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Read and listen to What Will People Say? A Novel

by Rupert Hughes (1872–1956) · public domain · courtesy of Project Gutenberg

Cover of What Will People Say? A Novel
  • Format: ebook + synthetic narration
  • Language: English
  • Reading: available without a narration subscription
  • 43,618 downloads on Project Gutenberg

About the book

"What Will People Say?" by Rupert Hughes is a novel written in the early 20th century. It follows the story of Lieutenant Harvey Forbes, a young soldier recently returned from the Philippines, as he navigates the vibrant yet perplexing world of New York City. In particular, the narrative focuses on his fascination with the beauty and allure of women in high society, especially a mysterious woman he encounters while exploring Fifth Avenue. The book appears to delve into themes of love, social expectations, and the complexities of human interactions in a rapidly changing urban environment. At the start of the story, Lieutenant Forbes observes the bustling streets of New York and reflects on his time away. He becomes enthralled by the parade of women, with his attention fixed on one captivating figure adorned with a striking hat. As he attempts to catch a glimpse of her face, he experiences a mix of admiration and envy, propelling him into a quest to uncover her identity. The narrative introduces the contrasts between lavish city life and personal conflict as Forbes assesses the seemingly effortless interactions among the well-to-do, all while grappling with his own emotions and the implications of what love and desire entail in such a dynamic society.

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What Will People Say? A Novel is in the public domain, so its text can be read in Gutenvox. The app provides transparent on-device synthetic narration, not a human audiobook recording, and can highlight spoken words on the page while keeping your place between reading and listening.

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Man-woman relationships -- FictionNew York (N.Y.) -- Social life and customs -- 20th century -- FictionTriangles (Interpersonal relations) -- Fiction