Success and How He Won It

"Success and How He Won It" by E. Werner is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around a complex marriage between Arthur Berkow, the son of a wealthy industrialist, and the Baroness Eugénie von Windeg. The narrative explores themes of societal expectations, personal ambition, and the realities behind arranged unions, particularly the emotional struggles of Eugénie as she grapples with her new life and identity. At the start of the book, a grand wedding ceremony is underway in a beautifully adorned church, where guests whisper in anticipation. The newlyweds, Eugénie and Arthur, display an ambivalence towards their union; while Eugénie appears cold and statuesque, Arthur’s apathy is evident, marked by indifference to the sacred moment. As the celebration shifts to the Berkow estate, a sense of underlying tension arises due to class disparities and the expectations surrounding their marriage. The opening chapters set the stage for the conflict between personal desires and social pressures, emphasizing the disconnection felt by Eugénie and the emotional turmoil brewing beneath the surface of their opulent lives.