747 Results in the "Literary Fiction" category


    • Chapter

      The Student

      The Student Cover
      by LovelyMay The Student begins with a chilling shift in temperature and mood, marking the arrival of evening over a quiet, rural Russian landscape. Ivan Velikopolsky walks along a narrow path that cuts through a cold, empty field, his mind burdened by history, hardship, and the continuity of human suffering. As the wind cuts through the bare trees and frost bites at his fingers, Ivan reflects on the unbroken chain of misery, believing that human experience has always been shrouded in darkness. This bleak worldview…
    • Chapter

      The Post

      The Post Cover
      by LovelyMay The Post begins on a frostbitten evening as two unlikely companions prepare to depart through a sleeping town—one bound by duty, the other by schedule. The postman, wrapped in layers of coarse uniform and holding a dented sword more symbolic than practical, takes on the responsibility of delivering not just mail but a token of human warmth: a parcel and the greetings of someone too distant to speak in person. He is joined by a university student, not through friendship but by arrangement, setting the…
    • Chapter

      The Pipe

      The Pipe Cover
      by LovelyMay The Pipe opens with Meliton Shishkin stepping out of the woods, damp from the morning mist and weighed down by weariness, his loyal dog Damka trailing behind. The sky hangs low and grey, painting the landscape in dull tones that echo the heaviness in Meliton’s thoughts. As he walks, the faint sound of a pipe reaches his ears—a mournful, hollow melody played by an old shepherd watching over his flock. The shepherd’s music seems to echo more than just solitude; it carries a quiet lament for a world…
    • The Perverseness of It Cover
      by LovelyMay The Perverseness of It begins with Mr. Carter accompanying Miss Nellie Phaeton on a brisk carriage ride through the Park, their lively conversation sparking with wit and layered meanings. Miss Phaeton’s energy contrasts Carter’s composed demeanor, yet they match intellectually, their banter circling the nuances of affection and societal ambition. She pokes at the contradictions of love and marriage, suggesting that romantic inclinations often crumble under the weight of expectations and fortune.…
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      The Other Lady

      The Other Lady Cover
      by LovelyMay The Other Lady begins with Carter recounting a near escape from social obligation—a reception he nearly avoided—only to confess to Lady Mickleham that he has fallen in love. The setting is casual, yet every word in their exchange is meticulously crafted with wit and intention. Lady Mickleham, with her signature blend of skepticism and indulgent curiosity, listens as Carter describes the encounter not with restraint, but with the glowing exaggeration of a man happily swept away. He admits the woman is…
    • The Maternal Feminine [1919] Cover
      by LovelyMay The Maternal Feminine begins in a room where the atmosphere is tense but quiet, filled with a stillness that holds space for both anticipation and mourning. Sophy, seated calmly with her hands gently resting in her lap, looked every bit the composed elder, yet behind her quiet exterior was an awareness of the weight about to descend. When Marian King entered, she brought not just information but presence—firm and capable, with a kind of warmth that disarmed without softening the truth. Her youth…
    • The Master of Hounds Cover
      by LovelyMay In this chapter titled The Master of Hounds, the narrative explores not just a figurehead in the hunt, but a symbol of enduring tradition and social stewardship. The keyword appears early to signal the central theme—how leadership within the hunting world has evolved and what traits define the modern custodian of this ancient rural institution. Rather than focusing on a caricature like Jorrocks, who filled the role from necessity rather than prestige, the chapter draws attention to the authentic master…
    • The Man Who Hunts and Never Jumps Cover
      by LovelyMay In this chapter titled The Man Who Hunts and Never Jumps, introduces a refreshing re-evaluation of a widely held belief about fox-hunting: that leaping over formidable barriers is a mandatory badge of honor. The chapter begins by unraveling the common misconception—especially among those unfamiliar with the sport—that the essence of hunting lies in fearless jumps over hedges, stone walls, and five-barred gates. Yet the reality on the field paints a more nuanced picture. Many seasoned hunters approach…
    • The Man Who Hunts and Doesn’t Like It Cover
      by LovelyMay In this chapter titled The Man Who Hunts and Doesn’t Like It, introduces a reflection on those who ride not for pleasure, but to meet social expectations. The hunt, for them, is less about exhilaration and more about obligation—a performance played out in boots and breeches to maintain appearances within a community that reveres tradition. While others prepare for the chase with excitement, these individuals approach the season with reluctance masked by ritual. Their turnout is immaculate, their horses…
    • The Man Who Hunts and Does Like It Cover
      by LovelyMay In this chapter titled The Man Who Hunts and Does Like It, introduces a thoughtful portrait of a hunter whose relationship with fox-hunting is marked by equal parts passion and perplexity. He is not a novice or a casual participant, but someone deeply committed, whose love for the sport remains strong even as he wrestles with its many trials. His experience highlights a unique paradox: the hunt brings immense joy and yet demands unrelenting sacrifice, testing both his patience and priorities. Weather,…
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