The Master Mummer

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

28161

Title

The Master Mummer

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In this atmospheric thriller, aspiring writer Arnold Greatson struggles with artistic mediocrity while navigating a dangerous romance with Isobel de Sorrens. When a mysterious Archduchess claims the young woman, Arnold must defend his love against armed intruders in a tense confrontation that blurs the line between fiction and reality.

Summary up to 500 words

In E. Phillips Oppenheim's *The Master Mummer*, the narrative centers on Arnold Greatson, a successful writer who feels stifled by his own commercial formulae. Living with his artistic friend Allan Mabane and Isobel de Sorrens, Arnold struggles to transcend his reputation for writing artificial, rose-colored stories. He yearns to capture the raw, tragic reality of human life, a desire that is complicated by his growing affection for Isobel, a woman of aristocratic birth who has chosen to live a humble existence with him. This domestic tranquility is shattered by the arrival of Baron von Leibingen, an envoy of Archduchess Adelaide. The Baron demands Isobel's return to her royal family, asserting that her grandfather has made her a poor woman, rendering her unfit for a princess's life. The Baron arrives with armed men, threatening to abduct Isobel unless Arnold surrenders her. A tense standoff ensues at Roseleys Cottage, where Arnold, Mabane, and Isobel's suitor Arthur must defend their home against the royal party. The confrontation reveals the stark conflict between Isobel's mundane happiness and her aristocratic destiny. After a brief but violent struggle, the Baron calls a truce, acknowledging the complexity of the situation. The narrative then shifts to a deeper exploration of Arnold's internal conflict between his imaginative creations and the harsh realities of life. He reflects on the influence of his mentor Feurgères and the transformative power of genuine human connection. Ultimately, Isobel chooses to remain with Arnold, declaring that she is 'much too poor to be a princess any longer.' The story concludes with a resolution that validates Arnold's decision to write about real people and emotions, bridging the gap between his literary aspirations and his personal happiness. Through this journey, the novel explores themes of art versus reality, the nature of true love, and the courage required to embrace one's authentic self.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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2026-07-06 00:05 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Mystery