The Prophet of Berkeley Square

The Prophet of Berkeley Square

The narrative follows Hennessey Vivian, a man of modest means and gentle disposition, who lives with his grandmother, Mrs. Merillia, in a respectable London neighborhood. Hennessey becomes fascinated with astronomy after meeting Sir Tiglath Butt, a renowned astronomer, and acquires a telescope. His newfound interest leads him to believe he possesses prophetic abilities, particularly after he accurately predicts a snowfall and an accident involving his grandmother. As Hennessey delves deeper into his supposed powers, he becomes increasingly absorbed in the celestial world, neglecting social obligations and his relationship with his grandmother. Mrs. Merillia, concerned about his obsession, encourages him to abandon his prophetic pursuits, but Hennessey feels compelled to continue, especially after he casts a horoscope for her, predicting an accident on her birthday. The plot thickens when Hennessey encounters Malkiel, a self-proclaimed prophet, and his wife, Madame Sagittarius, who demand that he fulfill his prophetic duties. They insist on testing his abilities, particularly regarding his grandmother's fate, which adds pressure to Hennessey's already fraught situation. He grapples with conflicting promises: one to his grandmother to protect her from harm and another to Malkiel and Madame Sagittarius to provide prophecies. As the story unfolds, Hennessey navigates the complexities of his relationships, the expectations placed upon him, and the consequences of his actions. He struggles with the weight of his oaths and the fear of disappointing those he cares about, particularly his grandmother. The narrative explores themes of duty, identity, and the tension between personal desires and societal expectations. Ultimately, Hennessey must confront the reality of his situation, balancing his newfound identity as a prophet with the love and responsibility he feels towards his grandmother. The story culminates in a series of comedic and dramatic events that test Hennessey's resolve and lead to a deeper understanding of himself and his place in the world.

By Robert Hichens · First published 1924 · Genre: Fiction, Philosophical, Literary · 20 chapters · 115,767 words

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The great telescope of the Prophet was carefully adjusted upon its lofty, brass-bound stand in the bow window of Number One Thousand Berkeley Square. It pointed towards the remarkably bright stars which twinkled in the December sky over frosty London, those guardian stars which always seemed to the Prophet to watch with peculiar solicitude over the most respectable neighbourhood in which he resided. The polestar had its eye even now upon the mansion of an adjacent ex-premier, the belt of Orion was not oblivious of a belted earl's cosy red-brick home just opposite, and the house of a certain famous actor and actress close by had been taken by the Great Bear under its special protection.

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The Prophet of Berkeley Square is listed on Textopian as a novel by Robert Hichens, dated 1924 CE.

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fiction · literature · novel · mystery · romance · historical · philosophy · spirituality · Berkeley Square · London · early 20th century · character study

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