
Sylvia arrives in Paris bruised by a recent breakup and the collapse of her twin ambitions—artistic fame and domestic stability. Determined to escape the expectations that once bound her, she seeks a fresh start far from the familiar streets of London, hoping the city’s bustle will spark a new, more resilient version of herself.
A pragmatic agent quickly steers her toward a modest cabaret gig in St. Petersburg, promising a modest wage but demanding long, exhausting hours. Boarding a third‑class train, Sylvia confronts an unfamiliar world of noisy tables, clattering plates, and a stage that treats her more like a piece of the orchestra than a celebrated soloist. Yet the challenge awakens a quiet resolve, hinting that this gritty chapter may yet reshape her artistic spirit.
Language
en
Duration
~10 hours (604K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images available at The Internet Archive)
Release date
2012-05-09
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1883–1972
Best known for lively, sharply observed novels like Sinister Street, Whisky Galore, and The Monarch of the Glen, this prolific Scottish writer moved easily between satire, romance, and comedy. His long career also included journalism, memoir, and a famously eventful life far beyond the page.
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