Piccadilly: A Fragment of Contemporary Biography

"Piccadilly: A Fragment of Contemporary Biography" by Laurence Oliphant is a satirical tale from the 1800s that uses the character of Frank Vanecourt to poke fun at the norms and problems of the time. Frank, along with his friend Lord Grandon, navigates the high society of Piccadilly, encountering characters like Lady Veriphast. Frank initially plans to write a history of the world to expose the absurdities of society. However, he finds himself drawn into the complexities of love and personal relationships, which distract him from his initial goal as he prepares to write a grand biography. The story uses humor to discuss deeper issues of love, social expectations, and the moral challenges that Frank and those around him face.