Book details
Temperamental people
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Stored record
Metadata
- Gutenberg ID
- 79161
- Title
- Temperamental people
- Language
- en
- Book source
- Project Gutenberg
- Description max 80 words
-
Mary Roberts Rinehart's *Temperamental People* weaves a collection of romantic and psychological dramas centered on intense, often destructive passions. From a Queen's forbidden love to a politician's moral compromises, the stories explore the clash between duty and desire, innocence and corruption, with a tone of gothic melancholy and sharp social observation.
- Summary up to 500 words
-
In *Temperamental People*, Mary Roberts Rinehart weaves a collection of interconnected short stories that explore the volatile intersection of overwhelming emotion and rigid societal constraints. The narrative opens in a Swiss castle, introducing Rudi, a devoted soldier, and Clotilde, his lady-in-waiting, who secretly nurture a romance with the imprisoned Queen. Their love is tested by the King's tyranny, the Queen's presumed insanity, and the tragic fate of their child. This tale of exile and jealousy culminates in a desperate rescue, illustrating how passion can both destroy and define the human experience. The collection then shifts to a modern political landscape, following Thomas Patrick Finnerty, a loyal campaign manager for a powerful Chief. As the Chief's influence grows, Thomas Patrick faces a crisis of conscience when his wife, Mary, discovers his financial entanglements and moral compromises. This story delves into the corruption of power and the fragility of marriage, questioning the difficulty of maintaining integrity amidst ambition. Other tales in the collection include a singer's rise to fame, a sculptor's obsession, and a cowboy's dream, each highlighting the 'temperamental' nature of the human heart. Rinehart's prose is atmospheric, blending gothic elements with realistic character studies. The stories collectively examine themes of loyalty, betrayal, the cost of ambition, and the enduring power of love against the forces of society and fate. The collection concludes with a sense of resignation, acknowledging that while passion can lead to ruin, it remains an essential part of the human condition.
- LLM editorial rating
- 4.2/5
- Download URL
- https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/79161.epub.noimages
- Local file path
-
data/epubs/pg79161.epub - Downloaded at
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People
Authors
- Mary Roberts Rinehart
Classification
Categories
- Short Stories
- American Fiction