The Captives

Rising City series #3

by Hugh Walpole

Martin walked into the street with a confused sense of triumph and defeat, that confusion that comes to all sensitive men at the moment when they are stepping, against their will, from one set of conditions into another. He had gone into that house, only half an hour ago, determined to leave Maggie for ever--for his good and hers. He came back into the street realising that he was now, perhaps for the first time, quite definitely involved in some relation with her.

Genres: British Literature

356 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1920

About the author

Sir Hugh Seymour Walpole was an English novelist. A prolific writer, he published thirty-six novels, five volumes of short stories, two plays and three volumes of memoirs. His skill at scene-setting, his vivid plots, his high profile as a lecturer and his driving ambition brought him a large readership in the United Kingdom and North America. A best-selling author in the 1920s and 1930s, his works have been neglected since his death.

Reviews

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, though I know Hugh Walpole isn't everyone's cup of tea!! A very old fashioned style of writing but I love that!
Maggie Cardinal's father dies very suddenly leaving her alone, not terribly upset as he never showed her much love. She is 'odd ' a little strange' 'misunderstood' a captive in a world where others fit in but she doesn't.
I found it compelling, rooting for things to work out for her, to stop her feeling so 'different'. She goes to London to live with her aunts, but is very unhappy, always a little strange and alone, you will have to read it to see if things get better for her, and join her on her journey to happiness!

[Laura]

The third book in the Rising City series.

Free download available at Project Gutenberg.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason not to give this five stars is that there isn't a single character with whom I would want to spend even five minutes. He has such a genius for people, real people, with all their flaws, just that in this particular novel there are perhaps too many flaws. The monstrous Grace, awful Amy, the collection of creepy ministers of religion....it goes on. I so wanted Maggie to find happiness, but nonetheless didn't like her much.
Don't be put off by this being the third in a series - there is only a very peripheral involvement of a character from the previous novels, and the fact of some of them being Trenchards doesn't matter.

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strikingly vivid characters; such a well-crafted depiction of moods, places, and feelings. Very compelling -- I read the whole second half in one sitting.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this in a pile of old books, and for the first time ever, read it without having any idea about what the storyline would be. Although I did not find myself gripped by the first few chapters, I soon found myself enthralled. Despite the main character, Maggie, being rather cold and irritating, by the end, I was wishing for her happy ending.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good old Walpole, very gripping although I found the end a bit inconclusive.