Mammon and Co.

Benson, E. F. (Edward Frederic), 1867-1940Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.5

Word count: 559K words
Chapters: 56

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. Mammon and Co., by E. F. Benson. Author: Benson, E. F. (Edward Frederic), 1867–1940. Language: English. Class: PR: Language and Literatures: English literature. Release Date: Sep 18, 2012

Editor's review

Mammon and Co. is an English novel by E. F. Benson, distributed free of charge by Project Gutenberg as a public-domain ebook. Benson was a British writer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries whose works often depict social life and human nature with delicate strokes. This book revolves around money and commerce; the title's “Mammon” refers to the god of wealth, hinting at satire and reflection on the pursuit of material gain. As a novel of plot, it suits readers interested in late Victorian to Edwardian English literature and offers social observation and narrative pleasure of that era. Being a public-domain ebook, it is easily accessible and can be obtained anytime, anywhere. When reading, pay attention to the conflicts of values revealed in dialogue and plot development, and appreciate the author's attitude toward money worship. The book is moderate in length, suitable as English extensive reading for commutes or leisure, and can also serve as an introductory attempt at Benson's work for literature enthusiasts.

Who it's for

A good fit for

English-language readers interested in late 19th-century British social novels
Literature enthusiasts who wish to use public-domain ebooks for English extensive reading
Students studying E. F. Benson's works or Edwardian fiction
Readers who enjoy plot-driven novels about money and morality

Not a good fit for

Readers who need a Chinese translation or bilingual reading
Readers expecting fast-paced suspense or strong plot conflicts
Beginners completely unfamiliar with 19th-century British social background

Reading tips

First learn the cultural meaning of Mammon in the title before entering the text; this helps grasp the satirical tone.
Read alongside other works by Benson to observe changes in his character portrayal and narrative style.
For the English original, read one or two chapters a day; mark unfamiliar words first and look them up later to maintain reading rhythm.
After finishing, sort out the differences in main characters' attitudes toward money as a clue to understanding the theme.

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?

This is the English original, released by Project Gutenberg as a free public-domain ebook, with no Chinese translation.

Can I read this directly without having read other works by Benson?

Yes. This is a standalone novel that does not depend on prior works. However, learning about the author's era first will make the social satire easier to understand.

Is this book suitable for learning English?

It suits readers with some foundation in English reading. The book retains English expression from the late 19th to early 20th century, with vocabulary and sentence patterns that feel dated; intermediate level or above is recommended.

Why does the introduction mainly discuss Project Gutenberg?

Because this entry comes from the Project Gutenberg ebook catalog, and the introduction focuses on platform information rather than the novel's content. Readers can treat this book as a public-domain English novel; the text itself is the basis for reading.

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About the author

Benson, E. F. (Edward Frederic), 1867-1940 Author

E. F. Benson (full name Edward Frederic Benson, 1867–1940) was a British writer, though public information about his life and nationality available in our records is limited. The collection holds 42 of his works, spanning a wide range of subjects: social comedies such as Queen Lucia and Miss Mapp, satirical sketches such as The Freaks of Mayfair, and novels including Scarlet and Hyssop, The Relentless City, The Angel of Pain and An Autumn Sowing. His writing is marked by witty dialogue and gentle satire, and he excelled at portraying comic figures in provincial towns and upper-class social circles. Light in tone and neatly constructed, his work has a distinctive place in early twentieth-century British popular fiction and is still enjoyed by readers today.