Showing results by author "May Sinclair" in All Categories

Fifty short stories by women writers who broke the mould.

The Tree of Heaven follows the fortunes of the Harrison family as the children grow up in the shadow of the First World War and Dorothy's brothers go off to the trenches, while she becomes involved with the suffrage movement, and later joins a version of the Women's Social and Political Union.

In May Sinclairs captivating debut novel, we meet Audrey Craven, a stunning young woman whose peculiarities have earned her an unwarranted reputation for originality. Beneath her alluring facade lies a shallow, self-absorbed individual lacking in intelligence, who harbors a deep disdain for those she deems unremarkable. Driven by a desire to connect with extraordinary minds and a fantasy of becoming someone’s Muse, Audrey finds herself entangled with passionate individuals across the realms of art, religion, science, and love. The real question is will these profound encounters lead to her ...

In this series we explore the many facets of love through literary talents that span both time and country. By a choice of vows each undertakes to stay with the other through the good times and the bad. And most probably there will be plenty of both and much in between. But the union of marriage comes in many shades and hues, some balanced, some destined to last a lifetime and others set to fizzle out or stumble to an ill-mannered conclusion in separation or divorce and, of course, death.

A collection of short stories written by prominent supporters of the women's suffrage movement in the United Kingdom....

Dive into the world of May Sinclairs exquisite prose with this collection of two captivating novellas that explore the intricate ways women can feel trapped and their yearning for freedom. In “The Cosmopolitan,” we meet Frida Tancred, a privileged heiress bound by familial duties in a dreary provincial estate, longing to experience the wonders of the world yet facing the societal expectation of marriage as her only escape. Meanwhile, “Superseded” introduces spinster Miss Juliana Quincey, who has dedicated twenty-five years to teaching arithmetic at a girls’ school in London. When she...

In this captivating wartime masterpiece by May Sinclair, the dashing newsman Walter Furnival is the epitome of charm handsome, successful, athletic, and intelligent—a true gentleman. In stark contrast, Tasker Jevons is a diminutive, ridiculous-looking sports writer, lacking any conventional social grace. The story takes a twist when Viola Thesiger, Furnivals enchanting young typist and love interest, inexplicably chooses the bumbling Jevons as her partner, drawn to an extraordinary inner beauty that only she—and the begrudgingly admiring Furnival—can see. Yet, the heart of this ...

In The Romantic, Sinclair delivers a gripping tale that explores the complexities of love and human connection against the backdrop of World War I. Charlotte Redhead, a young British secretary, finds herself entangled in a degrading affair with her boss. Disenchanted, she renounces physical intimacy and forms a platonic bond with the charming Bohemian, John Conway, whom she encounters while wandering through the fields. Fueled by a powerful romantic impulse, they embark on a journey to Belgium, eager to contribute to the war effort through their own volunteer ambulance corps. However, the ...

Dive into one of the most poignant World War I novels, a powerful family saga penned during the turmoil of the war. May Sinclair masterfully captures the profound emotions that arise in the lives of ordinary people amidst such tragedy. Her narrative interweaves compelling themes like suffrage, sexual liberation, artistic rebellion, war, and pacifism, creating a tapestry of human experience. The novels most striking metaphor, the Vortex, illustrates the dangerously compelling force of collective humanity — exploring how to resist it and, even more challenging, how to engage with it while ...

Dive into May Sinclairs intriguing exploration of love, desire, and social norms in The Tysons. This captivating tale revolves around the charming yet untrustworthy Nevill Tyson and his enchanting but shallow young wife, Molly. Sinclair employs a refreshingly witty narrative style reminiscent of Jane Austen, skillfully dissecting the lives of the characters in the provincial village of Drayton Parva. With a blend of Victorian prudishness and modern sensibilities, she deftly navigates the complex sexual dynamics at play. The gradual unraveling of the Tyson marriage feels almost fated, yet ...

In May Sinclair’s captivating 1921 novel, we meet the absurd Mr. Horatio Bysshe Waddington—a pompous, self-deluded man who navigates life with a singular focus on how he appears to others. His long-suffering wife Fanny, devoted secretary Barbara, and the mischievous young Ralph watch in amused admiration as he plays out his daily charades. Like spectators at a theatrical performance or scientists observing an odd specimen, they are both entertained and perplexed by his relentless pursuit of outrageous pretensions. Sinclair’s seemingly innocent prose cleverly disguises a deeper narrative,...

