The Talk of the Town, Volume 1 (of 2)

"The Talk of the Town, Volume 1" by James Payn is a story that tells of a young man's life through his own memories and the historical stories of his Great Aunt Margaret. Set in an older time, the novel mixes together social events, relationships, and a love for literature and Shakespeare. Aunt Margaret, who is very old, is like a walking history book, and the narrator wants to share through her the sad story of a young man who was once very famous. We find out about her traditional ideas and love for the past. The story involves William Henry Erin and his cousin Margaret Slade, and their trip to Stratford-upon-Avon. As they search for their own identities while dealing with societal expectations, William begins to fall for Margaret, showing a loving but complex relationship that happens while dealing with their uncle’s love for old things and Shakespeare.