Daughters of Men

"Daughters of Men" by Hannah Lynch is a late 19th-century novel set in Athens that shows the tangled relationships and cultural clashes of its characters. The story centers on Rudolph Ehrenstein, a young nobleman trying to understand his feelings and values in a lively and troubled world. The novel starts with a lively party at the Austrian embassy where folks are excited to hear Mademoiselle Photini Natzelhuber, a famous pianist. The room buzzes with important people, creating a fancy social scene. Rudolph feels uneasy and out of place, intimidated by all the glitz and unfamiliar faces. He initially looks up to Natzelhuber, but his view changes when he sees her act in ways he didn't expect, which makes him rethink his feelings about her. This sets the stage for exploring themes of admiration, letdown, and the difficulties of young love in a culturally rich area.