May Sinclair was a prolific author, literary critic, and feminist activist, renowned in Britain and the US during the 1910s and 1920s. In The Judgment of Eve, as with many of her novels, she employs irony and understatement to unveil the hypocrisy of societal norms, particularly the tragic reality of womens powerlessness. The story follows Aggie, the most attractive and well-educated young woman in the isolated village of Queningford. Faced with a choice between the strong, confident farmer John and the sensitive, intellectual lawyer’s clerk Arthur, she ultimately chooses Arthur, leading ...

In one of her later masterpieces, May Sinclair—renowned author, literary critic, and feminist advocate—delves into the complex life of Kitty Tailleur, a strikingly beautiful yet fallen woman in search of respectability. Following the success of her groundbreaking work, The Divine Fire, Sinclair artfully employs irony and subtlety to unravel the societal hypocrisy surrounding womens struggles for power and dignity. Set against the backdrop of a quaint seaside hotel, Kitty finds herself entangled in a passionate romance with Robert Lucy, a kind-hearted widower with two young daughters. ...

Harriett Frean is a privileged, single woman caught in the grip of a life marked by dependency, tedium, and unfulfilled potential as she dutifully cares for her aging parents while awaiting the arrival of a suitor. When love finally presents itself, it comes with a moral quandary the man is engaged to her closest friend. Should she risk everything for what seems to be her one shot at happiness, or does she have the strength to choose a different path? Can Harriett find purpose and fulfillment on her own, without the societal expectations of marriage? May Sinclair, with her signature gentle ...

In Combined Maze, Ranny Ransome is a passionate young man who immerses himself in vibrant gymnastic routines, striving to overcome “flabbiness” in body and soul. His heart belongs to the spirited and athletic Winny Dymond, and together they revel in the exhilarating Combined Maze—a mesmerizing group gymnastic ritual at the Polytechnic Gymnasium. However, Rannys life takes a tumultuous turn when he falls for the alluring Violet, a free-spirited woman who seeks to live life on her own terms. When Violet unexpectedly becomes pregnant, Ranny feels compelled to marry her, despite her ...

In a time when romantic fiction often fell into the trap of clichés, May Sinclairs nuanced and audacious novels shine like gems from a different age. “Anne Severn & the Fieldings” weaves a profound love story set against a backdrop of genuine human experiences and the tragic tides of history. The orphaned Anne Severn finds a home with the Fielding family, forging deep bonds with the three Fielding brothers, each of whom harbors a unique affection for her. As the horrors of World War I intrude on their lives, the brothers return home forever altered, while Anne serves bravely as an ...

May Sinclairs brilliance lies in her remarkable ability to connect the Victorian and modern eras, boldly challenging outdated thoughts and artistic forms. A generation older than the iconic literary figures of the postwar era, Sinclair possessed a unique vision for preserving the valuable aspects of the past while daring to explore new ideas. This is exemplified in her groundbreaking works, such as “Life and Death of Harriet Frean,” “Mary Olivier,” and “Tree of Heaven,” where she pioneered psychological and stream-of-consciousness narratives. Beyond her fiction, her philosophical ...

In Creators, Jane Holland emerges as a brilliant mind among a circle of extraordinary literary friends, sharing a profound artistic and intellectual bond with fellow novelist George Tanqueray. Despite their deep connection, both Jane and George find themselves reluctantly entwined in more conventional romantic commitments, leading to intense crises of heart, mind, and artistic integrity. This remarkable philosophical novel by May Sinclair delves into the challenges faced by artistic geniuses, particularly the obstacles posed by love, societal expectations, the seductive nature of popularity, ...

A wonderful collection of 50 phenomenal stories by the world’s great short story writers.

Spend your next 30 minutes traveling to a future where first adopters have the most advanced robot butlers or where everyone has a superpower - except the young man you just met. Or perhaps you prefer a good hard-boiled detective story or one about a hardscrabble life in the Australian outback.