The Challoners by E.F. Benson (2023)

Name: The Challoners
Author: E.F. Benson

The Challoners is a novel by E.F. Benson that was first published in 1928. It tells the story of a family living in a large country house called The Challoners, which has been passed down through generations. The main character, Sir John Challoner, is a retired army officer who lives with his wife and two daughters at the estate. The novel explores themes such as class, social status, and family dynamics. It also features a number of interesting characters, including Sir John's younger brother, Lord Challoner, who is a charming but unreliable character; Lady Challoner, Sir John's wife, who is a strong-willed woman with a sharp tongue; and the family's servants, who are loyal and devoted to their employers. The novel has been praised for its wit and humor, as well as its insightful portrayal of upper-class British society in the early 20th century. It is considered one of Benson's most popular works and has been adapted into several stage productions and films over the years.

By E.F. Benson · First published 2023 · Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance · 15 chapters · 115,993 words

First lines

The hot stress of a real midsummer day towards the end of June had given place to the exquisite tempered warmth of evening, and a little breeze born of the hour before sunset, and made fragrant among the glowing flower-beds of the vicarage garden just ruffled the hair of Helen Challoner as she half sat, half lay in a long deck-chair at the edge of the croquet-lawn, reading a red-covered book with the absorbed intentness which she devoted to any occupation that interested her. To the west a line of tall box-hedge, of that smooth and compacted growth which many years alone can give, screened her from the level rays of the sun, which was but an hour above the horizon, and performed the almost more desirable function of screening her from the windows of the house, for a cigarette was between her fingers, and the juxtaposition of women and tobacco was a combination that had probably never occurred to her father as possible.

What this Textopian page supports

The Challoners 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: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Drama, Adventure
Length: 115,993 words
Structure: 15 chapters, 2,152 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Fiction — The novel falls under the broad category of Fiction as characters and events are imaginary.
Historical Fiction — The book is set in 18th century England, therefore, it can be defined as Historical Fiction.
Romance — The relationship dynamics and love stories between characters classify it as a Romance novel.
Drama — The highly emotional content and themes of love, power, social status and complication in relationships make Drama a relevant genre.