Limitations by E.F. Benson (2023)

Name: Limitations
Author: E.F. Benson

Limitations is a collection of short stories by E.F. Benson that was first published in 1935. The book explores the theme of human limitations and how they can affect our lives. Each story features characters who are faced with challenges or obstacles that they must overcome, often through their own efforts and perseverance. Some of the stories include "The Man Who Was Thursday," which is about a group of people who meet every week to discuss philosophical questions, but one member begins to question everything he believes in; "The Room in Rotherhithe," which is about a man who discovers that his room has been haunted by the ghost of a woman for years; and "The Collector," which is about a man who becomes obsessed with collecting objects, but soon realizes that his obsession is taking over his life. Overall, Limitations is a thought-provoking collection of stories that explores the human condition in all its complexity and nuance.

By E.F. Benson · First published 2023 · Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction, Drama · 18 chapters · 113,016 words

First lines

Tom Carlingford was sitting at his piano, in his rooms at King's College, Cambridge, playing the overture to _Lohengrin_ with the most indifferent success. It was a hot night in the middle of August, and he was dressed suitably, if not elegantly, in a canvas shirt, a pair of flannel trousers, and socks. He had no tie on, and he was smoking a meerschaum bowl of peculiarly spotted appearance, through a long cherry-wood stem. The remains of a nondescript meal laid coldly on the table, and a cricket-bag on the hearth-rug, seemed to indicate that he had been away playing cricket, and had got back too late for hall. The piano was almost as disreputable in appearance as its master, for it stood in a thorough draught, between the windows opening on to the front lawn and the door opening into the smaller sitting-room, and the guttering candle was making a fine stalactite formation of wax on D in alt.

What this Textopian page supports

Limitations is listed on Textopian as a novel by E.F. Benson, dated 2023 CE.

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

Work type: Novel
Author: E.F. Benson
Date: 2023 CE
Language: English
Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Drama, Social Critique
Length: 113,016 words
Structure: 18 chapters, 2,400 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Romance — The narrative largely focuses on the personal relations and romantic entanglements of the characters.
Historical Fiction — The book's setting offers a glimpse into English society during the Edwardian era.
Drama — The book deals with conflict, emotion, and intense interpersonal drama.
Social Critique — The story presents commentary and critique of societal norms and expectations of its time.