Father Payne by A.C. Benson (1927)

Name: Father Payne
Author: A.C. Benson

"Father Payne" is a novel by A.C. Benson that tells the story of Father Payne, a Catholic priest who becomes embroiled in a controversy when he is accused of being too lax in his interpretation of Church doctrine. As the story unfolds, Father Payne must navigate a complex web of religious and personal conflicts, all while trying to maintain his faith and his sense of purpose. The novel explores themes of spirituality, morality, and the challenges of living a life of service to others, and is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant read from start to finish.

By A.C. Benson · First published 1927 · Genre: Biography, Religion, Fiction · 60 chapters · 139,008 words

First lines

It was a good many years ago, soon after I left Oxford, when I was twenty-three years old, that all this happened. I had taken a degree in Classics, and I had not given much thought to my future profession. There was no very obvious opening for me, no family business, no influence in any particular direction. My father had been in the Army, but was long dead. My mother and only sister lived quietly in the country. I had no prosaic and practical uncles to push me into any particular line; while on coming of age I had inherited a little capital which brought me in some two hundred a year, so that I could afford to wait and look round. My only real taste was for literature. I wanted to write, but I had no very pressing aspirations or inspirations. I may confess that I was indolent, fond of company, but not afraid of comparative solitude, and I was moreover an entire dilettante.

What this Textopian page supports

Father Payne is listed on Textopian as a novel by A.C. Benson, dated 1927 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: A.C. Benson
Date: 1927 CE
Language: English
Genres: Biography, Religion, Fiction
Length: 139,008 words
Structure: 74 chapters, 1,428 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Work identity for Father Payne by A.C. Benson
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Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Father Payne?
How does this novel by A.C. Benson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Biography first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Biography — The book is based on the life experiences of a clergyman.
Religion — The frequent discussions and references to religious and spiritual matters align with this genre.
Fiction — Although based on real experiences, the overall narrative is sharpened and shaped for storytelling.