Pelham (Volume I) by Edward Bulwer-Lytton is a sharp social satire set in Victorian England, exploring the intricacies of high society and aristocracy. The novel offers a keen character study, blending romance and intrigue with a critical examination of social class. Through wit and humor, Bulwer-Lytton delves into the personal transformation of his characters as they navigate the complexities of London society. The narrative provides a rich commentary on political and social issues, addressing family dynamics, career ambitions, and romantic entanglements. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century manners and moral dilemmas, Pelham critiques the norms and expectations of the time. The book's exploration of social class and personal ambition reflects Bulwer-Lytton's broader commentary on the nature of society and individual identity. With its engaging plot and insightful observations, the novel remains a significant work in Victorian literature, offering a nuanced view of the social landscape of its era.
Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton, PC was an English author and politician who was born on May 25, 1803 and died on January 18, 1873. Between 1831 and 1841, he was a Whig member of Parliament. From 1851 to 1866, he was a Conservative member. From June 1858 to June 1859, he was Secretary of State for the Colonies. During that time, he chose Richard Clement Moody to be the first governor of British Columbia. After King Otto gave up his throne in 1862, he turned down the Crown of Greece. In 1866, he was made Baron Lytton of Knebworth. His writings were well known at the time he wrote them. "The pen is mightier than the sword," "dweller on the threshold," "the great unwashed," and the opening line "It was a dark and stormy night" were all quotes that he came up with. Since 1982, the sarcastic Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest has been held every year. Its goal is to find the "beginning sentence of the worst of all possible novels." On May 25, 1803, General William Earle Bulwer of Heydon Hall and Wood Dalling, Norfolk, and Elizabeth Barbara Lytton, daughter of Richard Warburton Lytton of Knebworth House, Hertfordshire, had a child. This child was Bulwer. His brothers were William Earle Lytton Bulwer (1799-1877) and Henry (1801-1872), who became Lord Dalling and Bulwer.
