Showing results by author "Ford Madox Ford" in All Categories

After a train accident, one Mr. Sorrell finds himself transported back to the Middle Ages, where he is mistaken for a Greek slave who works miracles. As he becomes acclimated to the customs and way of life of the time, and then as he falls in love, he finds himself feeling increasingly at home in the past. But will he be able to stay there? Summary by Scarbo

What does it mean to be "just good people?" That is how the two couples—one British and one American—in this story are described. But what happens when you look deeper, peeling back the layers of politeness and civility? It is a tale of love, of disappointment, of miscommunication, and missed opportunities.

Joseph Conrad (1857 – 1924) was a Polish-British writer regarded as one of the greatest novelists to write in the English language. Though he did not speak English fluently until his twenties, he was a master prose stylist who brought a non-English sensibility into English literature. Conrad wrote stories and novels, many with a nautical setting, that depict trials of the human spirit in the midst of what he saw as an impassive, inscrutable universe. Conrad collaborated in some works with Ford Madox Ford. Ford (1873 – 1939) was an English novelist, poet, critic and editor whose journals ...

In this delightful tale, the naive and sheltered Queen Eldrida learns the secret of flight from her friend the bat and sets off by air for a series of unusual adventures. In her travels she meets new friends - and foes - and discovers the joy of being of use to her fellows. (Summary by Scarbo)

This is the second book in Ford's Fifth Queen trilogy, a series of historical novels presenting a fictionalized version of the life of Katharine Howard, the fifth wife of Henry VIII. In this installment, the king is becoming increasingly drawn to Katharine. He is married to Anne of Cleves, however, and Katharine's unwillingness to be the cause of a divorce stands in the way of her accepting queenship. Meanwhile, Lord Privy Seal Thomas Cromwell and his men conspire to use Katharine as a pawn for their own political ends. (Summary by Scarbo) The Fifth Queen Privy Seal

Set in the turbulent era just before and during the Great War, Some Do Not... delves into the dark depths of social cruelty within the English upper class. This gripping tale contrasts genuine honor with shameless duplicity, thrusting its central characters into extreme psychological turmoil that echoes the unspeakable physical horrors of the battlefield. The narrative follows the complex lives of Christopher Tietjens, a brilliant yet impossibly principled man; his frosty wife Sylvia; and Valentine Wannop, a passionate and educated young woman who is Christophers equal in both intellect and ...

In the final installment of Ford Madox Fords Parades End tetralogy, Last Post invites readers into a poignant and elegiac narrative. Set against the backdrop of rural England years after the Great War, we find Christopher Tietjens and his partner Valentine Wannop navigating the complexities of their lives as they await the arrival of a child. Meanwhile, Christophers older brother lies incapacitated, and the specter of his fiery wife Sylvia looms, threatening to disrupt their fragile peace. Fords storytelling demands engagement and patience as it weaves between different times and perspectives,...

First published in 1915, *The Good Soldier* can be described as a melodrama of English upper-class infidelities, intricately pieced together and retold in a non-linear fashion by a narrator who sometimes seems half-asleep. While this perspective holds some truth, many readers have recognized the novels enchanting voice, pioneering narrative style, and sharp portrayal of erotic repression as the hallmarks of a literary masterpiece. In 2015, the BBC ranked *The Good Soldier* 13th on its list of the 100 greatest British novels. (Summary by Peter Dann)

When a train accident catapults Mr. Sorrell back to the enchanting Middle Ages, he is mistaken for a miraculous Greek slave. As he navigates the customs and intricacies of this bygone era, he finds himself not only adapting but also falling deeply in love. The more he embraces this new life, the more he questions his desire to return to the present. Will he choose to stay in the past where his heart truly belongs? Summary by Scarbo

A Man Could Stand Up marks the third and final installment of Ford Madox Fords acclaimed Parades End tetralogy, following Some Do Not and No More Parades, with Last Post serving as its poignant coda. While this novel can be enjoyed on its own, it truly shines for those already acquainted with its predecessors. Set against the backdrop of World War I, particularly in the trenches of France in 1918, it weaves a rich tapestry of social upheaval, profound love, and the complexities of human experience. Much like Virginia Woolfs Mrs. Dalloway, published just a year prior, Fords work appeals to ...

