Showing results by author "May Sinclair" in All Categories

In May Sinclair’s captivating 1921 novel, we meet the absurd Mr. Horatio Bysshe Waddington—a pompous, self-deluded man who navigates life with a singular focus on how he appears to others. His long-suffering wife Fanny, devoted secretary Barbara, and the mischievous young Ralph watch in amused admiration as he plays out his daily charades. Like spectators at a theatrical performance or scientists observing an odd specimen, they are both entertained and perplexed by his relentless pursuit of outrageous pretensions. Sinclair’s seemingly innocent prose cleverly disguises a deeper narrative,...

May Sinclairs brilliance lies in her remarkable ability to connect the Victorian and modern eras, boldly challenging outdated thoughts and artistic forms. A generation older than the iconic literary figures of the postwar era, Sinclair possessed a unique vision for preserving the valuable aspects of the past while daring to explore new ideas. This is exemplified in her groundbreaking works, such as “Life and Death of Harriet Frean,” “Mary Olivier,” and “Tree of Heaven,” where she pioneered psychological and stream-of-consciousness narratives. Beyond her fiction, her philosophical ...

Dive into May Sinclairs intriguing exploration of love, desire, and social norms in The Tysons. This captivating tale revolves around the charming yet untrustworthy Nevill Tyson and his enchanting but shallow young wife, Molly. Sinclair employs a refreshingly witty narrative style reminiscent of Jane Austen, skillfully dissecting the lives of the characters in the provincial village of Drayton Parva. With a blend of Victorian prudishness and modern sensibilities, she deftly navigates the complex sexual dynamics at play. The gradual unraveling of the Tyson marriage feels almost fated, yet ...

In The Romantic, Sinclair delivers a gripping tale that explores the complexities of love and human connection against the backdrop of World War I. Charlotte Redhead, a young British secretary, finds herself entangled in a degrading affair with her boss. Disenchanted, she renounces physical intimacy and forms a platonic bond with the charming Bohemian, John Conway, whom she encounters while wandering through the fields. Fueled by a powerful romantic impulse, they embark on a journey to Belgium, eager to contribute to the war effort through their own volunteer ambulance corps. However, the ...

Harriett Frean is a privileged, single woman caught in the grip of a life marked by dependency, tedium, and unfulfilled potential as she dutifully cares for her aging parents while awaiting the arrival of a suitor. When love finally presents itself, it comes with a moral quandary the man is engaged to her closest friend. Should she risk everything for what seems to be her one shot at happiness, or does she have the strength to choose a different path? Can Harriett find purpose and fulfillment on her own, without the societal expectations of marriage? May Sinclair, with her signature gentle ...

In one of her later masterpieces, May Sinclair—renowned author, literary critic, and feminist advocate—delves into the complex life of Kitty Tailleur, a strikingly beautiful yet fallen woman in search of respectability. Following the success of her groundbreaking work, The Divine Fire, Sinclair artfully employs irony and subtlety to unravel the societal hypocrisy surrounding womens struggles for power and dignity. Set against the backdrop of a quaint seaside hotel, Kitty finds herself entangled in a passionate romance with Robert Lucy, a kind-hearted widower with two young daughters. ...

In Creators, Jane Holland emerges as a brilliant mind among a circle of extraordinary literary friends, sharing a profound artistic and intellectual bond with fellow novelist George Tanqueray. Despite their deep connection, both Jane and George find themselves reluctantly entwined in more conventional romantic commitments, leading to intense crises of heart, mind, and artistic integrity. This remarkable philosophical novel by May Sinclair delves into the challenges faced by artistic geniuses, particularly the obstacles posed by love, societal expectations, the seductive nature of popularity, ...

A collection of short stories written by prominent supporters of the women's suffrage movement in the United Kingdom....

May Sinclair was the nom de plume of Mary Amelia St. Clair (1863-1946), a British writer of novels, short stories and poetry and an active suffragette and spiritualist. 'The Mahatma's Story' is a strange supernatural story about an oriental magician who switches the memories of two couples, with bizarre results.

May Sinclair was the nom de plume of Mary Amelia St. Clair (1863-1946), a British writer of novels, short stories and poetry and an active suffragette and spiritualist. 'Where Their Fire Is Not Quenched' is a highly unsettling and creepy story about an adulterous couple who are damned to continue their loathsome, loveless relationship for all eternity.

May Sinclair was the nom de plume of Mary Amelia St. Clair (1863-1946), a popular British writer of novels, short stories and poetry. She was also an active suffragette and spiritualist. Nowadays she is best known for her uncanny and unsettling ghost stories. 'The Token' is a ghost story about a wife who died with an important question in her life unanswered. She revisits her husband's study in search of the answer to the mystery she never solved while alive.

A wonderful collection of 50 phenomenal stories by the world’s great short story writers.

May Sinclair was the nom de plume of Mary Amelia St. Clair (1863-1946), a British writer who wrote novels, short stories and poetry. She was an active suffragette and a spiritualist. 'The Nature of the Evidence' is a ghost story about a first wife who returns to this world when her husband remarries, to protest her disapproval of his choice of second wife and prevent the two of them from ever sharing a bed.

In Flaw in the Crystal, one of May Sinclair‚s captivating uncanny‚ stories, we delve into the intricate themes that define her work the confines of marriage, the clash between body and spirit, and the intricate web of human emotions. When Agatha Verrall embarks on a forbidden affair with Rodney Lanyon, she grapples with her desire to maintain a spiritual connection while resisting the physical passion that terrifies her. To her surprise, Agatha uncovers an extraordinary paranormal ability to influence the minds and even the physical states of those around her. Initially, she wields her ...

In 1914, renowned novelist and poet May Sinclair willingly left the safety of England to venture into the heart of the Western Front. She joined the Munro Ambulance Corps, aiding injured Belgian soldiers in Flanders amidst the horrors of the Great War. Despite her brief yet traumatising time at the frontlines, Sinclairs encounters deeply influenced her subsequent literary works. This podcast delves into her journal, a raw and poignant account of war from the front lines. Sinclair, who faced death multiple times, provides a vivid, heart-wrenching narrative of human suffering and bravery during ...

In this series we explore the many facets of love through literary talents that span both time and country. By a choice of vows each undertakes to stay with the other through the good times and the bad. And most probably there will be plenty of both and much in between. But the union of marriage comes in many shades and hues, some balanced, some destined to last a lifetime and others set to fizzle out or stumble to an ill-mannered conclusion in separation or divorce and, of course, death.