the Caribbean. Seeking company, he decides to hire a female typewriter to assist with his writing and serve as a traveling companion, leading him to navigate the complexities of personal relationships and societal expectations. At the start of the novel, Donald is engaged in a conversation with his friends, who suggest he needs a "new sensation" to rejuvenate his spirit. After a failed marriage proposal, he resolves to take a trip and advertise for a typewriter to accompany him. The opening portion introduces his humorous and candid determination to embark on this unconventional journey while setting the stage for the exploration of his interactions with women, specifically the potential companions responding to his advertisement, including the intriguing letters he receives. The narrative establishes a blend of light-heartedness and introspection as Donald grapples with his past and the uncertainties of the impending journey.
Maurice Baring
Overlooked
"Overlooked" by Maurice Baring is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around a central character, Anthony Kay, who is encouraged by his friend, Doctor Kennaway, to write a novel while staying at a watering-place called Haréville. The character encounters various interesting individuals, including a novelist named James Rudd, who is struggling to find inspiration while trying to create a story about the lives and characters at Haréville. The narrative explores themes of unfulfilled potential and the nature of artistry as these characters navigate their personal lives in the context of their creative aspirations. At the start of the book, the protagonist reflects on the monotony and limited entertainment options of a spa town, particularly as a blind man. Following his arrival, he meets James Rudd, who expresses frustration at his inability to write, leading to a conversation about the potential inspiration from the local residents. Anthony becomes involved in discussions that border on the philosophical regarding a beautiful, elusive woman named Miss Brandon, who is being considered as a character for Rudd's new novel. As the characters engage in introspective dialogues about love, artistry, and the interplay of dreams and reality, the groundwork is laid for an exploration of how these themes may manifest throughout their intertwined lives during a seemingly dull summer in Haréville.
J.-K. (Joris-Karl) Huysmans
En ménage
"En ménage" by J.-K. Huysmans is a novel published in 1881. It follows André Jayant, a novelist trapped in a stifling marriage to the narrow-minded Berthe. After discovering her infidelity, André flees to other women—first a prostitute, then a former lover—only to find himself unable to manage life alone. This deeply personal work shifts from pictorial description to psychological exploration, featuring inner monologues that anticipate twentieth-century fiction while reflecting a profound pessimism about domestic life and human relationships.
Leonard Merrick
Cynthia With an Introduction by Maurice Hewlett
"Cynthia" by Leonard Merrick is a novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative centers around the main character, Humphrey Kent, an aspiring novelist who is navigating the complex emotions associated with love and ambition. Set against the backdrop of literary aspirations, Kent grapples with the challenges of establishing himself in both his professional and personal life, particularly concerning his relationship with the enchanting Cynthia Walford, who becomes a crucial figure in his journey. At the start of the novel, two friends, Kent and Turquand, are introduced in a café in Dieppe, where the topic of conversation turns to Kent's recent literary success and his deepening feelings for Miss Walford. As Kent reflects on his newfound fame and the reality of his financial situation, he contemplates his relationship with Cynthia and the societal expectations surrounding marriage. The narrative unfolds in a light and humorous tone, contrasting Kent's romantic aspirations with the practical concerns of his career and financial stability. Their interactions reveal the complexities of social class and personal ambition, setting the stage for the evolution of Kent and Cynthia's relationship amidst the pressures of their environment.
André Gide
Isabelle
"Isabelle" by André Gide is a novella published in 1911. A young Parisian scholar conducting literary research at a remote château falls in love with the portrait of Isabelle de Saint-Auréol. As he investigates the mysterious circumstances surrounding the absent woman, he pieces together a troubling past involving forbidden love, tragedy, and dark secrets. When Isabelle finally appears, reality shatters his romantic illusions. Gide called this work a "sottie"—a tale of folly—chronicling one man's descent from scholarly detachment into foolish obsession.
William Alexander Gerhardie
Eva's apples : $b A story of jazz and jasper
First published in 1928, in London under title: Jazz and jasper, and in New York under title: Eva's apples. Republished in 1947 under title: My sinful earth, and in 1974 under title: Doom.
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