Monatsarchive: April 2017

Second String – Anthony Hope

Second String, by Anthony Hope,brings to mind a new tendency in British fiction which has quite been creeping in during the last years of the 19th century; namely, the tendency to concern itself more and more with the social life of middle class people rather than the upper circles. Second String deals with the extremely mixed society of a small English town, in which the hero, Andy Hayes, upon returning home after some years in the Canadian lumber district, finds it somewhat embarrassing to steer successfully between the distinctly “high-life” people on his father’s side of the house and Jack Rock, the village butcher, with whom he is connected through his mother’s second marriage. There … Read more.../Mehr lesen ...

The Great Miss Driver – Anthony Hope

Although among his more recent writings, the author of The Dolly Dialogues has done some rather serious and careful work, there is no exaggeration in saying that in literarv technique and human interest and the various other qualities that go to make good fiction The Great Miss Driver is easily the biggest, best rounded, and altogether worthiest story he has ever written, and yet, the first thing you are apt to think of is that the germ idea of the story goes straight back to the Dolly Dialogues; that in a superficial way, yes and perhaps in a deeper way, too, there is a certain rather absurd similarity between them; just as though … Read more.../Mehr lesen ...

Helena’s Path – Anthony Hope

For clever dialogue and spirited situations Anthony Hope is eminently satisfactory. “Helena’s Path” contains both these characteristics, and much beside; a keen appreciation of humorous values and a delightful emotional restraint. Helena’s path is the bone of contention between Helena and the English earl whose estate joins hers. It is a sparkling comedy from cover to cover. Helena’s beauty and the earl’s wit make a good combination when it comes to open war, as it does.

Helena’s Path

Format: Paperback.

Helena’s Path.

ISBN: 9783849694845

Available at amazon.com and other venues.

Biography of Anthony Hope (from Wikipedia):

Hope was educated at St John’s School, Leatherhead, Marlborough College and Balliol College, Oxford. Hope trained as a … Read more.../Mehr lesen ...

Sophy of Kravonia – Anthony Hope

Kravonia is a principality to be sought on the map somewhere in the vicinity of Zenda, and is, like most of the states of the mythical group to which it belongs, the sport of diplomatic intrigue. Its prince is sorely beset by enemies, but when he acquires a princess, in the shape of a beautiful English maiden-transformed from a lowly maid-servant into a captivating adventuress his fortunes change, and he gives his foes a run for their money. Unhappily, he is killed just when triumph is at hand, and his princess goes into exile cherishing the memory of the glorious weeks of the conflict. Mr. Hope’s hand has lost little of its cunning since … Read more.../Mehr lesen ...

A Servant of the Public – Anthony Hope

It is easy to be enthusiastic about the story. It is psychologic—but with a difference, the difference being the bright and compelling interest of Mr. Hope’s dialogue, and the smiling sanity of his spirit. Imagine much that is best in Meredith or James, and all that is best in Anthony Hope, and you have a fair idea of ‘ A Servant of the Public’. It is not the conventional story of the stage, with glib talk of the greenroom, and intimate glimpses ‘behind the footlights.’ It is the story of an actress off, rather than on, the stage—an analysis of the theatrical, perhaps ‘artistic’ temperament.

A Servant of the Public

Format: Paperback.… Read more.../Mehr lesen ...

Double Harness – Anthony Hope

A study of modern marriage as it exists in modern London life especially. Three couples are closely described, and the author writes in the most uncompromising English and discusses some of the most intricate problems of “double harness.” Uncontrollable temper, increasing idealism, love of pleasure, consideration of worldly status, claims of children, sympathetic friendships, etc., etc., are a few of the problems that are finally solved into a good story

Double Harness

Format: Paperback.

Double Harness.

ISBN: 9783849694814

Available at amazon.com and other venues.

Biography of Anthony Hope (from Wikipedia):

Hope was educated at St John’s School, Leatherhead, Marlborough College and Balliol College, Oxford. Hope trained as a lawyer and barrister, being called to … Read more.../Mehr lesen ...

The Intrusions of Peggy – Anthony Hope

Anthony Hope has written two kinds of stories; one interesting for the civilized detail, the other for the situation and plot. When we read the first kind we do not care about the result, and we don’t get excited. If we have plenty of leisure and care for little turns of expression, feeling, and thought, and care a great deal for clean and pleasant society, we are content with books like “The Dolly Dialogues.” The mixture of tolerance, urbanity, and cynicism is just right for the idle person of refinement who does not want to do anything very difficult; even to feeling and thinking. The other kind of book vein that Mr. Hope … Read more.../Mehr lesen ...

Tristram of Blent – Anthony Hope

Here is a rattling good story. Mr. Hope has often furnished us with tales answering that description before, but they were performances of a different order. Whereas his previous successes have been stories of incident, this is a novel of character. The vein of Zenda can easily be worked out, but the success of “Tristram of Blent” can be repeated indefinitely to a satisfied audience. It is the kind of story Anthony Trollope might write if he were abridged, reincarnated, brought up to date, and given a touch of the divine fire to vivify the carefully shaped clay of his puppets. Both in plot and workmanship the story is much better than any of … Read more.../Mehr lesen ...

Quisanté – Anthony Hope

After his kingdom of Ruritania had been invaded by a score or more of imitators, Mr. Anthony Hope came back to England to sing of a man sans arms, whose victories are as remarkable, if not so renowned, as those of Rudolph Rassendyll. Alexander Quisante becomes a power in the house of commons and a ruler in that realm of finance known in London as “the city,” all by the grace of a ready tongue, an adjustable conscience, and the stupidity of his fellow men. His equipment for a hero is very meager. In the first place he was “not quite a gentleman,” not merely in the English acceptance of that term, but even in our … Read more.../Mehr lesen ...

The King’s Mirror – Anthony Hope

Mr. Hope’s new romance pictures the life of a prince and king under conditions modern, and yet shared by representatives of royalty almost throughout history. The interactions of the people and royalty, the aspirations of the prince, the intrigues surrounding him, the cares of state, and the craving for love, are some of the motives developed, with the accompaniments of incident and adventure, wherein the author proves his mastery of suspended interest and dramatic effect. It is a romance which will not only absorb the attention of readers, but impress them with a new admiration for the author’s power.

The King’s Mirror

Format: Paperback.

The King’s Mirror.

ISBN: 9783849694777

Available at amazon.com and other … Read more.../Mehr lesen ...