The Price of Things

"The Price of Things" by Elinor Glyn is a novel set in the tumultuous backdrop of World War I, likely written in the early 20th century. It explores the complex lives and relationships of its characters, particularly focusing on Amaryllis Ardayre, a young bride navigating the intricacies of her new marriage and her encounters with various figures who embody the moral and emotional dilemmas of the time, including the seductive Harietta Boleski and the enigmatic Russian, Verisschenzko. At the start of the novel, the foreword sets a tone of raw reality amid the chaotic atmosphere of war, emphasizing the psychological awakening of Amaryllis and the stark contrasts in character she encounters. The opening chapter introduces Amaryllis on her honeymoon in Paris, where her contrasting feelings about her husband, Sir John, and the Russian's philosophical discussions about life and happiness reveal her internal conflict and yearning for deeper emotional connections. As the narrative unfolds, the interplay between the characters hints at themes of passion, loyalty, and the consequences of decisions made in love and desire. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Elinor Glyn was a British novelist and scriptwriter who specialised in romantic fiction, which was considered scandalous for its time, although her works are relatively tame by modern standards. She popularized the concept of the it-girl, and had tremendous influence on early 20th-century popular culture and, possibly, on the careers of notable Hollywood stars such as Rudolph Valentino, Gloria Swanson and, especially, Clara Bow.