A Lost Cause

Thorne, Guy, 1875-1923Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.7

Word count: 349K words
Chapters: 35

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.A Lost Cause by Guy ThorneAuthor: Thorne, Guy, 1875-1923,Language: English, Class: PR: Language and Literatures: English literature, Release Date: Aug 19, 2012

Editor's review

A Lost Cause is a novel by the English writer Guy Thorne, a work of English literature reissued as a public-domain ebook. Thorne's writing often combines social observation with narrative tension, and the title itself suggests a theme of failure or futility; the book will appeal to readers interested in British fiction of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. As a public-domain text, it comes without a modern introduction or notes, so readers must enter its historical context on their own. Its value lies not in offering a contemporary "must-read classic" but in showing how popular fiction of the period organized plot, shaped character, and responded to the mood of society. For those studying the history of popular fiction or seeking to broaden their reading of English-language originals, it is a usable sample text. Readers are advised to attend to narrative pace and character motivation rather than judge its structure by the standards of contemporary fiction. If used in a course or reading group, it can be paired with material on the author's life and the background of the era to help situate it.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in modern and contemporary British fiction who wish to broaden their reading of English-language originals
Students studying popular literature and public-domain texts, who may use it as a sample for textual analysis
Readers who enjoy plot-driven narrative and can accept older English expression
Reading-group members, who can discuss its themes and historical background

Not a good fit for

Beginning readers expecting modern notes and an introduction; this is a plain public-domain text
Readers who prefer fast-paced contemporary narrative or strong suspense structures may find the pace slow
Readers who need a Chinese translation alongside; this is the English original

Reading tips

Read a few sample pages first to confirm you can handle the book's English expression and narrative pace
Note character relationships and key turns as you read so that period language does not make you lose the thread
Read alongside material on the social background of the author's era to understand what "lost cause" refers to
For a reading group, divide the work of charting plot and theme, then discuss together

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

What kind of novel is this?

It is a novel in the English literature category, characterized by social observation and plot-driven narrative. For the specific plot, rely on the original text; it is best to sample the opening chapters first to judge whether the narrative style suits your reading taste.

Does the public-domain ebook include notes?

Generally there is no modern introduction or notes; the text is essentially the original. When you encounter historical figures, place names, or period expressions, you will need to look them up yourself. It helps to have background material at hand or use search tools while reading.

How difficult is the English?

It is an earlier English novel whose sentence patterns and vocabulary are distant from modern English, making it moderately to considerably difficult. It suits readers with some experience of English-language originals; if you are new to reading originals, sample it first before deciding whether to continue.

Is it suitable for literary research?

It can serve as a research sample of popular fiction or public-domain texts, but it is not recommended as the sole material. Research should combine the author's life, the publishing era, and comparison with similar works to judge its literary position and textual features accurately.

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About the author

Thorne, Guy, 1875-1923 Author

Guy Thorne (1875–1923) was an English novelist active in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Public information about his life is limited, and many biographical details remain unclear. Seventeen of his works are held in the collection, spanning suspense, mystery, thriller, and inspirational coming-of-age fiction. His representative novel When It Was Dark: The Story of a Great Conspiracy builds its mystery around religious and social crisis, while The City in the Clouds, House of Torment, The Soul Stealer, The Angel, A Butterfly on the Wheel, Chance in Chains: A Story of Monte Carlo, and The Air Pirate often involve mysterious events, criminal conspiracies, and adventure. His writing emphasizes suspense and atmosphere, with tightly plotted narratives in which characters face moral and fatal tests; some works also carry an inspirational, growth-oriented tone, offering a glimpse of the popular fiction tastes of his time.