Subject
Religious fiction Books
Best books
John Oliver Hobbes
Robert Orange Being a Continuation of the History of Robert Orange
"Robert Orange" by John Oliver Hobbes is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story centers around Robert Orange, a character navigating love, ambition, and social expectations amid the complexities and constraints of Victorian society. The narrative takes the reader into his world, exploring relationships with significant characters such as Lady Sara De Treverell and Lord Reckage, each contributing to the themes of romance, societal pressures, and personal ambition. At the start of the book, the reader is introduced to Lady Sara, the daughter of the Earl of Garrow, who is caught in a whirlwind of emotions as she contemplates an offer of marriage from the wealthy Duke of Marshire. Her thoughts drift toward her feelings for Robert Orange, whom she views as a remarkable person, contrasting the prospects of marrying for social elevation versus genuine connection. Her father, concerned about the social implications of Sara considering Orange, encapsulates the societal divide that the characters negotiate. As the narrative unfolds, the contrasts between ambition, societal rank, and personal desire set the stage for deeper explorations of love and identity that are likely to resonate throughout the novel.
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.
John Bloundelle-Burton
The Scourge of God: A Romance of Religious Persecution
"The Scourge of God: A Romance of Religious Persecution" by John Bloundelle-Burton is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The story unfolds during a tumultuous time marked by religious persecution and personal conflict, focusing on the complex relationships and struggles of its characters. Central to the narrative is Martin Ashurst, the nephew of Madame la Princesse de Rochebazon, who finds himself entangled in a web of secrets and moral dilemmas as he navigates love, legacy, and faith. At the start of the book, we witness the death of the Princesse de Rochebazon, a high-ranking noblewoman, as she prepares to pass on her legacy while grappling with the burdens of her life's decisions. The opening chapters introduce Martin Ashurst, who has traveled from England to Paris, feeling a mix of trepidation and duty as he inherits his aunt’s fortune and is thrust into a tumultuous world of religious and political strife. As he arrives, he learns of hidden family secrets that could alter his understanding of his inheritance and identity. The narrative sets the stage for a gripping exploration of family honor, religious conflict, and the quest for truth amidst a backdrop of societal turmoil.
Grace Livingston Hill
The City of Fire
"The City of Fire" by Grace Livingston Hill is a novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds in a quaint, idyllic setting, focusing on the character of Billy Gaston, a fourteen-year-old boy residing in the picturesque community of Sabbath Valley. The narrative intricately weaves themes of adventure, intrigue, and the moral dilemmas that arise when Billy becomes embroiled in a plot involving kidnapping and deception. At the start of the book, we are introduced to Billy as he waits at the Pleasant View train station, contemplating the beauty of his surroundings and the upcoming baseball game he is eager to attend. However, his day takes an unexpected turn when he overhears a conversation between a freight agent and an unidentified man discussing a kidnapping. Intrigued and sensing an opportunity, Billy decides to engage with the freight agent, further entangling himself in a shady scheme that raises questions about loyalty and ethics. As he navigates this dangerous scenario, the contrast between the innocence of his youth in Sabbath Valley and the darker undercurrents of adult ambition and crime becomes apparent, setting the stage for a compelling adventure.
Mark Twain
Extract from Captain Stormfield's Visit to Heaven
"Extract from Captain Stormfield's Visit to Heaven" by Mark Twain is a short story first published in 1907. Captain Elias Stormfield embarks on a cosmic journey to Heaven, where he discovers an afterlife vastly different from conventional expectations. Through conversations with veteran resident Sandy McWilliams, Stormfield learns startling truths about celestial existence—from the real purpose of angel wings to the unexpected identities of Heaven's greatest celebrities. Twain satirizes traditional religious conceptions with characteristic humor and hyperbole, revealing an eternity far stranger than Earth's familiar assumptions.
Charlotte M. (Charlotte Mary) Yonge
Magnum Bonum; Or, Mother Carey's Brood
"Magnum Bonum; Or, Mother Carey's Brood" by Charlotte M. Yonge is a fictional novel likely written in the late 19th century. The narrative centers around the lives of the Brownlow family, particularly focusing on Joseph Brownlow, his widowed mother, and a young orphan girl named Caroline Allen, who becomes a significant part of their household and ultimately a beloved member of the family. The book delves into themes of compassion, love, and the dynamics of family life. At the start of the story, we are introduced to Joe Brownlow, who advocates for inviting Miss Allen to spend her holidays with them as she has no home. He reminisces about his own childhood association with her family's struggles and instantly feels a sense of duty towards her. The opening chapters set the stage for Caroline's arrival at the Brownlow household, highlighting her innocence, charm, and the deep sense of wonder she feels upon experiencing care and beauty for the first time. Mrs. Brownlow, Joe's mother, showers love and kindness on Caroline, and simultaneous hints at a budding romance between Joe and Caroline create an engaging backdrop for the unfolding familial relationships and new beginnings. The narrative captures both heartbreak and hope, promising an exploration of life’s challenges and joys as it develops.
