A Transient Guest, and Other Episodes

"A Transient Guest, and Other Episodes" by Edgar Saltus, is a compilation of tales set in the late 1800s that uses detailed environments and emotion to enhance the experiences and journeys of various characters. The short stories begins with a young American man named Tancred Ennever, who travels to the unusual terrain of Sumatra; he is faced with deciding how he feels about Mrs. Lyeth and her daughter, Liance. The beginning of the book depicts Tancred arriving at the tropical home of General Petrus van Lier in Sumatra. The complex emotions of Tancred are heightened when he is faced with his instant attraction to Mrs. Lyeth and her captivating young daughter, Liance. These stories are intricately described and structured with rich imagery and inner thoughts to develop the themes of passion, social standards, and the temptation of uncertainty. Interpersonal relationships become complicated by cultural differences and the weight of personal ambitions, hinting at the tension to come.