Books by Hall Caine

This is a story of Egypt and the Soudan with its principal scenes in Cairo and Khartoum. It was published in 1909, and anticipated by many years some racial, political and religious problems which are now agitating those countries. The central character resembles the Madhi in his earlier years. At first he is a religious reformer only, but later he developes political aims which bring him into sharp collision with the British rule. A tragic happening enlists on his side the son of the English Consul-General who remotely resembles the late Lord Cromer in his policy, but not his person. Out of this fact and the further complication of his affection for an English woman, Helena, the author developes his love story. The glamour and mystery of the East are the background of the novel, which is a strong contrast to the stark simplicity of the scenes of Hall Caine's Manx and Icelandic stories. The Liverpool Post says: "Hall Caine's power of rivetting and engrossing attention will be found in this novel at its zenith."

Victor Stowell, a young man of fine nature, coming from a family with high traditions, commits a sin against a woman in circumstances of extreme temptation such as come to millions of young men in every generation. He conceals his sin, and his concealment leads to other and still other sins, until his whole life is wrapped up in falsehood, and even the little community in which he lives is in danger of being submerged in the consequences. In his sufferings he descends as into Hell, but at length he sees that there is only one salvation for himself, his victim and his people - confession and reparation. After he has confessed his secret sin and paid the penalty in renunciation, he is saved from spiritual death by the love of a noble-hearted woman who has inspired him to the act of atonement - so the climax of the story is the resurrection of his soul. The scene is literally the Isle of Man, and the period the late 19th century, but the one may be said to be all the world, and the other all time, for the subject is universal. Sir Thomas Henry Hall Caine (1853-1931) was an English best-selling author. His novels, some of which were set in the Isle of Man, sold by the millions, were made into plays and films, and were translated into many languages.