Juggernaut

"Juggernaut" by Alice Campbell is a novel written in the late 1920s. The story follows Esther Rowe, a Canadian nurse, who seeks employment in Cannes and applies for a position as a doctor's assistant. She navigates the unfamiliar cultural landscape while interacting with various prominent characters, including the enigmatic Dr. Gregory Sartorius, as she becomes intricately involved in their potentially tumultuous lives. The opening of the novel introduces Esther as she arrives at the doctor's house for her job interview, layered with a mix of excitement and apprehension. As Esther navigates her way through the doctor's austere salon, she is introduced to Dr. Sartorius, who exudes a detached demeanor, contrasting sharply with her own warm personality. Their conversation reveals her determination to find work in a foreign land, as well as Dr. Sartorius’s demanding expectations of his new assistant. The narrative quickly establishes a sense of underlying tension, particularly with the introduction of patients like Lady Clifford, hinting at deeper mysteries and challenges awaiting Esther as she embarks on this new chapter of her life.