The Man Who Did the Right Thing: A Romance

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

45451

Title

The Man Who Did the Right Thing: A Romance

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in late 19th-century East Africa, this novel follows ex-consul Roger Brentham as he navigates the lawless frontier between British and German spheres. Blending romance, adventure, and moral inquiry, the story explores themes of colonialism, redemption, and the complex relationships between white settlers and indigenous peoples against a backdrop of war and civil unrest.

Summary up to 500 words

Set against the backdrop of late 19th-century East Africa, *The Man Who Did the Right Thing* by Sir Harry Johnston explores themes of colonialism, morality, and the clash between imperial ambition and humanitarian idealism. The narrative begins in 1886 England, introducing Lucy Josling, a schoolteacher engaged to the simple-minded missionary John Baines, who departs for the East African Mission. The story quickly shifts to the African interior, centering on Roger Brentham, a former British consul who fled during the Boer War to establish the 'Happy Valley.' Here, Brentham cultivates a unique society based on mutual respect and protection for all beings, living alongside German missionaries and local populations. This sanctuary is threatened by the arrival of Stolzenberg, a ruthless German hunter operating from a volcanic crater. Stolzenberg engages in raids and kidnappings, creating tensions that escalate as British and German imperial interests collide. The plot intensifies with the outbreak of World War I, bringing British forces into the region. Brentham must defend his settlement against looting soldiers, traitorous allies like Sir Willowby Patterne, and the general chaos of war. He successfully repels attacks, protects German civilians, and maintains order until the British advance. The novel concludes with the war's end and the return of Roger and his sister Maud to England. They find a world marked by strikes, social unrest, and moral decay, a stark contrast to the harmony of the Happy Valley. Ultimately, Roger decides to remain in Africa, having found a place where justice and peace can truly flourish, leaving behind the turmoil of the old world. The story serves as a critique of the moral decay in post-war Britain, contrasting it with the ethical society Brentham built in the African interior.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Romance
• History
• Fiction
• Travel