The Definite Object
The novel revolves around the life of a young man who becomes embroiled in a complex web of relationships and deceit after he inherits a large sum of money from a distant relative. He must navigate his way through high society, all while trying to uncover the truth about his family's past and the circumstances surrounding his inheritance.
By Jeffery Farnol · First published 1921 · Genre: Romance, Adventure, Historical Fiction · 46 chapters · 143,343 words
First lines
In the writing of books, as all the world knows, two things are above all other things essential -- the one is to know exactly when and where to leave off, and the other to be equally certain when and where to begin.
Now this book, naturally enough, begins with Mr. Brimberly's whiskers; begins at that moment when he coughed and pulled down his waistcoat for the first time. And yet (since action is as necessary to the success of a book as to life itself) it should perhaps begin more properly at the psychological moment when Mr. Brimberly coughed and pulled down the garment aforesaid for the third time, since it is then that the real action of this story commences.
What this Textopian page supports
The Definite Object is listed on Textopian as a novel by Jeffery Farnol, dated 1921 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Jeffery Farnol
- Date: 1921 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Drama, Mystery
- Length: 143,343 words
- Structure: 46 chapters, 4,298 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Definite Object by Jeffery Farnol
- 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 Definite Object?
- How does this novel by Jeffery Farnol fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Martin Conisbys Vengeance by Jeffery Farnol
- The Duke Of Silversheen Que Amissa Salva by John Arthur Barry
Genres
- Romance — The narrative centers around romantic relationships and emotional connections.
- Adventure — The plot involves journeys and explorations, often with elements of excitement and risk.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and context reflect a specific historical period, enriching the narrative.
- Drama — The story explores complex characters and emotional conflicts, emphasizing personal growth.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Romance · Adventure · Regency Era · England · Social Class · Love Triangle · Family Drama · Marriage of Convenience · Forbidden Love · Class Conflict · High Society
Contents
- Which Describes, Among other Things, a Pair of Whiskers
- Of a Mournful Millionaire who Lacked an Object
- How Geoffrey Ravenslee Went Seeking an Object
- Telling how he Came to Hell's Kitchen at Peep o' Day
- How Mrs. Trapes Acquired a New Lodger, Despite her Elbows
- How Spike Initiated Mr. Ravenslee into the Gentle Art of Shopping
- Concerning Ankles, Stairs, and Neighbourliness
- Of Candies and Confidences
- Which Recounts the End of an Episode
- Tells how Mr. Ravenslee Went into Trade
- Antagonism is Born and War Declared
- Containing some Description of a Supper Party
- Wherein May be Found some Particulars of the Beautiful City of Perhaps
- Of a Text, a Letter, and a Song
- Which Introduces Joe and the Old Un
- Of the First and Second Persons, Singular Number
- How Geoffrey Ravenslee Made a Deal in Real Estate
- How Spike Hearkened to Poisonous Suggestion and Soapy Began to Wonder
- In which the Poison Begins to Work
- Of an Expedition by Night
- How M'Ginnis Threatened and -- Went
- Tells of an Early Morning Visit and a Warning
- Chiefly Concerning a Letter
- How the Old Un and Certain Others had Tea
- How Spike Made a Choice and a Promise
- Which Makes further Mention of a Ring
- Mrs. Trapes Upon the Millennium
- Which should have Related Details of a Wedding
- In which Hermione Makes a Fateful Decision
- How Geoffrey Ravenslee Departed from Hell's Kitchen
- In which Soapy Takes a Hand
- Of Harmony and Discord
- Of Tragedy
- Of Remorse
- How Geoffrey Ravenslee Came out of the Dark
- Concerning a Clew
- The Woes of Mr. Brimberly
- In which Soapy Takes Upon himself a New Role
- The Old Un Advises and Ravenslee Acts
- Concerning a Handful of Pebbles
- Of a Packet of Letters
- Tells how Ravenslee Broke his Word and Why
- How Spike Got Even
- Retribution
- Of the Old Un and Fate
- In which Geoffrey Ravenslee Obtains his Object