Piccadilly A Fragment Of Contemporary Biography

Oliphant, Laurence

ISBN 10: 9371817690 / ISBN 13: 9789371817691

Published by Double 9 Books, 2025

Seller Inventory # I-9789371817691

Synopsis:

Piccadilly: A fragment of contemporary biography is a novel that examines the contradictions and absurdities of modern civilization through the observant eyes of a reflective protagonist. Positioned within the elite world of London society, the story follows a man who has recently taken up residence overlooking Green Park, seeking to comprehend and critique the moral and cultural norms of his time. Though initially inspired to write a sweeping history of the world, he becomes diverted by the colorful lives and questionable ethics of those around him. The narrative opens with an ironic portrayal of his intellectual ambition, soon undercut by his entanglement in personal and romantic distractions. As he debates the value of grand philosophical work versus personal anecdote, he encounters figures who represent society s vanity, including a woman who mockingly urges him to abandon high-minded writing in favor of something more personal. What unfolds is a blend of comedy and criticism that exposes the superficiality of social rituals, the complexity of emotional entanglements, and the narrator s own struggles with sincerity in an environment dominated by appearances and convention.

About the Author: Laurence Oliphant was born on August 3, 1829, in Cape Town, South Africa, to Anthony Oliphant and Maria Campbell. He spent his early years moving frequently due to his father's legal appointments, including time in Ceylon and various parts of Europe. Educated in Britain, he developed early interests in law and politics, but his restless nature led him to explore diverse paths. As a young man, he traveled widely across Asia, the Middle East, and North America, experiences that inspired many of his later writings. He was elected as a Member of Parliament and also served in diplomatic and intelligence roles for the British government. Alongside his public career, he cultivated deep religious and mystical interests, eventually aligning himself with Christian mysticism and supporting early Zionist ideas. His marriage to Alice Le Strange Oliphant ended with her death in 1886, and he later married Rosamond Dale Owen in 1888, shortly before his own death that same year. Oliphant gained literary fame during his lifetime for his satirical novel "Piccadilly," and his work often reflected his critiques of social norms, spiritual searching, and international experiences. He died on December 23, 1888, in Twickenham, United Kingdom.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Piccadilly A Fragment Of Contemporary ...
Publisher: Double 9 Books
Publication Date: 2025
Binding: Soft cover
Condition: New