An Elder Brother by Eglanton Thorne
The story revolves around Michael Betts, a solitary and shrewd second-hand bookseller in Bloomsbury, who has lived a life devoid of personal connections, focusing solely on his business. His life takes a turn when a little girl named Margery enters his shop, sparking a series of reflections on his past, particularly his estranged relationship with his younger brother, Frank. Michael's interactions with Margery and her family, especially after the death of her father, Professor Lavers, lead him to confront his own moral failings, including a significant lapse involving the discovery and retention of fifty pounds found in a work he purchased from the Lavers' estate. As Michael grapples with his conscience, he learns of his brother Frank's dire circumstances and eventual deathbed repentance. This encounter, coupled with Margery's illness and the kindness shown by her mother, catalyzes a transformation in Michael. He seeks redemption by returning the money to Mrs. Lavers and reconciling with his brother before his death. The story concludes with Michael embracing a newfound sense of family and purpose, as he takes in Frank's daughter, Kate, and begins to live a life enriched by love and connection, realizing the true wealth of human relationships.
By Eglanton Thorne · First published 1895 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Family Drama, Psychological Fiction · 12 chapters · 30,501 words
First lines
THERE are persons for whom no shop has a greater attraction than a second-hand book-shop. It may be that they have a passion for collecting the old and rare, and love to turn over the well-thumbed, dusty volumes, in the hope of lighting upon a treasure in the form of a first edition, or a work long out of print. Or they may be drawn merely by a desire to acquire cheaply the coveted book which their poverty will not permit them to purchase fresh from the publisher. Whatever the nature of the attraction, the shop of Michael Betts, which stood a few years ago at the corner of a narrow, quiet street in Bloomsbury, had for such individuals, an irresistible fascination.
What this Textopian page supports
An Elder Brother is listed on Textopian as a novella by Eglanton Thorne, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Eglanton Thorne
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Family Drama, Psychological Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Historical Fiction
- Length: 30,501 words
- Structure: 12 chapters, 597 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Elder Brother by Eglanton Thorne
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Genres
- Literary Fiction — Emphasizes deep character development and thematic complexity often found in introspective narratives.
- Family Drama — The title implies a focus on familial relationships and the dynamics of sibling roles.
- Psychological Fiction — Likely explores internal conflicts and the emotional depth of its characters.
- Coming-of-Age — May depict personal growth and the evolving identity associated with familial roles and responsibilities.
Tags
family drama · sibling rivalry · coming-of-age · identity crisis · psychological conflict · character study · personal growth · betrayal · redemption · moral dilemmas · interpersonal conflict · emotional depth
Contents
- Old Betts
- A Neighbour
- Little Margery's Loss
- Michael Makes a Good Bargain
- Unrighteous Gain
- An Unwelcome Encounter
- In the Grip of Pain
- The Burden Makes itself Felt
- Restitution
- Michael Finds a Friend
- Mutual Confession
- Michael's House Becomes a Home