Blundell´s Improvement
Blundell's Improvement is a novel by W. W. Jacobs, first published in 1908. It tells the story of a young man, Blundell, who is determined to make something of himself and improve his lot in life. He takes a job as a clerk in a shipping office, and soon finds himself in the middle of a complicated web of intrigue and deception. Blundell must use all his wits and cunning to survive in the cutthroat world of business, and eventually he succeeds in making a name for himself. Along the way, he learns valuable lessons about loyalty, friendship, and the importance of hard work. Blundell's Improvement is a classic tale of ambition and success, and a timeless reminder of the power of determination.
By W. W. Jacobs · First published 1843 · Genre: Humor, Fiction, Romance · 4,037 words
First lines
Venia Turnbull in a quiet, unobtrusive fashion was enjoying herself. The cool living-room at Turnbull's farm was a delightful contrast to the hot sunshine without, and the drowsy humming of bees floating in at the open window was charged with hints of slumber to the middle-aged. From her seat by the window she watched with amused interest the efforts of her father -- kept from his Sunday afternoon nap by the assiduous attentions of her two admirers -- to maintain his politeness.
"Father was so pleased to see you both come in," she said, softly; "it's very dull for him here of an afternoon with only me.
What this Textopian page supports
Blundell´s Improvement is listed on Textopian as a novel by W. W. Jacobs, dated 1843 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: W. W. Jacobs
- Date: 1843 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Fiction, Romance, Mystery
- Length: 4,037 words
- Structure: 1 section, 159 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Blundell´s Improvement by W. W. Jacobs
- 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 Blundell´s Improvement?
- How does this novel by W. W. Jacobs fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Castaway by W. W. Jacobs
- Dixons Return by W. W. Jacobs
- Family Cares by W. W. Jacobs
- Made To Measure by W. W. Jacobs
- A Spirit Of Avarice by W. W. Jacobs
- Breaking A Spell by W. W. Jacobs
Genres
- Humor — The book is written in a humorous style, with a light-hearted tone and witty dialogue.
- Fiction — The book is a work of fiction, with a narrative plot and characters.
- Romance — The book contains a romantic subplot between two of the characters.
- Mystery — The book contains a mystery element, as the protagonist attempts to uncover the truth about Blundell's Improvement.
Tags
England · English · Fiction · Humorous stories · Sailors · Social life and customs · afternoon · blundell · careful · daly · days · demanded