The Altar Steps

Sir Edward Montague Compton MackenzieProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.5

Word count: 720K words
Chapters: 72

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. The Altar Steps by Compton MacKenzie. Author: MacKenzie, Compton, 1883-1972. Language: English, Class: PR: Language and Literatures: English literature, Release Date: Jan 20, 2005

Editor's review

The Altar Steps is an English novel by Compton Mackenzie, available as a public-domain eBook from Project Gutenberg. Mackenzie was a twentieth-century British writer whose works often concern religion, identity, and personal choice; the title's "altar steps" also suggests the tension between religious life and an individual path. As a public-domain text, its value lies in giving readers low-threshold access to the narrative style and verbal texture of early twentieth-century British fiction. While reading, note the characters' psychological shifts within a religious environment and how the author advances his theme through everyday scenes. The book suits readers accustomed to English-language originals who are interested in religious themes or the British literary tradition; those expecting strong plot or a contemporary pace may find the narration slow. Reading chapter by chapter is recommended, looking up religious terms as they arise.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers used to English-language originals who want to explore twentieth-century British fiction
Literature lovers interested in religious themes and questions of faith
English literature students using a public-domain text for reading practice
Readers who enjoy slow-paced character portrayal rather than strong plot

Not a good fit for

Beginners not yet fluent in English who need a Chinese translation
Readers who prefer fast-paced suspense or strongly plotted fiction
Researchers seeking a detailed author biography and annotations

Reading tips

Read chapter by chapter, and after each chapter summarize the change in the characters' situation in one or two sentences.
Mark religious or church-related vocabulary first, then look it up together after finishing a section.
Follow the protagonist's choices within a religious environment and trace the key points of psychological change.
Read alongside other public-domain works by Mackenzie to sense the consistency of his narrative style.

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 level of English does this book require?

The text is an early twentieth-century English novel, with sentence patterns and vocabulary characteristic of its time; fairly fluent reading of English originals is recommended. Readers who normally read full-length English novels should manage with a dictionary, while beginners may struggle.

What do the "Altar Steps" in the title refer to?

Given the title and Mackenzie's frequent religious concerns, they point to the imagery of the altar, church life, and an individual's path of faith. Their specific meaning in the plot must be understood through the characters' experiences in reading; one should not over-interpret beyond the text.

Is this the complete novel or an excerpt?

This is the public-domain eBook released by Project Gutenberg, the full text of the work rather than an excerpt or adaptation. It can be read as a complete novel, though note that public-domain eBooks usually come without a modern introduction or annotations.

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About the author

Sir Edward Montague Compton Mackenzie Author · Scottish · 1883–1972

Compton Mackenzie (1883–1972), formally Sir Edward Montague Compton Mackenzie, was a Scottish novelist and playwright. Born in West Hartlepool, England, he graduated from Magdalen College, Oxford. He wrote more than a hundred books, including the two-volume Sinister Street, The Early Life and Adventures of Sylvia Scarlett, The Altar Steps, Rich Relatives, Poor Relations, Guy and Pauline and Plashers Mead: A Novel. His fiction often deals with young people coming of age in the city, family ties and local life, in a style both realistic and satirical. In 1923 he founded The Gramophone, and he was a co-founder of the Scottish National Party. He was awarded the OBE in 1919, was knighted in 1952, and died in Edinburgh in 1972.