The Rubicon by E.F. Benson (1943)

Name: The Rubicon
Author: E.F. Benson

The Rubicon is a novel by E.F. Benson that explores the themes of power, corruption, and the blurring of moral lines. The story follows the rise and fall of a fictional British politician named Sir Henry Ashton, who becomes embroiled in a scandal involving his mistress and a young man he has taken under his wing. As the situation spirals out of control, Ashton finds himself increasingly isolated and disillusioned with the political machine he once served so well. Throughout the novel, Benson employs a distinctive style that is both witty and insightful, offering a scathing critique of the political establishment and the ways in which power can corrupt even the most well-intentioned individuals. The Rubicon is a thought-provoking and timely work that continues to resonate with readers today.

By E.F. Benson · First published 1943 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Drama, Psychological Fiction · 15 chapters · 90,134 words

First lines

The little red-roofed town of Hayes lies in a furrow of the broad-backed Wiltshire Downs; it was once an important posting station, and you may still see there an eighteenth century inn, much too large for the present requirements of the place, and telling of the days when, three times a week, the coach from London used to pull up at its hospitable door, and wait there half-an-hour while its passengers dined. The inn is called the Grampound Arms, and you will find that inside the church many marble Grampounds recline on their tombs, or raise hands of prayer, while outside in the churchyard, weeping cherubs, with reversed torches, record other pious and later memories of the same family.

What this Textopian page supports

The Rubicon is listed on Textopian as a novel by E.F. Benson, dated 1943 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: 1943 CE
Language: English
Genres: Historical Fiction, Drama, Psychological Fiction
Length: 90,134 words
Structure: 15 chapters, 1,865 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Historical Fiction — The book heavily focuses on the historical context, characters and events around the crossing of the Rubicon. These elements fit into the historical fiction genre.
Drama — The narrative undertones of the book involve elements of interpersonal conflict, emotional struggle and societal pressures, all features common to drama.
Psychological Fiction — The book explores the psychological landscape of the people around the event of crossing the Rubicon, diving into their motivations, fears, and thoughts. This aligns with the psychological fiction genre.