Lady Luck

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26165

Title

Lady Luck

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in the post-WWI era, this novel follows Vitus Marsden, the "Wildcat," a former soldier and Pullman porter who wins a thousand dollars for capturing train robbers. Despite his good fortune, he faces a relentless streak of bad luck, losing his winnings to gambling and fraudulent schemes. The story explores themes of resilience, the volatility of fortune, and the search for stability in a chaotic world.

Summary up to 500 words

In Hugh Wiley's *Lady Luck*, the narrative follows Vitus Marsden, a resilient former soldier and Pullman porter known as the Wildcat. After returning to the United States from service in France, Marsden wins a thousand-dollar reward for capturing train robbers. Eager to start a fried fish business in Portland with his partner Dwindle Daniels, he initially enjoys a streak of fortune at dice games in a local hotel. However, his luck abruptly turns sour; he loses his entire windfall, leaving him desperate and homeless. Despondent, Marsden is approached by Honey Tone Boone, a former associate with a history of manipulation. Honey Tone deceives Marsden into leading a fraudulent scheme involving a fake "New World African Colony" and a steamboat venture. Through this charade, Marsden briefly gains control of a substantial sum of money, only to be deceived again when Honey Tone absconds with the funds. Following this second betrayal, Marsden secures a job as a waiter on a steamboat bound for New Orleans. He hopes to find stability and eventually return home to Memphis, carrying the weight of his repeated misfortunes but retaining his characteristic optimism and toughness. The novel explores themes of resilience, the volatility of luck, and the deceptive nature of schemes promising easy wealth. Marsden's journey is marked by his ability to bounce back from financial ruin, whether through gambling losses or fraudulent employment. Despite being manipulated by figures like Honey Tone, Marsden maintains his dignity and hope. The story concludes with him boarding a ship to New Orleans, ready to face the future with his mascot goat, Lily, by his side. Wiley uses Marsden's experiences to illustrate that while Lady Luck may be fickle, a strong spirit can endure the "misery road" and continue moving forward.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg26165.epub

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Categories

• Fiction
• African American Fiction