The Lust of Hate

The Lust of Hate by Guy Boothby

The Lust of Hate is a novel by Guy Boothby, first published in 1898. It tells the story of a young man, John Davenant, who is sent to India to take up a post in the Indian Civil Service. He soon finds himself embroiled in a dangerous game of intrigue and deception, as he is drawn into a web of political and religious conspiracies. John soon discovers that he is being manipulated by a powerful and mysterious figure known as the Rajah of Bhurtpore. The Rajah is determined to use John to further his own ambitions, and John must use all his wits and courage to survive. Along the way, he meets a beautiful and mysterious woman, who may be the key to unlocking the secrets of the Rajah's plans. The novel is a thrilling adventure story, full of suspense and intrigue. It is also a fascinating exploration of the culture and politics of India in the late 19th century. With its vivid characters and exotic setting, The Lust of Hate is an exciting and captivating read.

By Guy Boothby · First published 1898 · Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Romance · 13 chapters · 80,738 words

First lines

Let me begin by explaining that I have set myself the task of telling this story for two sufficient reasons. The first, because I consider that it presents as good a warning to a young fellow as he could anywhere find, against allowing himself to be deluded by a false hatred into committing a sin that at any other time he would consider in every way contemptible and cowardly; and the second, because I think it just possible that it may serve to set others on their guard against one of the most unscrupulous men, if man he is--of which I begin to have my doubts--who ever wore shoe leather. If the first should prove of no avail, I can console myself with the reflection that I have at least done my best, and, at any rate, can have wrought no harm; if the second is not required, well, in that case, I think I shall have satisfactorily proved to my reader, whoever he may be, what a truly lucky man he may consider himself never to have fallen into Dr. Nikola's clutches. What stroke of ill fortune brought me into this fiend's power I suppose I shall never be able to discover. One thing, however, is very certain, that is that I have no sort of desire ever to see or hear of him again. Sometimes when I lie in bed at night, and my dear wife--the truest and noblest woman, I verily believe, who ever came into this world for a man's comfort and consolation--is sleeping by my side, I think of all the curious adventures I have passed through in the last two years, and then fall to wondering how on earth I managed to come out of them alive, to say nothing of doing so with so much happiness as is now my portion. This sort of moralising, however, is not telling my tale; so if you will excuse me, kind reader, I will bring myself to my bearings and plunge into my narrative forthwith.

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romance · drama · suspense · betrayal · passion · obsession · love · conflict · jealousy · mystery · adventure · psychological

Contents

More by Guy Boothby