Bella Donna: A Novel

"Bella Donna" by Robert Hichens is a novel that begins with Dr. Meyer Isaacson, a successful Jewish physician in London's high society, as he observes and treats his patients. One patient, a fascinating woman named Mrs. Chepstow, catches his attention because of her fading beauty and emotional struggles, which intrigues Isaacson. The novel opens to introduce Doctor Isaacson as he considers the lives of his patients, feeling a mixture of envy and exhaustion as he prepares for consultations. Mrs. Chepstow, stands out to him, she is an arresting woman whose beauty has waned but who still has an attractive presence, and now imbued with complexity and suggestions of desperation. Through their interactions, the contrast between physical issues and emotional health comes to light, showing Mrs. Chepstow's fight with getting older and her longing for life, enriching her character and the developing story.