White Motley: A Novel

"White Motley: A Novel" by Max Pemberton is an early 20th-century story about social class and wanting more in life. It follows the mysterious Mrs. Kennaird, a young widow, as she meets a varied group of people enjoying winter sports in the Swiss Alps. The book opens by describing the historic New House at Holmswell with its previous owners, Sir Luton Delayne and Lady Delayne, whose troubled marriage foreshadows the themes of struggle and what society expects. The story then focuses on a group of British tourists traveling to the Andana ski resort, including Benny Benson, a likeable but clumsy guy who dreams of becoming a pilot. As they travel through beautiful Switzerland, Mrs. Kennaird and Benny, who feels insecure because he comes from a less wealthy background, start to connect, promising a story about chasing dreams, figuring out who you are, and finding happiness while dealing with their pasts.