"James Pethel" by Sir Max Beerbohm is a story from the early 1900s that looks at luck, death, and how people connect, all through the life of one man, James Pethel. The story takes a close look at James Pethel's character as a rich gambler known for his amazing luck, and how he affects the narrator. The narrator remembers first meeting Pethel in Dieppe during a card game, drawn to how calm and normal he seemed compared to the other, wild gamblers. The narrator learns about Pethel's life as they became friends, including his wealth, his marriage to a barmaid, and his love for adventure and taking risks. The story shows how close Pethel is to his family, especially his daughter, but also points out the differences in his relationship with his wife, who doesn't seem to share his love of excitement. In the end, the story uncovers hidden issues and how easily Pethel's luck can change, leading to his unexpected death from a heart problem, which shows how uncertain life can be when living on the risky side.
James Pethel
By Max Beerbohm
A wealthy gambler with endless luck hides underlying tensions that lead to a shocking and abrupt ending to his thrilling life.
Summary
About the AuthorSir Henry Maximilian Beerbohm was an English essayist, parodist and caricaturist under the signature Max. He first became known in the 1890s as a dandy and a humorist. He was the drama critic for the Saturday Review from 1898 until 1910, when he relocated to Rapallo, Italy. In his later years he was popular for his occasional radio broadcasts. Among his best-known works is his only novel, Zuleika Dobson, published in 1911. His caricatures, drawn usually in pen or pencil with muted watercolour tinting, are in many public collections.
Sir Henry Maximilian Beerbohm was an English essayist, parodist and caricaturist under the signature Max. He first became known in the 1890s as a dandy and a humorist. He was the drama critic for the Saturday Review from 1898 until 1910, when he relocated to Rapallo, Italy. In his later years he was popular for his occasional radio broadcasts. Among his best-known works is his only novel, Zuleika Dobson, published in 1911. His caricatures, drawn usually in pen or pencil with muted watercolour tinting, are in many public collections.
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