Hall Caine
1) The Deemster
Author Hall Caine hailed from the Isle of Man, an isolated region with its own unique culture, quirks, and folklore that had long been under-represented in British literature. Early in his literary career, Caine set out to document his native region in novel form, and after several false starts, he produced The Deemster, which follows the life of Dan Mylrea, a bishop's son who lapses into a life of crime.
This rollicking novella from author Hall Caine is a loving character study of the quintessential archetype of the Celtic seafaring man. It's also full of interesting and amusing references to the unique Manx culture of the Isle of Man, which combines elements of Norse and Celtic traditions.
One of the most popular authors of the Edwardian era, Sir Thomas Henry Hall Caine wrote a number of stories, novels, and plays that were eagerly lapped up by an adoring public, despite the fact that his politics and personal life were somewhat out of step with the strict mores and manners of the day. In The Christian, Caine tackles a number of sensitive issues about the practice of religion in the engaging and entertaining style that made
...Many of Hall Caine's most popular novels are set on or near the Isle of Man, and he was fiercely proud of his Manx cultural heritage. This volume collects the texts of a series of lectures Caine gave at the Royal Institution in Liverpool about the history and culture of the Isle of Man and its inhabitants.
The Shadow of a Crime was the first novel published by Manx writer Hall Caine, who soon skyrocketed to literary superstardom and became one of the most popular novelists of his era. In this tale, protagonist Ralph Ray comes to terms with mistakes made in his past and bravely sacrifices his freedom to preserve his family's well-being.
Though he originally wrote it as a play, British author Hall Caine transformed The Eternal City into a novel after he initially experienced little interest from producers. As a novel, The Eternal City was extremely well received, selling well more than 1 million copies. Set in Rome, the story is a life-affirming allegory about the power of love and commitment to a cause bigger than oneself.
British writer Hall Caine had a particular knack for conveying intense emotions, and that strength shines through in both of these short stories. "The Blind Mother," based on an experience Caine had as a young boy, so affected the author that he used the tale in several novels and stories. In this expanded version, it's an impactful allegory about love that readers won't soon forget.
By the time Manx author Hall Caine published his second novel, A Son of Hagar, he was well on his way to becoming one of the most popular writers of his time. Combining love triangles, illicit romance, and a deep and abiding appreciation for Manx and Cumberland culture, this book is a must-read for fans of Victorian-era romance.
This novel spurred a controversy upon its initial publication in 1913, with some libraries and bookstores refusing to sell it on moral grounds. Although author Hall Caine addressed aspects of women's rights in some of his previous works, he tackles the issue head-on in this nuanced, emotionally resonant tale of an Irish woman who must decide between adhering to society's strictures or following her heart.
Originally published in serial form in several British newspapers, the sweeping epic The Bondman represents the full flowering of author Hall Caine's literary skill. Set in Iceland and the Isle of Man in the early eighteenth century, the novel follows a pair of half-brothers who are torn apart by the misdeeds of their father. Ultimately, the rift deepens when the two fall in love with the same woman. Can the damage done ever be repaired?
...Manx novelist Hall Caine garnered a massive following in his day by combining elements of romance and action-adventure, a feat he pulls off beautifully in the exciting short novel She's All the World to Me. A feisty heroine is doggedly pursued by two men, and ultimately the conflict comes to a head in a devastating climax.
12) The Scapegoat
In the powerful novel The Scapegoat, Manx author Hall Caine veers sharply away from the love triangles and ill-fated romances that were his typical subject matter. This tales centers around the struggles and experiences of protagonist Israel bin Oliel, who is summoned from his home in England to his native Morocco at the time of his father's death.