Our Derby Sweepstakes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The narrative follows a young woman named Nelly Montague, who is eagerly anticipating the return of her childhood friend, Jack Hawthorne, from India. Nelly's family, including her brother Bob and cousin Solomon Barker, react differently to Jack's impending arrival, with Nelly expressing excitement and nostalgia for their past adventures. As Jack arrives, he is no longer the boy she remembers but a war-hardened lieutenant, which complicates her feelings. Nelly finds herself at the center of a romantic rivalry between Jack and Solomon, who both express their affections for her. Solomon, a medical student, is shy and reserved, while Jack is more assertive and confident. The tension escalates as both men vie for Nelly's attention, leading to a wager involving a Derby sweepstakes. The stakes are high: the winner gets to pursue Nelly, while the loser must withdraw. As the Derby approaches, both men become increasingly obsessed with their horses, leading to humorous and dramatic situations. Jack's horse, Bicycle, is tragically injured in a railway accident, while Solomon's horse, Eurydice, is scratched from the race. This turn of events shifts the dynamics, allowing Jack to pursue Nelly more openly. Nelly, initially hesitant about her feelings, finds herself drawn to Jack despite her earlier refusals. The narrative culminates in a picnic where tensions flare, and Nelly must confront her feelings for both men. Ultimately, she realizes her affection for Jack, leading to a romantic resolution. The story explores themes of love, rivalry, and the complexities of growing up, set against the backdrop of a rural English household. The characters navigate their emotions with humor and sincerity, culminating in a satisfying conclusion that reflects the unpredictability of love and relationships.
By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle · First published 1890 · Genre: Fiction, Romance, Comedy · 10,803 words
First lines
"Bob! " I shouted.
No answer.
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Genres
- Fiction — The narrative is a fictional story centered around characters and their relationships.
- Romance — The plot involves romantic interests and relationships between the main characters.
- Comedy — The writing style includes humorous situations and witty dialogue, contributing to a light-hearted tone.
- Adventure — Elements of adventure are present, particularly in the context of the characters' interactions and pursuits.
Tags
horse racing · sweepstakes · gambling · mystery · adventure · competition · sports · England · narrative · fiction · drama · characters
What this Textopian page supports
Our Derby Sweepstakes is listed on Textopian as a novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Romance, Comedy, Adventure, Coming-of-Age
- Length: 10,803 words
- Structure: 1 section, 215 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Our Derby Sweepstakes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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More by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- The Parish Magazine (1914)
- The Great Brown-Pericord Motor (1914)
- The Holocaust of Manor Place (1901)
- The Debatable Case of Mrs. Emsley (1901)
- The Love Affair of George Vincent Parker (1901)
- The Disintegration Machine (1927)
- The Bully of Brocas Court (1914)
- The Brown Hand (1914)
- All works by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle