"The Thirteen Travellers" by Hugh Walpole is a novel written in the early 20th century. The book seems to explore themes of social class, personal identity, and the transformative effects of war on individuals and society. The opening section introduces Absalom Jay, a once-prominent figure in London society, who now faces the challenges posed by the post-war world. The beginning of the novel focuses on Absalom Jay, painting a vivid portrait of
his life and character as he navigates the drastic changes brought on by the Great War. Once a social butterfly, Absalom is characterized by his fastidiousness regarding his appearance and his strong desire for the approval of the upper class. However, as the war alters the social landscape, he finds himself increasingly isolated and struggling with his sense of purpose and identity. The narrative delves into his declining circumstances, particularly after losing his long-time servant, and reflects on his loneliness and denial of the changing world around him. Through Absalom's eyes, readers are invited to contemplate the fragility of social status and the impact of historical events on individual lives. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Absalom Jay -- Fanny Close -- The Hon. Clive Torby -- Miss Morganhurst -- Peter Westcott -- Lucy Moon -- Mrs. Porter and Miss Allen -- Lois Drake -- Mr. Nix -- Lizzie Rand -- Nobody -- Bombastes Furioso.
Credits
Val Wooff, Tim Lindell, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org)
Reading Level
Reading ease score: 83.2 (6th grade). Easy to read.
