The Root of All Evil (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. An Edwardian Tale of Ambition, Greed, Marriage, and Moral Consequence in Provincial YorkshireBy J. S. Fletcher
Length9h 14m
About this audiobook
In The Root of All Evil, J. S. Fletcher turns the familiar moral proverb into a taut narrative of desire, deception, and social consequence. The novel examines how money—whether inherited, coveted, concealed, or pursued—distorts judgment and corrodes personal loyalties. Written in Fletcher's lucid, workmanlike prose, it belongs to the transitional world between Victorian sensation fiction and the modern crime novel, combining moral inquiry with suspenseful plotting, sharp observation of provincial life, and a journalist's eye for practical detail. Fletcher was exceptionally well equipped to write such a book. Born in Yorkshire in 1863, he worked as a journalist, editor, historian, and biographer before becoming one of the most prolific popular novelists of his generation. His long familiarity with newspapers, legal proceedings, local politics, and the textures of English town life gave his fiction its documentary firmness. The Root of All Evil reflects his enduring interest in motive: not merely who acts, but why ordinary people become morally compromised. This book is recommended to readers who enjoy classic British fiction in which mystery, character, and ethical tension are inseparable. Admirers of early twentieth-century crime writing, social realism, and narratives of greed's consequences will find Fletcher's novel both accessible and quietly incisive.
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
GenreRomance
Length9 hrs 14 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateApr 9, 2020
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
26CHAPTER XI
2Introduction
27Humble Pie
3Synopsis
28CHAPTER XII
4Historical Context
29The Triple Chance
5Part the First: RISE
30CHAPTER XIII
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6CHAPTER I
31Dead Men's Shoes
7Applecroft
32Part the Second: FALL
8CHAPTER II
33CHAPTER I
9The Tight Lip
34Avarice
10CHAPTER III
35CHAPTER II
11The Broken Man
36The Bit of Bad Land
12CHAPTER IV
37CHAPTER III
13The Diplomatic Father
38Coal
14CHAPTER V
39CHAPTER IV
15The Shakespeare Line
40Birds of a Feather
16CHAPTER VI
41CHAPTER V
17The Gloves Off
42The Yorkshire Way
18CHAPTER VII
43CHAPTER VI
19The Golden Teapot
44Obsession
20CHAPTER VIII
45CHAPTER VII
21The Battle Begins
46The Last Throw
22CHAPTER IX
47CHAPTER VIII
23The Iron Rod
48The Commination Service
24CHAPTER X
49CHAPTER IX
25The Eternal Feminine
50The Bell Rings
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