The God of Coincidence
The narrative revolves around the theme of coincidence and its role in shaping human destinies. The story begins with a character named Holworthy, who is disillusioned after being ignored by a wealthy heiress. He decides to leave for the Congo, seeking an escape from his troubles. His friend, Joe Hutton, humorously suggests that Holworthy's creditors must be at the same hotel as the heiress, highlighting the interconnectedness of their lives. The author presents various scenarios where coincidence plays a pivotal role in altering the course of events. For instance, a mother, Mrs. Montclair, is about to elope with her lover when her child’s cry diverts her attention, leading her to abandon her plans. Similarly, a young couple, Gwendolyn and Beef Walters, plan to elope but are thwarted by a series of coincidental events involving a butler and a policeman, ultimately resulting in a happy resolution. The story then shifts to a more serious tone, focusing on a peace conference in London where the fate of Europe hangs in the balance. Sam Lowell, a struggling writer, finds himself in a precarious situation as he tries to secure a future with his love, Polly Seward. He is in dire financial straits, unable to pay his rent, and is determined to find a way to stay in London to be near Polly. As the peace conference unfolds, a leak in the proceedings threatens the negotiations. The narrative introduces Adolf Hertz, a clerk suspected of leaking information to the Times newspaper. The tension builds as the authorities attempt to uncover the source of the leak, leading to a series of events that intertwine Sam's fate with the political turmoil. Sam's journey is marked by his determination to succeed as a writer and his love for Polly. He faces numerous obstacles, including financial struggles and familial disapproval. The story culminates in a dramatic twist when Sam inadvertently acquires a document containing the Treaty of London, which he believes could change his fortunes. In a moment of serendipity, he encounters Baron Haussmann, a wealthy banker, and presents the treaty to him. This encounter not only solidifies Sam's place in the world of politics and finance but also paves the way for his future with Polly. The narrative concludes with Sam's declaration of his intentions to marry Polly, emphasizing the theme of coincidence as a driving force in their lives. Overall, the work explores the intricate web of coincidences that connect individuals, shaping their destinies in unexpected ways. The characters navigate love, ambition, and societal expectations, ultimately finding their paths through the whims of fate.
By Richard Harding Davis · First published 1904 · Genre: Romantic Comedy, Adventure, Satire · 8,157 words
First lines
The God of Coincidence is fortunate in possessing innumerable press agents. They have made the length of his arm a proverb. How at exactly the right moment he extends it across continents and drags two and two together, thus causing four to result where but for him sixes and sevens would have obtained, they have made known to the readers of all of our best magazines. For instance, Holworthy is leaving for the Congo to find a cure for the sleeping sickness, and for himself any sickness from which one is warranted never to wake up. This is his condition because the beautiful million-heiress who is wintering at the Alexander Young Hotel in Honolulu has refused to answer his letters, cables, and appeals.
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The God of Coincidence is listed on Textopian as a novel by Richard Harding Davis, dated 1904 CE.
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- Work type: Novel
- Author: Richard Harding Davis
- Date: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romantic Comedy, Adventure, Satire, Fiction, Historical Fiction
- Length: 8,157 words
- Structure: 1 section, 178 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The God of Coincidence by Richard Harding Davis
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Romantic Comedy — The plot centers around romantic entanglements and humorous situations arising from coincidences, particularly involving the main character's love for Polly Seward.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey to the Congo and faces various challenges, reflecting themes of exploration and personal growth.
- Satire — The narrative critiques societal norms and the absurdity of coincidences in life, particularly in the context of love and wealth.
- Fiction — The story is a work of fiction that explores human relationships and the impact of chance events on life outcomes.
Tags
Mystery · Thriller · Detective Fiction · Crime · Suspense · Plot Twist · Unreliable Narrator · Psychological Thriller · Guilt · Innocence · Deception · Revenge