How Barrington Returned to Johannesburg
Barrington, a wealthy young man, returns to Johannesburg after a long absence, eager to reconnect with his friends and old life. However, he soon finds that things have changed dramatically since his departure, including the rise of a new political power and the changing dynamics between the city's inhabitants. As Barrington navigates this new landscape, he must confront the challenges of adapting to his new surroundings and reconciling his past and present selves.
By A.E.W. Mason · First published 1915 · Genre: Adventure, Historical fiction, Drama · 3,892 words
First lines
Norris wanted a holiday. He stood in the marketplace looking southwards to the chimney-stacks, and dilating upon the subject to three of his friends. He was sick of the Stock Exchange, the men, the women, the drinks, the dances -- everything. He was as indifferent to the price of shares as to the rise and fall of the quicksilver in his barometer; he neither desired to go in on the ground floor nor to come out in the attics. He simply wanted to get clean away. Besides he foresaw a slump, and he would be actually saving money on the veld. At this point Teddy Isaacs strolled up and interrupted the oration.
"Where are you off to, then?"
What this Textopian page supports
How Barrington Returned to Johannesburg is listed on Textopian as a short story by A.E.W. Mason, dated 1915 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: A.E.W. Mason
- Date: 1915 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Historical fiction, Drama
- Length: 3,892 words
- Structure: 1 section, 48 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for How Barrington Returned to Johannesburg by A.E.W. Mason
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering How Barrington Returned to Johannesburg?
- How does this short story by A.E.W. Mason fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Adventure — The book follows the protagonist's journey back to Johannesburg, which carries many elements of adventure and travel.
- Historical fiction — The book's plot is set in the past, reflecting social and political conditions of that time.
- Drama — The book encompasses dramatic themes like the protagonist's return and dealing with past events.
Tags
19th century · across · away · back · barrington · behind · boy · buffalo · bull · came · camp · fiction