This 1300 page novel is set in 1873 and follows the story of Augustus Melmotte, a financial wizard from Middle Europe, and his daughter Marie. The novel is a satire of dishonesty in high places and features a variety of romantic entanglements. It also examines domestic violence and the consequences of financial corruption. Despite its doorstop length, the novel is a page-turner and features a variety of interesting characters, including the entitled Sir Felix Carbury and the tough American woman Winifred Hurtle, who threatens faithless boyfriends with her bullwhip.

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