The Bondman: A New Saga

"The Bondman: A New Saga" by Hall Caine is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. Set against the backdrop of Iceland's struggle for independence in the early 1800s, it explores themes of love, betrayal, and personal redemption. The story revolves around Stephen Orry, a seaman, and the complex relationships he develops with Rachel, the Governor's daughter, and the burdens of his past contrasted with his precarious present. At the start of the tale, we are introduced to Iceland during a period of political turbulence. Stephen Orry participates in a wrestling match during the Althing holiday, which puts him in the spotlight and leads to a budding connection with Rachel, the Governor's daughter. Their relationship is complicated by external pressures and past events, including the fallout from a previous scandal involving another local man, Patricksen. The opening sets up a narrative filled with tension as Stephen's choices lead to a series of dramatic events, including Patricksen's untimely death and the ensuing chaos that impacts both his and Rachel's lives. As the narrative unfolds, the impact of social class, personal desires, and the quest for identity become pivotal elements in the characters’ journeys. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Sir Thomas Henry Hall Caine, usually known as Hall Caine, was a British novelist, dramatist, short story writer, poet and critic of the late 19th and early 20th century. Caine's popularity during his lifetime was unprecedented. He wrote 15 novels on subjects of adultery, divorce, domestic violence, illegitimacy, infanticide, religious bigotry and women's rights, became an international literary celebrity, and sold a total of ten million books. Caine was the most highly paid novelist of his day. The Eternal City is the first novel to have sold over a million copies worldwide. In addition to his books, Caine is the author of more than a dozen plays and was one of the most commercially successful dramatists of his time; many were West End and Broadway productions. Caine adapted seven of his novels for the stage. He collaborated with leading actors and managers, including Wilson Barrett, Viola Allen, Herbert Beerbohm Tree, Louis Napoleon Parker, Mrs Patrick Campbell, George Alexander, and Arthur Collins. Most of Caine's novels were adapted into silent black and white films. A. E. Coleby's 1923 18,454 feet, nineteen-reel film The Prodigal Son became the longest commercially made British film. Alfred Hitchcock's 1929 film The Manxman, is Hitchcock's last silent film.