A Thief in the Night by E.w. Hornung

Name: A Thief in the Night
Author: E.w. Hornung

"A Thief in the Night" by E.W. Hornung follows the character Bunny Manders as he recounts his complex relationship with the notorious thief A.J. Raffles. The story begins with Bunny reflecting on their early days and the moral dilemmas he faced due to Raffles' influence. Bunny is engaged to a woman whose family disapproves of him, and he struggles with his feelings of unworthiness. One night, after a series of gambling losses, Bunny confides in Raffles about his troubles. Raffles, ever the opportunist, proposes a burglary at the home of Lord Lochmaben, who has recently moved into a house previously owned by Bunny's fiancée's family. Despite his initial reluctance, Bunny is drawn into Raffles' plan, driven by a mix of loyalty and temptation. As they execute the burglary, Bunny encounters his fiancée, who is unaware of his criminal activities. Their meeting is fraught with tension, and Bunny is torn between his love for her and his complicity in Raffles' schemes. The situation escalates when they are nearly caught, leading to a frantic escape. Ultimately, Bunny's admiration for Raffles is overshadowed by the realization of the moral cost of their actions, particularly as he witnesses the impact on the woman he loves. The story explores themes of loyalty, temptation, and the conflict between personal desires and ethical boundaries.

By E.w. Hornung · First published 1905 · Genre: Crime Fiction, Mystery, Thriller · 10 chapters · 75,651 words

First lines

If I must tell more tales of Raffles, I can but back to our earliest days together, and fill in the blanks left by discretion in existing annals. In so doing I may indeed fill some small part of an infinitely greater blank, across which you may conceive me to have stretched my canvas for the first frank portrait of my friend. The whole truth cannot harm him now. I shall paint in every wart. Raffles was a villain, when all is written; it is no service to his memory to glaze the fact; yet I have done so myself before today. I have omitted whole heinous episodes. I have dwelt unduly on the redeeming side. And this I may do again, blinded even as I write by the gallant glamour that made my villain more to me than any hero. But at least there shall be no more reservations, and as an earnest I shall make no further secret of the greatest wrong that even Raffles ever did me.

What this Textopian page supports

A Thief in the Night is listed on Textopian as a novel by E.w. Hornung, dated 1905 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: E.w. Hornung
Date: 1905 CE
Language: English
Genres: Crime Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Adventure, Literary Fiction
Length: 75,651 words
Structure: 10 chapters, 1,225 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Crime Fiction — The plot revolves around theft and criminal activities, central to the narrative.
Mystery — The story involves elements of suspense and intrigue, typical of mystery genres.
Thriller — The tension and excitement in the plot create a thrilling atmosphere.
Adventure — The protagonist's escapades and challenges reflect adventure themes.