Major Vigoureux

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

20863

Title

Major Vigoureux

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in a remote British garrison, this novel follows Major Narcisse Vigoureux, a beloved but aging commander facing the threat of disbandment. Blending military satire with romantic adventure, it explores themes of duty, class, and human resilience against the backdrop of foggy islands and maritime peril.

Summary up to 500 words

In Arthur Quiller-Couch's *Major Vigoureux*, the narrative centers on Major Narcisse Vigoureux, a beloved but financially strained commander of a small British garrison on a remote island chain leased to a mysterious Lord Proprietor. The story begins with Vigoureux facing uncertainty as the ninety-nine-year lease expires and the War Office plans to disband his troops. His life is further complicated by the arrival of Sir Caesar Hutchins, a new Lord Proprietor who resides on the islands, and Miss Cara (Vashti), a stage performer who aids the Lord Proprietor after a shipwreck. The novel weaves humor and adventure through episodes involving eccentric soldiers, such as Sergeant Archelaus wearing the Lord Proprietor's old trousers and Sergeant Treacher sporting a crocheted waistcoat made from an antimacassar. Social tensions rise when local gossips, led by Miss Elizabeth Gabriel, suspect a mysterious woman in furs and diamonds is haunting Garrison Hill, only to discover she is Miss Cara. The plot intensifies with a dramatic rescue from a sea cave known as Piper's Hole, where Miss Cara reveals her identity as a mermaid-like figure who saved the Lord Proprietor from a fatal fall. Despite financial strain and the loss of his garrison, Vigoureux finds purpose by supporting his deceased brother's family in London and fostering local prosperity through the cultivation of daffodils, a project championed by the Lord Proprietor. The story balances romance, as Miss Cara considers marriage, and reconciliation between the Commandant and the Lord Proprietor, who acknowledges his past wrongs. The narrative culminates in a hopeful future for the islands, marked by the arrival of new quick-firing guns and the celebration of the first daffodil show, symbolizing the community's renewed prosperity and unity.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Local file path

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Categories

• Fiction
• Travel