The Prodigal Son

"The Prodigal Son" by Hall Caine is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around the lives of two young men, Magnus and Oscar, who are brothers with contrasting personalities and aspirations. The backdrop of Iceland adds a unique flavor to the narrative, exploring themes of love, duty, and societal expectations, particularly as they pertain to marriage and family obligations. The opening of the novel introduces us to Thora Neilsen, the daughter of a prominent merchant in Iceland, who eagerly prepares for an annual sheep-gathering festival. As she interacts with her doting Aunt Margret, we gain insights into her relationships, particularly with Magnus, whom she is expected to marry, and Oscar, Magnus' charming younger brother who has just returned from studying abroad. Their conversations hint at a deeper love between Thora and Oscar, uncovering tensions related to her engagement to Magnus. The dynamic between the siblings and Thora sets the stage for an unfolding drama of romantic entanglements and personal choices as societal and familial pressures loom large. (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.