Before You Begin

Before you begin.

First published in 1884, Andrew Lang’s Much Darker Days turns the conventions of sensation fiction into a comic maze of vows, suspected crimes, newspaper reports, and uncertain evidence. Its narrator, Basil South, tells the story as if every mistake were a matter of life and death.

After a winter encounter, Basil and Philippa try to make sense of a white hat, a missing key, and a man they believe to be dead. Their account grows more elaborate as the household moves from an isolated turnpike to the theatre and the courtroom.

This edition preserves the 13 original chapters and adds illustrated recaps at their ends. The companion plates introduce the characters, the places named in the story, and one important scene from each chapter. Andrew Lang’s existing LitLab author profile is linked separately.