A Comedy of Masks by Ernest Dowson

Name: A Comedy of Masks
Author: Ernest Dowson

The story revolves around a young man who becomes infatuated with a mysterious woman he meets at a masquerade ball. He pursues her, but she remains elusive and enigmatic, leading him on a series of adventures and misadventures through the city's high society. As he delves deeper into her mystery, he uncovers a web of deceit and hidden identities that threaten to destroy his own reputation and social standing.

By Ernest Dowson · First published 1893 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Realism, Drama · 34 chapters · 113,018 words

First lines

In that intricate and obscure locality, which stretches between the Tower and Poplar, a tarry region, scarcely suspected by the majority of Londoners, to whom the "Port of London" is an expression purely geographical, there is, or was not many years ago, to be found a certain dry dock called Blackpool, but better known from time immemorial to skippers and longshoremen, and all who go down to the sea in ships, as "Rainham's Dock."

What this Textopian page supports

A Comedy of Masks is listed on Textopian as a novel by Ernest Dowson, dated 1893 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Ernest Dowson
Date: 1893 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Realism, Drama, Romance, Impressionism
Length: 113,018 words
Structure: 34 chapters, 1,959 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering A Comedy of Masks?
How does this novel by Ernest Dowson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The book explores complex characters and themes, focusing on personal and artistic struggles, which are hallmarks of literary fiction.
Realism — The narrative presents a realistic portrayal of life in a specific locale, emphasizing the mundane aspects of existence and the intricacies of human relationships.
Drama — The interactions between characters and the emotional depth of their conversations create a dramatic tension that drives the narrative.
Romance — There are elements of romantic interest and relationships that influence character motivations and plot development.