Lord Tony's Wife by Emma Orczy

Name: Lord Tony's Wife
Author: Emma Orczy

The story revolves around Pierre Adet, a young man from a village in France, who is consumed by hatred towards the aristocracy, particularly the duc de Kernogan. His passion for revenge is fueled by the death sentence of Antoine Melun, a wheelwright and his sister's intended husband, who was arrested and tried for poaching on the duke's land. Pierre has been educated in philosophy and classics, and has read influential works such as Rousseau's Contrat Social and Marat's L'ami du Peuple. He has become a leader among the village lads, who are also fueled by their own grievances against the aristocracy. The story takes place in a time of great social unrest, with peasants rising up against their oppressors. Pierre and his followers plan to strike at the duc de Kernogan's château, which they see as a symbol of tyranny. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Pierre's actions are driven by a desire for revenge and a lust for power. He is willing to risk everything to overthrow the aristocracy and bring about a new era of equality and justice. The narrative is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, with its themes of class struggle, social inequality, and the rise of radical ideologies. The story explores the complexities of human nature, particularly the ways in which individuals can be driven by passion and ideology to commit violent acts. Throughout the narrative, the author portrays a sense of impending doom, as Pierre's actions become increasingly reckless and desperate. The story builds towards a catastrophic confrontation between Pierre and his followers, and the forces of oppression that they seek to overthrow.

By Emma Orczy · First published 1922 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Romance · 25 chapters · 105,386 words

First lines

"Tyrant! tyrant! tyrant! "

It was Pierre who spoke, his voice was hardly raised above a murmur, but there was such an intensity of passion expressed in his face, in the fingers of his hand which closed slowly and convulsively as if they were clutching the throat of a struggling viper, there was so much hate in those muttered words, so much power, such compelling and awesome determination that an ominous silence fell upon the village lads and the men who sat with him in the low narrow room of the auberge des Trois Vertus.

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Lord Tony's Wife is listed on Textopian as a novel by Emma Orczy, dated 1922 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Emma Orczy
Date: 1922 CE
Language: English
Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Romance, Mystery
Length: 105,386 words
Structure: 25 chapters, 1,951 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Historical Fiction — The story is set during the French Revolution and incorporates historical context and characters.
Adventure — The novel features a quest and the protagonist faces several challenges and adversities along the journey.
Romance — The relationship and marriage between Tony and Yvonne is a central theme, showcasing romantic elements.
Mystery — Throughout the novel, there are elements of intrigue and secrets to be unveiled.