Beyond the City

"Beyond the City" by Arthur Conan Doyle, presents a glimpse into a late 19th-century suburban neighborhood and the lives of two elderly sisters, Miss Bertha and Miss Monica Williams, who are fascinated with their new neighbor, Mrs. Westmacott, moving into number three. The story provides an engaging cast of characters as they settle in, including Mrs. Westmacott's nephew Charles. The book seems to reveal the sisters' reactions to the young family's unusual actions, including strange objects in the house, which serves as a starting point to see relationships and social changes as the characters challenge each other’s expectations in a changing world, revealing themes of social transformation, especially concerning the place of women. The narrative begins by showcasing the funny dynamic between the sisters observing the unusual newcomer.