"My Novel" — Volume 03

A lively literary salon unfolds as a young narrator watches his father and a colorful cast of scholars, soldiers, and relatives spar over the perfect name for his fledgling work. Their banter drifts from earnest praise to sly critiques, with Mr. Caxton offering sardonic remarks while the ladies defend the “Sermon” and the captain pushes for bold, open‑field adventures. The scene is peppered with references to ancient texts, classical titles, and even whimsical patent medicines, painting a vivid picture of the era’s obsession with a book’s first impression.

Amid the chatter, the protagonist wrestles with his own restless imagination, yearning to capture the breadth of English life while navigating the expectations of his outspoken entourage. The dialogue crackles with humor and erudition, inviting listeners to glimpse the birth of a novel that is as much about the struggle for a fitting title as it is about the stories hidden within its pages.