Ten Degrees Backward

"Ten Degrees Backward" by Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler is a story set in a time when societal expectations and family ties heavily influence personal choices. It tells the story of Reginald Kingsnorth, a middle-aged man leading a predictable existence under the watchful eye of his sister, Annabel. His quiet life gets an unexpected shake-up with the arrival of the Wildacre twins, Frank and Fay, who bring youthful energy and the possibility of romance into his world. The novel explores Reginald's reflections on lost chances and his growing curiosity about changing the course of his life, all set against a backdrop of familial obligations and societal norms. The introduction of these new characters ignites a spark in Reginald, contrasting his feelings of past regrets with the anticipation of what the future may hold at Restham Manor.