
audiobook
by E. F. (Edward Frederic) Benson
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
Set against a sun‑lit June in Victorian London, the narrative opens with a striking metaphor: a lone boat adrift on a tempestuous sea, alternately called “Truth” or “Falsehood” by a sardonic guide. This philosophical framing invites listeners into a world where weather, myth and morality intertwine, and the very act of observation becomes a subtle commentary on the age‑old conflict between illusion and reality.
Against this backdrop, the story paints a picture of a city in the throes of a fleeting “Golden Age”—balmy breezes, bustling promenades, and the genteel chatter of a well‑dressed crowd. At its centre walks a tall, languid young aristocrat, the embodiment of effortless leisure, whose calm demeanor masks an undercurrent of curiosity. As he navigates the crowded Row and narrowly avoids a runaway horse, the stage is set for a gentle yet incisive exploration of society’s pretensions, hinting that beneath the polished surface of London’s summer serenity something unexpected is about to stir.
Language
en
Duration
~7 hours (447K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Marc D'Hooghe (Images generously made available by the Hathi Trust.)
Release date
2013-12-22
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1867–1940
Best known for the witty Mapp and Lucia novels, this prolific English writer also delighted readers with ghost stories, memoirs, and sharp social comedy. His books capture the manners, rivalries, and quiet absurdities of late Victorian and Edwardian life with lasting charm.
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by E. F. (Edward Frederic) Benson

by E. F. (Edward Frederic) Benson

by E. F. (Edward Frederic) Benson

by E. F. (Edward Frederic) Benson

by E. F. (Edward Frederic) Benson

by E. F. (Edward Frederic) Benson

by E. F. (Edward Frederic) Benson

by E. F. (Edward Frederic) Benson