White Motley: A Novel

"White Motley: A Novel" by Max Pemberton is a fiction work written in the early 20th century. The narrative introduces themes of social class and personal ambition through its richly drawn characters, particularly focusing on the intriguing figure of Mrs. Kennaird, also referred to as the "little widow," and her interactions with a motley company of winter sports enthusiasts in the Swiss Alps. The story hints at entangled pasts and the pursuit of new beginnings against the backdrop of winter sports and ghostly rumors. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to the elegantly aged New House at Holmswell and its former occupants, Sir Luton Delayne and his wife, Lady Delayne, whose tragic separation sets the stage for the story's exploration of personal struggles and societal norms. The narrative quickly shifts to a group of British travelers heading to the ski resort of Andana, including the endearing, somewhat bumbling Benny Benson, who longs to prove himself as an aviator. As they journey through the picturesque Swiss landscape, the interactions between Mrs. Kennaird and Benny—a character burdened by a sense of inferiority due to his less privileged background—begin to develop, setting up an engaging exploration of ambitions, identities, and the pursuit of happiness amidst the specter of their respective pasts.