Adam Johnstone's Son By: F. Marion Crawford (1854-1909) |
---|
In "Adam Johnstone's Son" by F. Marion Crawford, readers will embark on a captivating journey that dives into the complexities of family, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success. Set against the backdrop of late 19th-century Europe and America, this novel presents an intriguing exploration of personal identity and the price one may pay to uphold societal expectations.
The story revolves around the life of Paul Griggs, the illegitimate son of the esteemed Adam Johnstone, an eccentric entrepreneur and adventurer. As a young man, Paul finds himself grappling with his mixed heritage and a deep desire to carve his own path in life. However, the shadow cast by his powerful father proves to be an ever-present obstacle.
Crawford masterfully crafts a vivid and engaging narrative, enthralling readers from the outset. Through rich descriptions and meticulous attention to historical detail, the author transports us to a bygone era, allowing us to immerse ourselves fully in the story's setting. The opulence and sweeping landscapes showcased throughout the book evoke a sense of grandeur, effectively creating a vibrant tapestry against which the characters' fates unfold.
The characters themselves are complex and multi-dimensional, each with their own ambitions, flaws, and contrasting motivations. From the enigmatic Adam Johnstone to the determined and conflicted Paul Griggs, Crawford expertly brings these individuals to life, rendering them believable and relatable. Their intertwining relationships, fraught with tension and emotional turmoil, intensify the intrigue and keep readers eagerly turning the pages.
Furthermore, the novel skillfully explores themes of identity, class struggle, and the delicate balance between personal fulfillment and societal expectations. As Paul grapples with his heritage and the weight of his father's legacy, readers are invited to ponder the inherent challenges and sacrifices intertwined with self-discovery and the pursuit of meaning.
While the book is undeniably a thought-provoking and absorbing read, it occasionally suffers from moments of overwritten prose and lengthy exposition. These instances slow down the pacing, momentarily detracting from an otherwise captivating narrative. However, Crawford's ability to recapture the reader's attention through sharp dialogue and unexpected twists redeems any slight missteps.
In conclusion, "Adam Johnstone's Son" is a well-crafted and engaging novel that delves into themes of family, identity, and ambition in a nuanced historical setting. F. Marion Crawford's insightful storytelling, vivid descriptions, and complex characters ensure an immersive reading experience. Despite occasional pacing issues, this novel remains a compelling exploration of human nature and the complexities of navigating one's place in the world. ADAM JOHNSTONE'S SON by F. MARION CRAWFORD With Frontispiece [Illustration: "I SOMETIMES THINK THAT ONE'S PAST LIFE IS WRITTEN IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE," SAID MRS. BOWRING, SHUTTING THE BOOK SHE HELD.] P. F. Collier & Son New York Copyright 1895, 1896, 1897 by F. Marion Crawford All Rights Reserved ADAM JOHNSTONE'S SON CHAPTER I "I sometimes think that one's past life is written in a foreign language," said Mrs. Bowring, shutting the book she held, but keeping the place with one smooth, thin forefinger, while her still, blue eyes turned from her daughter's face towards the hazy hills that hemmed the sea thirty miles to the southward. "When one wants to read it, one finds ever so many words which one cannot understand, and one has to look them out in a sort of unfamiliar dictionary, and try to make sense of the sentences as best one can. Only the big things are clear." Clare glanced at her mother, smiling innocently and half mechanically, without much definite expression, and quite without curiosity. Youth can be in sympathy with age, while not understanding it, while not suspecting, perhaps, that there is anything to understand beyond the streaked hair and the pale glance and the little torture lines which paint the portrait of fifty years for the eyes of twenty... Continue reading book >>
|
Genres for this book |
---|
Fiction |
Literature |
Romance |
eBook links |
---|
Wikipedia – F. Marion Crawford |
Wikipedia – Adam Johnstone's Son |
eBook Downloads | |
---|---|
ePUB eBook • iBooks for iPhone and iPad • Nook • Sony Reader |
Kindle eBook • Mobi file format for Kindle |
Read eBook • Load eBook in browser |
Text File eBook • Computers • Windows • Mac |
Review this book |
---|