The altar fire by A.C. Benson (1907)

Name: The altar fire
Author: A.C. Benson

"The Altar Fire" is a novella written by A.C. Benson in 1908. The story follows the life of a young man named John Morland, who has returned to his hometown after serving in the Boer War. John is haunted by the memories of the war and struggles to adjust to civilian life. He becomes fascinated with an old altar fire that he discovers in the woods, which he believes holds the key to understanding the mystery of his past. As John becomes more obsessed with the fire, he begins to question his own sanity and the true nature of reality. The novella explores themes of trauma, identity, and the human search for meaning and purpose.

By A.C. Benson · First published 1907 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Psychological Fiction · 60 chapters · 102,364 words

First lines

It will perhaps be said, and truly felt, that the following is a morbid book. No doubt the subject is a morbid one, because the book deliberately gives a picture of a diseased spirit. But a pathological treatise, dealing with cancer or paralysis, is not necessarily morbid, though it may be studied in a morbid mood. We have learnt of late years, to our gain and profit, to think and speak of bodily ailments as natural phenomena, not to slur over them and hide them away in attics and bedrooms. We no longer think of insanity as demoniacal possession, and we no longer immure people with diseased brains in the secluded apartments of lovely houses. But we still tend to think of the sufferings of the heart and soul as if they were unreal, imaginary, hypochondriacal things, which could be cured by a little resolution and by intercourse with cheerful society; and by this foolish and secretive reticence we lose both sympathy and help.

What this Textopian page supports

The altar fire is listed on Textopian as a novel by A.C. Benson, dated 1907 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: 1907 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Psychological Fiction, Historical Fiction
Length: 102,364 words
Structure: 94 chapters, 771 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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

Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The writing style and character explorations, as well as the heavy focus on personal thoughts and feelings, place this book firmly within the literary fiction genre.
Drama — The conflicts and heightened emotions present in the book make drama a fitting genre.
Psychological Fiction — The exploration of characters' mind and thoughts as well as their motivations align this book with the psychological fiction genre.
Historical Fiction — The setting and period-specific details present in the work suggest elements of historical fiction.