The Pretty Lady by Arnold Bennett

"The Pretty Lady" by Arnold Bennett is a novel set during the early 20th century, likely around the time of World War I. The story introduces Christine, a young woman navigating the complexities of life as a courtesan in London. The book explores themes such as desire, identity, and the contrasts between public and private personas in a society shaped by war and morality. At the start of the novel, we see Christine, accompanied by Madame Larivaudière, attending a performance in London's West End. As she looks around the Promenade, she is struck by the somber and restrained atmosphere. Feeling a disconnect from the English men present, she questions her ability to exert her charm in this unfamiliar environment. However, when a gentleman approaches her and speaks French, her confidence returns, igniting a sense of hope and intrigue regarding her place within this foreign society. This opening sets up the contrast between her past experiences and the uncertain future she faces in London, hinting at the exploration of themes of power and vulnerability that will be further developed throughout the novel. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Bennett, Arnold, 1867-1931
Title The Pretty Lady
Credits E-text prepared by Jonathan Ingram, Bill Hershey, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
Reading Level Reading ease score: 74.3 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
Language English
LoC Class PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
Subject Prostitutes -- Fiction
Subject World War, 1914-1918 -- England -- London -- Fiction
Category Text
eBook-No. 12673
Release Date
Last Update Oct 28, 2024
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
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