An invading group from the Fourth Dimension takes over a corrupt Earth - Summary by Mark Leder

In Soul of London, Ford Madox Ford invites listeners on a captivating journey through the heart of one of the worlds most fascinating cities. He reflects on the complex relationship Londoners have with their city—whether they cherish it or feel a sense of disdain, its allure is undeniable. Ford seeks to capture the essence of modern London, steering clear of dry facts and figures, and instead immersing himself in the vibrant atmosphere that has shaped the lives of countless individuals. This is not just a geographical exploration; it’s a heartfelt homage to a city that has served as a ...

First published in 1925, No More Parades received high praise from critics, with The Observer declaring the initial 100 pages to easily surpass in truth, brilliance, and subtlety everything else that has yet been written in England about the physical circumstances and moral atmosphere of the war. As the second novel in the Parades End tetralogy, it follows army captain Christopher Tietjens—a former civil servant and statistician—alongside his beautiful yet cruel wife Sylvia, and his jealous and tempestuous godfather, General Campion. Set in the tumultuous backdrop of Rouen, France in 1917,...

Igennem ni år har det amerikanske ægtepar John og Florence tilbragt deres somre på et mondænt kursted i den tyske by Nauheim. Det samme er tilfældet for det engelske par Edward og Leonora. Et venskab er spiret frem mellem ægteparrene i en verden styret af etikette og pli. Ren idyl, tilsyneladende, men krusninger begynder snart at vise sig på den ellers så verdslige overflade.

In this gripping first installment of a trilogy by Conrad and Ford, an anonymous narrator teeters on the edge of exposure amidst a devastating breach of fiduciary trust and a looming financial scandal. As he pours his heart out in a series of poignant letters to his beloved, he grapples with despair and contemplates the unthinkable—suicide.

In the gripping second installment of Fords Fifth Queen trilogy, we delve deeper into the tumultuous life of Katharine Howard, the fifth wife of Henry VIII. As the king becomes increasingly enamored with Katharine, she finds herself caught in a web of political intrigue. Although married to Anne of Cleves, Katharine struggles with her own conscience, unwilling to be the catalyst for a devastating divorce. Meanwhile, the cunning Lord Privy Seal, Thomas Cromwell, plots to manipulate Katharine for his own ambitions, setting the stage for a riveting tale of love, loyalty, and betrayal. (Summary by...

In the gripping conclusion of Fords The Fifth Queen trilogy, we follow the tumultuous journey of Katharine Howard, now a queen but facing perilous challenges. As calumnious rumors swirl through the kings court, Katharines reputation and very life hang in the balance. Will she navigate the treacherous waters of royal intrigue and secure her place in history? (Summary by Scarbo) The Fifth Queen Privy Seal

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the Fifth Queen trilogy, a series of interconnected historical novels by renowned English author Ford Madox Ford. This trilogy includes The Fifth Queen; And How She Came to Court (1906), Privy Seal (1907), and The Fifth Queen Crowned (1908), which weave a richly fictionalized narrative of Katharine Howards tumultuous marriage to King Henry VIII. Discover the intrigue, passion, and drama that defined this tumultuous era. (Summary by Wikipedia)

The Good Soldier (1915) unfolds just before World War I, painting a poignant portrait of two seemingly flawless couples whose lives are marred by tragedy. Through a masterful use of non-chronological storytelling and the innovative technique of the unreliable narrator, author Ford Madox Ford gradually unveils a narrative that starkly contrasts with the initial impressions given. Inspired by real-life incidents of infidelity and Fords own tumultuous experiences, this novel offers a deep exploration of love, betrayal, and the complexities of human relationships. (Summary by Wikipedia) Music ...

In this enchanting tale, the innocent and sheltered Queen Eldrida discovers the magic of flight with the help of her friend, a wise bat. Embarking on aerial adventures, she encounters a host of new friends and adversaries, ultimately learning the true joy of serving her community. Join her as she soars through a world of wonder and self-discovery. (Summary by Scarbo)