The Talk of the Town, Volume 2 (of 2): Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Talk of the Town, Volume 2 (of 2): author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Talk of the Town, Volume 2 (of 2) is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Payn, James (1830–1898).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Talk of the Town, Volume 2" by James Payn is a fictional novel written in the late 19th century. The story appears to revolve around the theme of literary discovery, featuring characters deeply engaged in debates about the authenticity of various Shakespearean manuscripts. Central to the plot are William Henry Erin, a young man who seeks to prove his literary worth, and Mr. Erin, his antiquary father, alongside Margaret, who plays a significant role in the personal dynamics of the story. At the start of the novel, we witness a fundamental transformation in the relationship between William Henry and his father, Mr. Erin, marked by a newfound camaraderie as they read Shakespeare together. However, tensions arise in their lives as William Henry discovers an original manuscript of "King Lear," igniting excitement but also the flames of contention among critics and scholars regarding its authenticity. As the narrative progresses, we see the characters navigating challenges including harsh criticism from renowned figures, emotional ties among themselves, and the looming question of a marriage proposal, all intertwined with the literary debate that surrounds Shakespeare's legacy. The opening chapters set the stage for a compelling exploration of ambition, love, and the quest for validation in a society captivated by literary pursuits.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Talk of the Town, Volume 2 (of 2)
- Author credits: Payn, James (1830–1898)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Forgeries -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: British Literature
- Category: Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


