The Slanderers

Deeping, Warwick, 1877-1950Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.8

Word count: 512K words
Chapters: 52

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 Slanderers by Warwick DeepingAuthor: Deeping, Warwick, 1877-1950,Language: English, Class: PR: Language and Literatures: English literature, Release Date: Nov 16, 2018

Editor's review

The Slanderers is a novel by the English writer Warwick Deeping (1877–1950). A work of English literature, it is now available as a free ebook from Project Gutenberg. Deeping was known in the first half of the twentieth century for his prolific output of fiction, and his works often focus on characters under moral pressure and public opinion. The title points directly to "slanderers," and the subject continues his examination of human weakness and the destructive power of gossip. For Chinese readers, the book's value lies mainly in two aspects: first, as a sample of the narrative style of early twentieth-century popular English fiction; second, as a way to observe, through the characters' interpersonal conflicts, how public opinion shapes individual destinies—a theme that still resonates today. As a public-domain electronic resource, it is inexpensive to obtain and suitable as extensive reading material in the original English. Note that this is the original English text, and the Project Gutenberg edition provides text only, with no Chinese translation, notes, or introduction. Readers need some foundation in English reading; it is advisable to infer word meanings from context rather than look up every word, focusing on plot and character relationships.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers with intermediate or higher English reading ability who want to read public-domain English novels extensively
Literature lovers interested in early twentieth-century British popular fiction and narrative style
Readers concerned with themes of gossip, public opinion, and moral pressure who hope to find reflections in fiction
Readers who are used to reading on electronic devices and prefer free public-domain resources

Not a good fit for

Beginners with weak English who need a Chinese translation or sentence-by-sentence notes
Readers expecting modern fast-paced plots or strong suspenseful twists
Professional researchers needing academic-level biographical study of the author and chronological research on his works

Reading tips

Read through the first few chapters to clarify character relationships, then proceed chapter by chapter, avoiding frequent word lookups that interrupt the rhythm.
Prepare a simple character list to record changes in the main characters' positions, making it easier to follow the development of the slander events.
After each plot turn, reflect on how gossip is spread and amplified, and compare it with today's opinion environment.
If English reading is difficult, read a plot summary first and then the original text to lower the threshold of comprehension.

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

Is this book in Chinese or English? What English level is required?

This is the original English text; the Project Gutenberg edition includes no Chinese translation or notes. It is advisable to have the ability to read ordinary English fiction. When encountering unfamiliar words, infer from context rather than checking every word. If reading is difficult, learn the general plot first before reading the original.

What are the features of the Project Gutenberg edition?

Project Gutenberg is the earliest project to provide free ebooks, founded by Michael Hart in 1971. This edition is a public-domain electronic text, free to obtain and convenient to use on a computer or e-reader, but it provides only the work's text, with no Chinese introduction, translation notes, or carefully proofread formatting.

What significance does the novel's theme have for today's readers?

The title points to "slanderers," and the story revolves around the impact of gossip and public opinion on characters. Such themes still have reflective value in today's information environment. Through the novel, readers can observe how gossip arises, spreads, and changes interpersonal relationships, gaining an additional layer of reflection on real-world public opinion.

Do I need to know the author's biography before reading this book?

No. The book can be read independently, and the plot and characters can be understood without knowing the author's life. To deepen understanding, you may look up Deeping's basic creative background after reading, but biographical research should not replace reading the text itself.

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About the author

Deeping, Warwick, 1877-1950 Author

Warwick Deeping (1877–1950) was a British novelist whose career spanned the first half of the twentieth century; nine of his works are held on this site. Public information about him is limited, and his early life and education cannot be reliably established, but his surviving works show a gift for narrative set against historical and legendary backgrounds, as well as an interest in women's lives and domestic and moral themes. Such representative novels as Bertrand of Brittany, The King Behind the King and Uther and Igraine draw on medieval British legend and struggles for royal power, with compact plots and a strong romantic colouring; A Woman's War, The Pride of Eve and The Slanderers turn to social reality, focusing on women's predicaments under the pressures of marriage, reputation and public opinion. His novels are fluently narrated and vividly characterised, and he found a readership in the fields of popular historical and sentimental fiction.