Diana of the Crossways — Volume 2

"Diana of the Crossways — Volume 2" by George Meredith is a novel written in the late 19th century. The book revolves around the character of Diana, who grapples with the conflicts arising from her troubled marriage to Mr. Warwick and the public scrutiny that follows. The narrative delves into themes of societal expectations, personal autonomy, and feminine strength, as Diana navigates the complexities of her situation. At the start of this volume, the narrative presents Diana welcoming Redworth after his return from America, discussing personal matters and the looming pressures from society regarding her marriage. The scene depicts their evident camaraderie, alongside the tension stemming from Diana’s precarious position. As they converse, Diana reveals her struggles with the accusations against her, while Redworth expresses both concern and admiration for her strength and resolve. This opening sets the stage for a deeper exploration of Diana's character, her relationships, and the societal dilemmas she faces, promising an evocative journey filled with emotional depth and social commentary. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

George Meredith was an English novelist and poet of the Victorian era. At first, his focus was poetry, influenced by John Keats among others, but Meredith gradually established a reputation as a novelist. The Ordeal of Richard Feverel (1859) briefly scandalised Victorian literary circles. Of his later novels, the most enduring is The Egoist (1879), though in his lifetime his greatest success was Diana of the Crossways (1885). His novels were innovative in their attention to characters' psychology, and also portrayed social change. His style, in both poetry and prose, was noted for its syntactic complexity; Oscar Wilde likened it to "chaos illumined by brilliant flashes of lightning". Meredith was an encourager of other novelists, as well as an influence on them; among those to benefit were Robert Louis Stevenson and George Gissing. Meredith was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature seven times.