His Hour

"His Hour" by Elinor Glyn is a story about Tamara, a young woman who is now a widow, seeking to find herself. As she travels, she meets Prince Milaslávski who she encounters in Egypt and later in Russia. The book looks at being true to yourself, the feeling of love, and what society expects, as Tamara tries to balance what she wants and the ordinary life she feels stuck in. At the start of the story, Tamara is up early looking at the Sphinx and thinking about her life and decisions. She feels alone but also defiant and talks to the Sphinx about truly living in the moment instead of following society's rules. This leads to her meeting Prince Milaslávski, a charming person who makes her curious and awakens her feelings. When they ride into the night together, Tamara starts to doubt her life, suggesting bigger problems and passionate relationships to come. It builds the scene to an interesting view on self-identity and love that is not allowed.