Septimus

Locke, William John, 1863-1930Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.5

Word count: 485K words
Chapters: 49

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.Septimus by William John LockeAuthor: Locke, William John, 1863-1930,Language: English, Class: PR: Language and Literatures: English literature, Release Date: Dec 20, 2004

Editor's review

Septimus is a novel by the British writer William John Locke, released free in its original English by Project Gutenberg. Locke was a British novelist of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries whose works often carry gentle humor and fine observation of his characters' fates. This book is a public-domain work of English literature, suitable as reading material for understanding the character of British popular fiction of the period. The Gutenberg edition is free and easy to obtain, letting readers approach the English original at low cost. As you read, note the protagonist's psychology and behavior as his circumstances change, and see how the author handles turns of fate in a light tone. Since the source provides no detailed plot, readers are advised to enter the text with an open mind, attend to characterization and narrative rhythm, and feel the language style and emotional expression of British fiction of that era.

Who it's for

A good fit for

English-language readers who enjoy British public-domain novels
Readers interested in early twentieth-century British popular literature
Hobbyists who want free English originals for extensive reading
Students willing to experience character stories with a humorous tone

Not a good fit for

Readers who only read Chinese translations and are unused to English originals
Readers seeking fast-paced, high-conflict plots
English beginners who need detailed annotations and background introductions

Reading tips

Read the first two chapters to get used to the language style, then plan a daily reading amount.
Watch the protagonist's changing circumstances and jot down key turning points.
Read alongside other British novels of the same period to appreciate differences in style.
Guess unfamiliar words before looking them up to keep reading fluent.

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 are the language and subject of this book?

The source indicates that this is the original English edition, a public-domain novel of English literature released by Project Gutenberg. The subject is fiction; the specific plot requires reading the original, and the language bears the characteristics of early twentieth-century British fiction.

Can I read it if there is no Chinese translation?

The source shows only the English electronic edition released by Project Gutenberg and does not mention a Chinese translation. If English reading is difficult, you may first look up a Chinese summary to aid understanding and then try the original, or choose another work that has a translation.

Is it suitable as English learning material?

It can serve as extensive reading material, but because it lacks annotations and an introduction, it is better suited to learners who already have intermediate English reading ability. Beginners are advised to pair it with a dictionary or supporting materials to avoid breaking off reading due to too many unfamiliar words.

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About the author

Locke, William John, 1863-1930 Author

William John Locke (1863–1930) was a British novelist, with 23 of his works held in this collection. His representative works include The Belovéd Vagabond, The Mountebank, The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol, Septimus, The Rough Road, The White Dove, The Morals of Marcus Ordeyne: a Novel, and Jaffery. Public information about his life is limited, so this entry offers only a brief account based on the works in the collection and the clues they provide. Judging from these titles and the character of the works, Locke's novels are largely character-centered, with brisk plots that often carry a romantic and humorous tone, blending vagabondage, adventure, and social observation, and creating many vividly drawn figures whose fortunes rise and fall. His works found a readership in the early twentieth century, and some were adapted for the stage and screen, leaving a mark on popular literature and general reading.