:mad:
Not sure Walloon’s done you any favours recommending The Ambassadors - absolute ball-breaking novel, found it a v difficult read. YMMV, though - I find James really tough but others get to grips with him no probs.
What you need my friend is an adventure book. My favourite ones meeting your limitations:
The Prisioner of Zenda and Rupert of Hentzau by Anthony Hope.
Lorna Dooneby R.D. Blackmore.
King Solomon’s mine by H.R. Haggard.
Captain Courageous by Rudyard Kipling.
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orcsy.
Michael Strogoff, Journey to the center of the earth, From Earth to moon, Five weeks on a balloon and Around the world in 80 days, by Julio Verne
Hey, Walloon, no offense. I don’t agree with her observations. It’s just that her perspective as a strait-laced English preacher’s daughter, finding herself on the Continent in the heart of a very Catholic Belgian girls’ school, is an education in culture clash. Also, we Dopers are always open to snark. I also like Louisa May Alcott’s thorniness as she attacks sexism, dietary habits, health issues, politics and other subjects of her day. But she also wasn’t immune to prejudice; as a Protestant New Englander, she could give hell to Irish immigrants.
No problem, my angry face (in combination with my user name) was meant as a sight gag. I wasn’t really angry.