The Belfry

"The Belfry" by May Sinclair is a novel written during the early 20th century. The story explores complex relationships and the intricacies of personal ambition and emotional connection among its characters, particularly focusing on James Tasker Jevons, an aspiring journalist, and Viola Thesiger, a young woman seeking her independence. The opening of "The Belfry" sets the stage for a tale of intertwining lives, where Jevons’ early encounter with a more established journalist hints at themes of rivalry and ambition. The narrative begins with a reflection on the past, leading us through Jevons' initial forays into reporting, which ultimately reveal his quirky yet passionate personality. Introduced alongside him is Viola, whose presence ignites shifts in Jevons' fortunes and emotions. Their interactions are marked by humor and depth, showcasing the magnetic pull between ambition, social standing, and the personal desires that complicate their lives. The tension between pursuing one’s own path and the influence of family and societal expectations is evident, establishing a rich backdrop for the drama that is sure to unfold. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

May Sinclair was the pseudonym of Mary Amelia St. Clair, a popular British writer who wrote about two dozen novels, short stories and poetry. She was an active suffragist, and member of the Woman Writers' Suffrage League. She once dressed up as a demure, rebel Jane Austen for a suffrage fundraising event. Sinclair was also a significant critic in the area of modernist poetry and prose, and she is attributed with first using the term 'stream of consciousness' in a literary context, when reviewing the first volumes of Dorothy Richardson's novel sequence Pilgrimage (1915–1967), in The Egoist, April 1918.