A Life's Eclipse By: George Manville Fenn (1831-1909)
A Life's Eclipse by George Manville Fenn is a gripping tale filled with intrigue, mystery, and unexpected twists. Set in 19th century England, the story follows the trials and tribulations of the protagonist, Richard Fenton. Fenton, a young and ambitious lawyer, finds his life turned upside down when he is falsely accused of a crime he did not commit. From the very first page, the reader is drawn into the story's atmospheric setting. Fenn's vivid descriptions transport us to a bygone era, immersing us in the sights, sounds, and social norms of Victorian England. The author's attention to detail is exquisite, capturing the essence of the period flawlessly. Throughout the novel, Fenn expertly weaves together multiple plotlines, creating a tapestry of interconnected stories that keep you guessing until the very end. The pacing is excellent, balancing moments of heart-pounding action with quieter, introspective scenes that delve into the psyche of the characters. Each chapter leaves you yearning for more, unable to put the book down. The characters in A Life's Eclipse are richly developed and utterly compelling. Fenton, our tormented protagonist, is a complex and sympathetic figure, grappling with his newfound circumstances while trying to clear his name. His determination and resilience make him instantly relatable and root-worthy. The supporting cast is equally well-crafted, with each character possessing their own motivations and secrets, adding depth and layers to the narrative. One of the strengths of this novel is its exploration of themes such as justice, redemption, and the corrupting nature of power. Fenn raises thought-provoking questions about the fairness of the legal system and the lengths individuals are willing to go to secure their own interests. At its core, A Life's Eclipse is a story about the resilience of the human spirit and the fight for truth and justice. George Manville Fenn's prose is elegant and evocative, transporting the reader into the heart of the story. His writing style is accessible yet poetic, capturing the nuances of each character and their interactions with finesse. The dialogue is crisp and realistic, further enhancing the authenticity of the narrative. While the book is a remarkable achievement, it is not without its flaws. At times, the narrative becomes overly convoluted, with some plotlines taking longer to resolve than necessary. Additionally, certain characters could have been further developed, making their motivations and actions more understandable. However, these minor criticisms pale in comparison to the overall strength of A Life's Eclipse. George Manville Fenn has crafted a captivating and suspenseful tale that transports readers to a bygone era. Filled with memorable characters, intricate plotlines, and thought-provoking themes, this novel is a testament to Fenn's literary prowess. Whether you are a fan of historical fiction or simply enjoy a gripping story, A Life's Eclipse is a book that should not be missed. First Page: A Life's Eclipse, by George Manville Fenn. This is a short book by G.M. Fenn's usual standards, but you will enjoy reading it. The hero is John Grange, a young gardener on Mrs Mostyn's estate, who finds himself to be in love with Mary Ellis, the daughter of the bailiff, James Ellis. But as he is no more than an under gardener Ellis is angry with him for even thinking of Mary. There is an accident when John has ascended a large cedar tree that had lost a bough in a gale, and a broken branch needed to be tidied up. John falls from where he was sawing, onto the ground, landing on his head. He recovers from the concussion, but is now blind. His rival not only for Mary's hand but also for promotion to Head Gardener when Dunton, the present Head Gardener, now very old, dies, is Daniel Barnett, who of course gets the job. But he is a nasty man, not very good at his work, while the blind John can do his work almost as well as before, working by touch. Barnett plays a number of most unkind tricks on his rival John. Eventually John disappears without trace and rumour is rife that Daniel Barnett had made away with him, so that he might have a clear run to Mary's hand not that Mary is interested in him. There is a surprise ending to the story, of course... Continue reading book >>

A Life's Eclipse By: George Manville Fenn (1831-1909)

A Life's Eclipse by George Manville Fenn is a gripping tale filled with intrigue, mystery, and unexpected twists. Set in 19th century England, the story follows the trials and tribulations of the protagonist, Richard Fenton. Fenton, a young and ambitious lawyer, finds his life turned upside down when he is falsely accused of a crime he did not commit.

From the very first page, the reader is drawn into the story's atmospheric setting. Fenn's vivid descriptions transport us to a bygone era, immersing us in the sights, sounds, and social norms of Victorian England. The author's attention to detail is exquisite, capturing the essence of the period flawlessly.

Throughout the novel, Fenn expertly weaves together multiple plotlines, creating a tapestry of interconnected stories that keep you guessing until the very end. The pacing is excellent, balancing moments of heart-pounding action with quieter, introspective scenes that delve into the psyche of the characters. Each chapter leaves you yearning for more, unable to put the book down.

The characters in A Life's Eclipse are richly developed and utterly compelling. Fenton, our tormented protagonist, is a complex and sympathetic figure, grappling with his newfound circumstances while trying to clear his name. His determination and resilience make him instantly relatable and root-worthy. The supporting cast is equally well-crafted, with each character possessing their own motivations and secrets, adding depth and layers to the narrative.

One of the strengths of this novel is its exploration of themes such as justice, redemption, and the corrupting nature of power. Fenn raises thought-provoking questions about the fairness of the legal system and the lengths individuals are willing to go to secure their own interests. At its core, A Life's Eclipse is a story about the resilience of the human spirit and the fight for truth and justice.

George Manville Fenn's prose is elegant and evocative, transporting the reader into the heart of the story. His writing style is accessible yet poetic, capturing the nuances of each character and their interactions with finesse. The dialogue is crisp and realistic, further enhancing the authenticity of the narrative.

While the book is a remarkable achievement, it is not without its flaws. At times, the narrative becomes overly convoluted, with some plotlines taking longer to resolve than necessary. Additionally, certain characters could have been further developed, making their motivations and actions more understandable.

However, these minor criticisms pale in comparison to the overall strength of A Life's Eclipse. George Manville Fenn has crafted a captivating and suspenseful tale that transports readers to a bygone era. Filled with memorable characters, intricate plotlines, and thought-provoking themes, this novel is a testament to Fenn's literary prowess. Whether you are a fan of historical fiction or simply enjoy a gripping story, A Life's Eclipse is a book that should not be missed.

First Page:

A Life's Eclipse, by George Manville Fenn.

This is a short book by G.M. Fenn's usual standards, but you will enjoy reading it. The hero is John Grange, a young gardener on Mrs Mostyn's estate, who finds himself to be in love with Mary Ellis, the daughter of the bailiff, James Ellis. But as he is no more than an under gardener Ellis is angry with him for even thinking of Mary.

There is an accident when John has ascended a large cedar tree that had lost a bough in a gale, and a broken branch needed to be tidied up. John falls from where he was sawing, onto the ground, landing on his head. He recovers from the concussion, but is now blind.

His rival not only for Mary's hand but also for promotion to Head Gardener when Dunton, the present Head Gardener, now very old, dies, is Daniel Barnett, who of course gets the job. But he is a nasty man, not very good at his work, while the blind John can do his work almost as well as before, working by touch. Barnett plays a number of most unkind tricks on his rival John. Eventually John disappears without trace and rumour is rife that Daniel Barnett had made away with him, so that he might have a clear run to Mary's hand not that Mary is interested in him.

There is a surprise ending to the story, of course... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Fiction
Romance
Teen/Young adult

eBook links
Wikipedia – George Manville Fenn
Wikipedia – A Life's Eclipse

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