Coningsby
First published in 1844, Coningsby is regarded as one of Benjamin Disraeli's greatest works of fiction, and an unparalleled study of man, his manners and principles. It tells the tale of an orphan, given great opportunity through the benefices of his grandfather, only to have his fortune snatched away from him for falling in love with the wrong person. The young protagonist is forced to prove his character against difficult odds if he is to recover his fortune and his place in the world. Played out against the background of the real political events that followed the Reform Act of 1832, this novel is a fascinating insight into the tenor of these times, as well as a strong reflection of the author's own personal political ideology. Coningsby continues to have an enduring appeal for readers, not only as a perceptive portrait of aristocratic and political life during the early nineteenth century, but also as a traditional romance that showcases the literary abilities of one of Britain's greatest statesmen.