A Spin of the Coin by E.W. Hornung
A SPIN OF THE COIN is a novel by E.W. Hornung that follows the adventures of gentleman thief A.J. Raffles and his sidekick Bunny Manders. The story takes place in Victorian England and involves a series of heists, double-crosses, and narrow escapes. Along the way, Raffles and Bunny encounter a cast of colorful characters, including a beautiful woman who may or may not be trustworthy, a corrupt police officer, and a wealthy industrialist with a secret past. The novel is known for its fast-paced action, witty dialogue, and intricate plot twists.
By E.W. Hornung · First published 1897 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Romance, Psychological Drama · 3,232 words
First lines
Unfortunately the young man was not by any means the genius he looked, with his pale, keen face and hungry eyes: or fortunately, as some may say: since there is now no occasion to grieve for him on national grounds. For the rest, he had none so near to him as to provoke your sympathy with the living, being either unable or else unwilling to claim any sort of kinship with others of his name. In fine he was without a friend in the world, save one only, who swore to wait for him, if need be, till she became an old, old woman.
We will call him Saumerez, and his friend Sapphira.
What this Textopian page supports
A Spin of the Coin is listed on Textopian as a short story by E.W. Hornung, dated 1897 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: E.W. Hornung
- Date: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Romance, Psychological Drama, Art Fiction, Tragedy
- Length: 3,232 words
- Structure: 1 section, 31 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Spin of the Coin by E.W. Hornung
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Spin of the Coin?
- How does this short story by E.W. Hornung fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The book explores complex themes of ambition, love, and despair through character-driven narratives and introspective writing.
- Romance — The central relationship between Saumerez and Sapphira drives the plot, highlighting themes of love and emotional conflict.
- Psychological Drama — The story delves into the psychological struggles of the protagonist, particularly his obsession and emotional turmoil.
- Art Fiction — The setting in an art studio and the protagonist's journey as an artist are pivotal to the narrative.
Tags
mystery · crime · thriller · suspense · detective · short stories · literary fiction · plot twist · intrigue · adventure · narrative · character study