Black Light by Talbot Mundy (1930)
The novel follows the adventures of a young Englishman, John Gordon, who is sent to India to investigate a mysterious cult known as the Black Light. He soon discovers that the cult is a powerful force, and that its members are determined to use their power to take control of the country. John is aided in his quest by a mysterious woman, the beautiful and enigmatic Lady Nuala, who is also a member of the cult. Together, they must battle against the cult's sinister plans and uncover the truth behind the Black Light. The novel is set in the 1920s, and is a thrilling adventure story that combines elements of mystery, romance, and the supernatural. It is a classic of the adventure genre, and is still widely read today.
By Talbot Mundy · First published 1930 · Genre: Adventure Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery · 29 chapters · 95,865 words
First lines
There was no moon yet. The ponderous temple wall loomed behind Hawkes, a huge tree breathing near him, full of the restlessness of parakeets that made the silence audible and darkness visible; its branches, high above the wall, were a formless shadow, too dense for the starlight. Hawkes' white uniform absorbed the hue of smoke, a trifle reddened by the glow of embers.
"Come and try!" he remarked to himself, and retired again into the shadow, muttering: "I'd like to have some one try to buy me--just once."
What this Textopian page supports
Black Light is listed on Textopian as a novel by Talbot Mundy, dated 1930 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Talbot Mundy
- Date: 1930 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Fantasy
- Length: 95,865 words
- Structure: 29 chapters, 3,521 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Black Light by Talbot Mundy
- 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 Black Light?
- How does this novel by Talbot Mundy fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Adventure Fiction — The book follows the adventures of a group of characters as they explore the unknown and face danger.
- Historical Fiction — The book is set in the early 20th century and includes historical events and figures.
- Mystery — The book follows the characters as they attempt to uncover the truth behind a mysterious artifact.
- Romance — The book includes a romantic subplot between two of the main characters.
Tags
Adventure-Fiction · annie · answered · ayah · beddington · bruce · cummings · door · eyes · hand · hawkes · head
Contents
- Chapter 1: "Shall I Sin, to Satisfy Your Itch for What You Have No Right To?"
- Chapter 2: "You Are an Egg That is About to Hatch."
- Chapter 3: "Cut Me Off and Set Me Free. I'll Be so Grateful . . ."
- Chapter 4: "You Wish to Question Me?"
- Chapter 5: "Amrita is a Sort of Joan of Arc."
- Chapter 6: "What's the Odds? She's Harmless."
- Chapter 7: "So You Sing to Them, Eh?"
- Chapter 8: "Do I Get My Money?"
- Chapter 9: "Read Thou Thine Own Book."
- Chapter 10: "India Would Be All Right If It Weren't for Rajahs."
- Chapter 11: "Are You Drunk, Joe?"
- Chapter 12: "Taters a La Kaiser Bill."
- Chapter 13: "I Am Not in the World to Learn Cowardice, but Courage."
- Chapter 14: "Better Watch My Step!"
- Chapter 15: "Walls Have Ears in India."
- Chapter 16: "Funny--i Don't Feel Scared a Dam' Bit."
- Chapter 17: "A Fool is a Person Who Lives in His Senses and Likes It."
- Chapter 18: "Ram-chittra Gunga, Come at Once; I Need You."
- Chapter 19: "Cradled in the Destinies of Thousands Lies the Future of Your Soul and Mine."
- Chapter 20: "Imagination is the Window Through Which the Soul Looks at Reality."
- Chapter 21: "There's Dirty Work--dam' Black Dirty Work!"
- Chapter 22: "You Will Keep Still."
- Chapter 23: "There's Rather More in This Than Meets the Eye."
- Chapter 24: "Let Judgment Answer!"
- Chapter 25: "It is the Wrong Time of the Year for Storms."
- Chapter 26: "I Have Demanded Judgment. If It Fall on My Head, Let It."
- Chapter 27: "Shall Not Justice Justify Itself Without Your Mouthings?"
- Chapter 28: "No Place for a Woman of Refinement."
- Chapter 29: "I Have Delivered Judgment."