Aladdin of London; Or, Lodestar

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

28326

Title

Aladdin of London; Or, Lodestar

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in 1903 London, this novel follows Alban Kennedy, a former aristocrat who rejects wealth to live among the poor. After a dramatic confrontation with a revolutionary seeking revenge for a stolen invention, Alban inherits a fortune from his estranged father. He dedicates his life to humanitarian work, championing the oppressed while navigating complex relationships with a vain heiress and a devoted Polish refugee.

Summary up to 500 words

Max Pemberton's *Aladdin of London; Or, Lodestar* unfolds as a poignant drama of injustice, redemption, and humanitarian service set against the backdrop of early 20th-century London. The narrative begins in a Whitechapel hall, where the revolutionary orator Paul Boriskoff recounts his harrowing journey from wealth to slavery in Siberia. He reveals that his invention, the Meltka furnace, was stolen by the wealthy Maxim Gogol, who subsequently betrayed him to the police. Boriskoff identifies Gogol as living in London, igniting a desire for retribution among the assembly, though the immediate focus shifts to the personal lives of the attendees. Central to the story is Alban Kennedy, a young man of poverty and cynical indifference who resides near the Gessner estate. He is courted by Anna Gessner, the daughter of a wealthy industrialist, who manipulates his affections while secretly pursuing a jockey named Willy Forrest. Alban remains unmoved by her advances, haunted instead by memories of the suffering poor. His stoicism is tested when he returns to the estate months later to find his father dead and Anna married to Willy. His godfather informs him that Boriskoff has died in prison but that Boriskoff's daughter, Lois, is safe. The novel's turning point arrives with the revelation of Alban's father's final letter. The elder Kennedy entrusts his fortune and Lois's future to Alban, designating him as an 'Apostle' in his father's name. This legacy transforms Alban's character from a detached observer to a dedicated servant of humanity. He accepts the responsibility to serve the outcasts of the city, finding purpose in the very slums he once viewed with indifference. The story concludes with Alban embracing a life of dedicated humanitarian work, fulfilling his father's wish to aid the oppressed and seeking salvation for society's marginalized through direct action and compassion.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Local file path

data/epubs/pg28326.epub

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Categories

• Fiction
• Travel