Between two thieves - A Compelling Tale of Betrayal Survival and Redemption in Post-WWI England

Richard Dehan

Summary

In "Between Two Thieves," Richard Dehan crafts a poignant narrative that intertwines themes of morality, redemption, and societal critique against the backdrop of early 20th-century England. Dehan employs a rich, evocative prose style, skillfully juxtaposing the inner turmoil of his characters with the external conflicts they face. The novel unfolds through the lives of two protagonists, each representing opposing moral trajectories, revealing how societal pressures and personal choices shape their destinies. Written during a time of great social change, the book reflects the complexities of class struggle and the quest for identity in a rapidly evolving world. Richard Dehan, born in 1866, was a notable figure in early 20th-century literature, drawing from his experiences in both the U.S. and England. His diverse background, including stints in journalism and a deep engagement with contemporary social issues, undoubtedly informed the thematic richness of "Between Two Thieves." Dehan was known for his exploration of human psychology and societal dynamics, which are prevalent throughout this work, serving as a mirror to the human condition in a time of moral ambiguity. This book is highly recommended for readers interested in psychological depth and social commentary, as Dehan masterfully navigates the complex interplay between crime and virtue. "Between Two Thieves" provides profound insights into the human psyche and remains a significant, if often overlooked, contribution to the literature of its time.

Available since: 07/10/2023.

Print length: 656 pages.

Other books that might interest you

Don't Cry for Me - A Novel

Daniel Black

Don't miss Daniel Black's next novel Isaac's Song coming January 2025NAMED A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK IN ESSENCE MAGAZINE, THE MILLIONS AND BOOKISH"Don't Cry for Me is a perfect song."—Jesmyn WardA Black father makes amends with his gay son through letters written on his deathbed in this wise and penetrating novel of empathy and forgiveness, for fans of Ta-Nehisi Coates, Robert Jones Jr. and Alice WalkerAs Jacob lies dying, he begins to write a letter to his only son, Isaac. They have not met or spoken in many years, and there are things that Isaac must know. Stories about his ancestral legacy in rural Arkansas that extend back to slavery. Secrets from Jacob's tumultuous relationship with Isaac's mother and the shame he carries from the dissolution of their family. Tragedies that informed Jacob's role as a father and his reaction to Isaac's being gay.But most of all, Jacob must share with Isaac the unspoken truths that reside in his heart. He must give voice to the trauma that Isaac has inherited. And he must create a space for the two to find peace. With piercing insight and profound empathy, acclaimed author Daniel Black illuminates the lived experiences of Black fathers and queer sons, offering an authentic and ultimately hopeful portrait of reckoning and reconciliation. Spare as it is sweeping, poetic as it is compulsively readable, Don't Cry for Me is a monumental novel about one family grappling with love's hard edges and the unexpected places where hope and healing take flight.

Show book

Maria La Divina - A Novel of...

Jerome Charyn

An intimate portrait of the world's most iconic opera singer 
 
Maria Callas, called La Divina, is widely recognized as the greatest diva who ever lived. Jerome Charyn's Callas springs to life as the headstrong, mercurial, and charismatic artist who captivated generations of fans, thrilling audiences with her brilliant performances and defiant personality. 
 
Callas, an outsider from an impoverished background, was shunned by the Italian opera houses, but through sheer force of will and the power and range of her voice, she broke through the invisible wall to sing at La Scala and headline at the Metropolitan Opera, forging an unforgettable career. Adored by celebrities and statesmen, the notable and notorious alike, her every movement was shadowed by both music critics and gossip columnists—until, having lost her voice, she died alone in an opulent, mausoleum-like Paris apartment. 
 
In Charyn's inimitable style, Maria La Divina humanizes the celebrated diva, revealing the mythical artist as a woman who survived hunger, war, and loneliness to reach the heights of acclaim.

Show book

Satan's Circus - An evil couple...

Lady Eleanor Smith

Lady Eleanor Furneaux Smith was born in Birkenhead, Merseyside in England on the 7th August 1902 into a privileged family steeped in titles and politics.

