The Destroying Angel

"The Destroying Angel" by Louis Joseph Vance is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the central character, Hugh Whitaker, a young man who, upon learning he has only a few months to live, confronts the profound unfairness of fate and contemplates the impending end of his life. Struck by despair, his journey spirals through themes of love, loss, and unexpected connections as he attempts to navigate his remaining time. The opening of the novel introduces Hugh Whitaker in a doctor's office, where he receives the crushing news about his terminal illness. Alongside two consulting specialists, Greyerson and Hartt, Hugh struggles to comprehend the finality of his situation—despite feeling fit and healthy. As he grapples with his emotions, he learns about the consequences of his impending mortality, not only for himself but also for Alice Carstairs, the woman he loves. This initial chapter sets up a narrative that promises to explore complex human emotions, the weight of social expectations, and the intertwining of lives in desperate circumstances, hinting at an unexpected turn as Whitaker's fate begins to alter after a chance meeting. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Louis Joseph Vance was an American novelist, screenwriter and film producer. He created the popular character Michael Lanyard, a criminal-turned-detective known as the Lone Wolf.