
PREFACE.
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER IX.
A bold experiment in storytelling, this work weaves together deep philosophical reflection and the sweeping imagination of romantic literature. Drawing on the ideas of a celebrated French thinker, it examines the three distinct “lives” that compose human existence—animal instinct, conscious will, and a higher spiritual yearning. The author invites listeners to contemplate how these layers interact, suggesting that true fulfillment lies beyond ordinary happiness and intellect.
Set against a backdrop of supernatural intrigue, the narrative follows a bewildered protagonist whose journey mirrors the philosopher’s quest for a unifying truth. Borrowing from the grand traditions of epic and drama, the tale employs marvelous occurrences and uncanny forces to illuminate the hidden dimensions of the soul. As the hero ventures deeper into this strange world, the story balances wonder with serious meditation, offering a rich, thought‑provoking experience that rewards both the mind and the imagination.
Language
en
Duration
~18 hours (1039K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Andrew Heath and David Widger
Release date
Nov 26, 2004
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1803–1873
A bestselling Victorian novelist and politician, he mixed society satire, historical fiction, and supernatural intrigue in books that captivated 19th-century readers. He is still widely remembered for coining famous lines including “the pen is mightier than the sword” and the much-parodied opening “It was a dark and stormy night.”
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