Part of her education was at Miss Douglas's school at Queen's Gate. Here she met and befriended several other young women that the British tabloid press would later call the ‘Bright Young Things’, a group of bohemian young aristocrats and socialites in 1920s London.

Smith's paternal great-grandmother, was said to have been a Gypsy, and this sparked an early and life-long interest with the Romani people, she even went so far as to learn to read and speak the language, which she called ‘musical and broken.’

Her life was full of adventure and mishaps. A mistaken encounter with a man she thought could help her into the film business turned out to threats of marriage and death from a man wanted for the murder of his father. She was even arrested twice. Once for listing her career as a journalist and another, in Rome, for walking around in a sleeveless dress.

Smith began her career writing society gossip columns for various newspapers but later received an offer to write for the newly-formed Great Carmo Circus, with which she travelled for several years and was the source material for many of her books.

Her first novel, ‘Red Wagon’, was published when she was 28 and it was an immediate bestseller. A prolific writer several of her works were also adapted for films.

Smith also wrote ghost stories and others flavoured with evil. Her support for the Conservative party may be forgiven but her attributed quote to be a ‘warm adherent of General Franco’ less so.

Lady Eleanor Furneaux Smith died on the 20th October 1945 in Westminster after a long illness. She was 43.

Show book

German Wife The: Book Summary &...

Margot Langley

This content is an independent and unofficial summary created for informational and educational purposes only. It is not affiliated with, authorized, approved, licensed, or endorsed by the original author or publisher. All rights to the original work belong to its respective copyright holders. This summary is not intended to substitute the original book, but to offer a concise overview and interpretation of its main ideas.

In a world shattered by war, one woman must navigate love, loyalty, and survival. The German Wife is a gripping historical drama that follows the harrowing journey of a woman torn between her duty and her conscience during the rise and fall of Nazi Germany.

As bombs fall and ideologies clash, she faces impossible choices—choices that will shape her future and redefine her identity. From the desolate ruins of Berlin to the secrets hidden in American suburbs, this powerful story explores guilt, redemption, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Show book

Until We Meet - We'll Meet Again...

Rhonda Forrest

A small garrison of Australian soldiers is left to defend a town and its people against the might of the Japanese forces. This is a story of those who were left behind and those who waited for them to return.
***
In early 1940, Bud joins the United States Navy, his aim, to become a US Submariner. Less than two years later, Japanese forces bomb Pearl Harbour. Those living on the islands of New Guinea lie directly in the path of the oncoming enemy.

In Rabaul, Joanie prepares to depart, leaving behind her fiancée, those who she loves and many who she has become friends with. As the volcano Tavurvur gathers its forces and bursts forth from its crater, the ill-equipped, small Australian defence known as Lark Force is left to secure the small town. Overwhelmed by the large enemy forces, the order is given, ‘every man for themselves.’ Although some will survive, 1053 men lose their lives when a US Submarine sinks the POW Japanese ship, Montevideo Maru. The seeds of destiny are sown and the lives of the American submariner, Bud, and those in Rabaul, intrinsically linked.

Will Michael return to fulfil his promise of marrying Joanie and what will be the fate of his young daughter, Gracie, who still turns to the evening star for guidance, for her questions to be answered, and above all to be reunited with her father.

Until We Meet is an epic saga, based on actual events that continues the story of Elizabeth’s Star. A tale of survival, love and family, set amidst the backdrop of World War II.

Show book

Yeseni and the Daughter of Peace

Solange Burrell

The year is 1748. Elewa, known as ‘the Daughter of Peace’, bears a heavy responsibility on her young shoulders: to maintain the fragile truce between the warring peoples of her West African kingdom. 
 
But as she begins to understand her role in the peace negotiations, even greater pressures emerge. Elewa discovers that she has Yeseni, a powerful gift that allows her to see events from any point in time, and to travel into the past and future. 
 
When she experiences horrific visions of life aboard a slave ship, she realises she has to face the ultimate crossroads. She could use her gift to intervene in the past and try to prevent the transatlantic slave trade ever taking place. But that means she, as the Daughter of Peace, would be leaving her village behind at a precarious moment in the reconciliation process. 
 
Whichever path she chooses to take, the future of her people lies on her shoulders.

Show book