The Case of Beauvais
The story revolves around a young woman who returns to her childhood home after being away for many years. She becomes embroiled in the lives of the local people and must confront her own past and the secrets that have been kept from her. The narrative explores themes of identity, community, and the complexities of human relationships.
By James Oliver Curwood · First published 1920 · Genre: Mystery, Adventure, Drama · 3,944 words
First lines
Madness? Perhaps. And yet if it was madness. .
But strange things happen up there, gentlemen. I have found it sometimes hard to define that word. There are so many kinds of madness, so many ways in which the human brain may go wrong; and so often it happens that what we call madness is both reasonable and just. It is so. Yes. A little reason is good for us, a little more makes wise men of some of us -- but when our reason over-grows us and we reach too far, something breaks and we go insane.
What this Textopian page supports
The Case of Beauvais is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Oliver Curwood, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: James Oliver Curwood
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Adventure, Drama, Thriller, Historical Fiction
- Length: 3,944 words
- Structure: 1 section, 38 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Case of Beauvais by James Oliver Curwood
- 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 The Case of Beauvais?
- How does this short story by James Oliver Curwood fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Mystery — The narrative revolves around a mysterious murder case and the investigation into the events leading to the deaths of key characters.
- Adventure — The story involves a perilous journey through a dangerous and uncharted wilderness, highlighting themes of survival and exploration.
- Drama — The plot is driven by intense emotional conflicts, including betrayal, love, and revenge, which are central to the characters' motivations.
- Thriller — The tension and suspense are maintained throughout the narrative, particularly in the pursuit and confrontation between the characters.
Tags
Adventure · Fiction · Historical Fiction · Romance · Drama · Literary Fiction · Classic Literature · 19th Century Setting · French Setting · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Love Story