The Seventh Noon

"The Seventh Noon" by Frederick Orin Bartlett is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Peter Donaldson, a disillusioned young man who grapples with his place in a society that seems unwelcoming to his aspirations. He embarks on a darkly contemplative journey, contemplating the idea of freedom from life's burdens as he comes to terms with the worth of existence. At the start of the narrative, we are introduced to Professor Barstow and Peter Donaldson, as they engage in a heated discussion about the value of life and the right to choose death. Their conversation reveals Donaldson's inner turmoil, stemming from personal struggles and dissatisfaction with the constraints imposed by societal expectations. When Barstow demonstrates a poison he has created, which takes a week to kill, Donaldson is struck by the idea of escaping his troubles through a similar means. As the narrative develops, he is drawn to a mysterious woman named Miss Arsdale, who enters the professor's laboratory, hinting at a connection that may alter the course of his thoughts and impending decisions. Donaldson decides to live fully for a week, free from the future's constraints, promising to give up his life if it serves a higher purpose, setting the stage for a compelling exploration of life, love, mortality, and the choices we make.