Tristram of Blent: An Episode in the Story of an Ancient House

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

20981

Title

Tristram of Blent: An Episode in the Story of an Ancient House

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Anthony Hope's witty historical comedy follows Harry Tristram, heir to the ancient Blent estate, as he navigates family scandals, romantic entanglements, and a bizarre legal crisis involving a death certificate error. Blending Victorian manners with sharp satire, the novel explores themes of honor, legacy, and the absurdity of social conventions through a lively, character-driven narrative.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in the fictional English county of Blent, Anthony Hope's *Tristram of Blent* chronicles the turbulent history of the Tristram family, focusing on Harry Tristram, the young heir to a crumbling estate. The narrative is driven by a complex web of relationships involving Harry's mother, Lady Tristram, and his friend Major Duplay, as well as his engagement to Cecily Iver. The plot hinges on a series of misunderstandings and scandals, most notably the mysterious disappearance of Lady Tristram's first husband, Randolph Edge, and her subsequent marriage to Captain F. A peculiar incident involving a Russian date discrepancy creates a legal crisis that threatens the legitimacy of the new marriage and the future of the Blent title. Harry must balance his duty to his family with his own romantic interests, particularly his engagement to Cecily Iver. The narrative is enriched by the presence of Josiah Cholderton, a deceased friend whose journal provides a detailed account of the scandalous events, and Mr. Jenkinson Neeld, an editor who struggles with the ethical implications of publishing such private memoirs. As the story unfolds, it delves into the intricacies of inheritance, the rigidity of social class, and the enduring impact of past actions on future generations. Through a mix of humor, romance, and social commentary, Hope crafts a tale that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, offering a glimpse into the lives of the British aristocracy during the late 19th century. The story concludes with the resolution of the title's legitimacy and the continuation of the family saga, emphasizing the theme that the romance of one generation makes the realities of the next.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20981.epub.noimages

Local file path

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Categories

• Fiction
• England -- Social life and customs
• Young men