Bones and I : or, the skeleton at home by G. J. Whyte-Melville
"Bones and I: or, The Skeleton at Home" by G. J. Whyte-Melville is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story unfolds in London, where the protagonist shares his solitary life with a skeleton named "Bones," who serves as both a companion and a sounding board for the narrator’s reflections on life, society, and existence. The narrative combines elements of humor, philosophy, and social commentary through the lens of this
peculiar relationship. The opening of the novel introduces the narrator's lonely life in a secluded part of London, where he has brought home the skeleton to alleviate his isolation. He describes his surroundings and his thoughts on solitude, human nature, and the concept of "waste" in life. The presence of Bones prompts philosophical discussions that delve into existential themes, inviting readers to ponder the value of life, relationships, and the inevitability of suffering. The characters, particularly the introspective narrator and his articulate skeleton, engage in lively dialogues that set the stage for an exploration of deeper societal issues, making the opening both engaging and thought-provoking. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Introduction -- "On waste" -- Through the mill -- Gourds -- A vampire -- Gold for silver -- A day that is dead -- The four-leaved shamrock -- Rus in urbe -- Haunted -- Weight carriers -- Shadows -- Guinevere.
Credits
Bob Taylor, Tim Lindell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Reading Level
Reading ease score: 61.7 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