Humphry Ward
Robert Elsmere
"Robert Elsmere" by Mrs. Humphry Ward is a novel published in 1888. It follows an Oxford clergyman who encounters German rationalist philosophy and begins questioning Anglican doctrine. Rather than abandoning faith entirely, he pursues a new path emphasizing social work among the poor. This groundbreaking bestseller sparked fierce debate in Victorian England, praised by some as liberating and condemned by others as blasphemous. The novel sold over a million copies and drew a famous critical review from Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone himself.
Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
Ruth
"Ruth" by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell is a novel published in 1853. When fifteen-year-old orphan Ruth Hilton is seduced and abandoned by a wealthy gentleman, she finds herself pregnant and cast out from respectable society. Taken in by a compassionate minister and his sister, Ruth is given a new identity as a widow to protect her from scandal. As she builds a life as a governess and nurse, her past threatens to surface, forcing a reckoning with Victorian society's harsh judgment of fallen women.
Charlotte M. (Charlotte Mary) Yonge
The Heir of Redclyffe
"The Heir of Redclyffe" by Charlotte M. Yonge is a novel published in 1853. Guy Morville, heir to the Redclyffe estate, faces ruin when his hypocritical cousin Philip spreads rumors that destroy his reputation and engagement. Guy endures the injustice with Christian fortitude until his character is cleared. But during an Italian honeymoon, a fateful encounter with Philip tests Guy's nobility in unexpected ways. This High Church romance became the most popular novel of its era, inspiring readers from young women to Pre-Raphaelite artists.
Benjamin Disraeli
Lothair
"Lothair" by Earl of Beaconsfield Benjamin Disraeli is a novel published in 1870. A wealthy young Scottish nobleman finds himself torn between three compelling women, each representing different religious and political allegiances: the Church of England, Roman Catholicism, and revolutionary idealism. His journey takes him from English aristocratic society to the battlefields of Italian unification, and ultimately to Jerusalem's spiritual crossroads. This sensational work sparked "Lothair-mania" across Britain and America, selling thousands of copies within days of publication.
Marie Corelli
Temporal Power: A Study in Supremacy
"Temporal Power: A Study in Supremacy" by Marie Corelli is a philosophical novel written during the late 19th century. The book explores themes of power, monarchy, and the nature of humanity through the contemplation of a king who wrestles with the burdens of his royal duties and the expectations placed upon him by society. Central to the opening portion is the character of a king who reflects on the contradictions inherent in human life, the responsibilities of leadership, and the sacrifices demanded by position and privilege. At the start of the novel, the king sits alone in a palace, observing the beauty of nature while grappling with deep thoughts about his existence and role as a ruler. He recalls poignant memories, including his tumultuous feelings surrounding love and duty. The conversation he has with his tutor reflects a youthful curiosity about power and supremacy, questioning the very nature of kingship. This leads to an exploration of the king's dissatisfaction with the superficial trappings of power and the painful awareness of his own loneliness. The opening highlights the tension between personal desire and public duty, setting the stage for the king's resolve to break free from the constraints of conventional royal life in favor of a more authentic existence.
Hall Caine
The Christian: A Story
"The Christian: A Story" by Hall Caine is a novel written in the late 19th century. The narrative follows two central characters, John Storm, a young clergyman driven by an intense moral conviction, and Glory Quayle, a spirited girl with a longing for adventure and personal freedom. Set against the backdrop of the Isle of Man and later the bustling streets of London, the story explores themes of faith, love, and the struggle between spiritual devotion and worldly desires. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to the three pivotal characters aboard a steamer bound for Liverpool. The cheerful young Glory bids farewell to her old grandfather, Parson Quayle, while the somber young clergyman John Storm is present, hinting at a deeper connection between him and Glory. The opening captures the vibrant contrast between Glory's youthful exuberance and the weighty expectations of her grandfather, alongside John's solemn dedication to his faith. As the story unfolds, Glory's transition from her cherished island home to the potential vastness of London sets the stage for a journey intertwined with personal discovery and burgeoning romance, while John embarks on a path to serve as a clergyman amid the complexities of urban life.
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