The Adventures of Harry Richmond — Volume 2

"The Adventures of Harry Richmond — Volume 2" by George Meredith is a novel likely written in the late 19th century. The narrative follows the spirited and imaginative Harry Richmond as he embarks on a series of adventures, blending themes of youth, freedom, and personal discovery. The opening chapters set a lively tone, showcasing Harry's interactions with an eclectic cast of characters, including a gipsy girl named Kiomi and a charming tramp. The beginning of the novel establishes Harry's longing for a free-spirited life, contrasting his previous existence at the rigid Rippenger's school. As he rises early in a tent and engages playfully with Kiomi, their adventures take them through picturesque settings and encounters with various people, including a farmer and a tramp. This opening portion paints a vivid picture of Harry's newfound independence and exhilarating exploration, while also hinting at deeper emotions tied to his past, particularly his father. The narrative’s whimsical yet introspective style invites readers into Harry's world, drawing them along on his journey of self-discovery. (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.