The Madness of May

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25837

Title

The Madness of May

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In a whimsical tale of mistaken identity and redemption, a disgraced bank clerk is rescued by a charming vagabond who turns out to be a missing heir. As they navigate a world of thieves and moonlit adventures, they uncover a family secret that transforms their lives, blending humor, romance, and heartwarming reconciliation.

Summary up to 500 words

In Meredith Nicholson's *The Madness of May*, bank clerk Billy Deering finds his life upended when a mysterious stranger named Hood arrives at his home. Billy, recently exposed for stealing bonds, fears arrest and suicide, yet Hood, a self-proclaimed hobo and friend of the underworld, instead invites him on a chaotic adventure. Along with Billy's wife Constance and daughter Roberta, Billy is drawn into a grand game orchestrated by Hood, who is revealed to be Robert Tyringham, the missing son of Billy's father's best friend. The narrative unfolds as a series of absurd encounters and riddles. Roberta poses as the enigmatic "moon girl" and artist Mary B. Taylor, while Hood's chauffeur, Cassowary, aids in the escapades. The group lives as outlaws for a year, exploring themes of honor versus adventure, the masks people wear, and the transformative power of forgiveness. Hood explains his philosophy of finding joy in the vagabond life, contrasting it with the stifling nature of conventional society. The climax occurs when Billy's father, Samuel Deering, tracks the group down and is imprisoned alongside them. In the jail cell, the truth emerges: Hood is indeed Robert Tyringham, and the entire elaborate scheme was a planned reunion to heal the estranged families. Billy confesses to his theft, realizing his father had hidden the real bonds to protect him. The group reconciles, with Billy's father accepting his son's honesty and the Tyringham family returning to their wealth. A year later, the families have settled into respectable lives while retaining their love for the outdoors. However, the story concludes with a bittersweet note as Robert, now cured of his wanderlust, decides to take one final trip down the road, leaving his family to enjoy their newfound peace. The novel ultimately celebrates the freedom of the spirit and the redemptive power of family and forgiveness.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25837.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg25837.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-05 13:03 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Travel