The Island of Fantasy: A Romance

"The Island of Fantasy: A Romance" by Fergus Hume is a tale set in the late 1800's, circling around a rich, sad young man named Maurice Roylands who is grappling with his lack of purpose. As the story begins, we find Maurice in deep thought, talking to his friend, the rector, about happiness and love; we learn that Maurice is an artist who feels like he can't enjoy his life. Later, his aunt and cousin come to visit setting up potential romances, especially involving Maurice and his cousin, Eunice. The rector thinks that love might be the answer to Maurice's sadness. Then, Crispin, a poet, is introduced, suggesting all the relationships that will be important in the story, as Maurice starts thinking about how important love and friendship are in feeling better.