A Prince of Swindlers (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. A Victorian Crime Caper of Disguise, Confidence Schemes, Upper-Class Satire, and Gentleman-Criminal AdventureBy Guy Boothby
Length7h 24m
About this audiobook
A Prince of Swindlers is a late-Victorian rogue narrative built around the dazzling exploits of a master confidence man moving through drawing rooms, hotels, gaming tables, and imperial routes of travel. Boothby writes in a brisk, urbane, episodic style, combining sensation fiction, crime adventure, and the gentleman-criminal tradition that flourished alongside anxieties about class performance and modern anonymity. The book's pleasures lie in its elegant deceptions: disguise, social mimicry, and audacity become both plot engines and sharp commentaries on a world eager to be impressed. Guy Boothby (1867–1905), born in Adelaide, was one of the most prolific popular novelists of the fin de siècle. His varied life—colonial experience, theatrical work, journalism, extensive travel, and eventual literary success in England—gave him an unusually cosmopolitan imagination. Like his Dr Nikola stories, this work reflects Boothby's fascination with mobility, hidden identities, and the porous boundaries between respectability and criminal brilliance. Readers interested in Victorian crime fiction, imperial adventure, or the genealogy of the charming antihero will find A Prince of Swindlers richly rewarding. It is entertaining, historically revealing, and strikingly modern in its understanding of social performance.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★ 3.4 (118)
Includes Goodreads
GenreMystery and Thriller, Action and Adventure
Length7 hrs 24 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 29, 2023
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1A Prince of Swindlers (Annotated)
9CHAPTER V.
2Introduction
10CHAPTER VI.
3Synopsis
11CHAPTER VII.
4Historical Context
12CHAPTER VIII.
5CHAPTER I.
13Analysis
Show all chaptersShow less
6CHAPTER II.
14Reflection
7CHAPTER III.
15Memorable Quotes
8CHAPTER IV.
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