Old Quebec by Gilbert Parker (1903)

Name: Old Quebec
Author: Gilbert Parker

Old Quebec is a novel written by Gilbert Parker and published in 1904. The story takes place in the city of Quebec during the French regime, before the British conquest of Canada. It follows the lives of several characters, including Pierre Gagnon, a young man who becomes involved with the French resistance against the British occupation. The novel explores themes of love, loyalty, and betrayal, as well as the political and social tensions of the time period.

By Gilbert Parker · First published 1903 · Genre: Historical, Travel, Non-fiction · 21 chapters · 96,205 words

First lines

Living in the twentieth century, to which the uttermost parts of the earth are revealed, and with only the undiscovered poles left to lure us on, we cannot fully appreciate the geographical ignorance of the Middle Ages. The travels of Marco Polo had only lately revealed the wonders of the golden East, and in the West the Pillars of Hercules marked earth's furthest bound. Beyond lay the _mare tenebrosum_, the Mysterious Sea, girding the level world. England was not then one of the first nations of the earth. She was not yet a maritime power, she had not begun the work of colonisation and empire: the fulcrum of Europe lay further south. But as our Tudor sovereigns were making secure dominion in "these isles," the Byzantine Empire was moving slowly to its end, and favouring circumstances were already making Italy the centre of the world's commerce and culture.

What this Textopian page supports

Old Quebec is listed on Textopian as a novel by Gilbert Parker, dated 1903 CE.

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

Work type: Novel
Author: Gilbert Parker
Date: 1903 CE
Language: English
Genres: Historical, Travel, Non-fiction, Cultural
Length: 96,205 words
Structure: 21 chapters, 872 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Old Quebec by Gilbert Parker
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

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Old Quebec?
How does this novel by Gilbert Parker fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Historical first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Historical — The book provides a detailed account of the history and development of Quebec, focusing on historical events and figures.
Travel — The narrative includes descriptions of the geography, architecture, and cultural landmarks of Quebec, akin to a travelogue.
Non-fiction — The book is based on factual information and real events, providing an informative perspective on Quebec's past.
Cultural — It explores the cultural heritage and influences that have shaped Quebec, highlighting its unique identity.