Jonah's Luck by Fergus Hume (1892)

Name: Jonah's Luck
Author: Fergus Hume

The story revolves around Jonah Wimpole, a young man with an extraordinary streak of bad luck. His misfortunes begin when he inherits a large sum of money from a distant relative, but this newfound wealth only brings him trouble and misery. As Jonah navigates his way through a series of unfortunate events, he becomes embroiled in a mystery involving murder, theft, and deceit.

By Fergus Hume · First published 1892 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary · 27 chapters · 121,359 words

First lines

It was the close of a chilly autumn day; and under a lowering grey sky the landscape of river and marsh and low-lying hills looked forbiddingly forlorn. White mists veiled the wet earth; the road, running between withered hedgerows, was ankle-deep in mud, and the stubbled fields held streaks of water between their ploughed ridges. Occasionally the pale beams of a weakened sun would break through the foggy air: but the fitful light, without warmth or power, only served to accentuate the depression of the scene. The most cheerful of men would have succumbed to the pessimism of the moment.

What this Textopian page supports

Jonah's Luck is listed on Textopian as a novel by Fergus Hume, dated 1892 CE.

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

Work type: Novel
Author: Fergus Hume
Date: 1892 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary, Mystery, Historical Fiction
Length: 121,359 words
Structure: 27 chapters, 3,095 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

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Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Jonah's Luck?
How does this novel by Fergus Hume 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 deep themes of despair, identity, and the human condition through rich character development and introspective narrative.
Drama — The plot revolves around personal struggles, social issues, and character interactions that evoke emotional responses.
Social Commentary — The narrative critiques societal norms and the plight of the unemployed, reflecting on class and poverty.
Mystery — Elements of intrigue are present, particularly surrounding the identities and backstories of the characters.