Priscilla and Charybdis: A Story of Alternatives by Frank Frankfort Moore is a witty romance and social satire set in early 20th-century British society. The novel explores a complex love triangle and the moral dilemmas faced by its characters, blending humor with a critical look at relationships and societal norms. The story centers on Priscilla, whose romantic entanglements lead to comedic and insightful situations that reflect the social mores of the time. Moore's use of satire allows him to address the intricacies of human relationships and the pressures of societal expectations with both sharp wit and depth. Through its engaging narrative and well-developed characters, the book offers a humorous yet thought-provoking examination of love and choices. Priscilla and Charybdis stands out for its clever interplay of romance and social commentary, capturing the essence of early 20th-century British life with a blend of comedy and critique.
Frank Frankfort Moore was an Irish writer, journalist, and playwright who lived from 1855 to 1931. He was a Protestant from Belfast and a unionist. But during the years of Home Rule protests, his historical fiction did not shy away from themes of Irish Catholics being pushed out of their homes. Moore was born in Limerick but grew up in Belfast. He remembers seeing religious rioters being chased by dragoons with sabers drawn in the street below his nursery window as his oldest memory. It was a pretty well-off family; Moore's father was a successful clockmaker and jeweler, and French and German were spoken. But because the older Moore was a member of the very strict Open Brethren sect, he wanted his kids to only read religious and educational books. The preacher Michael Paget Baxter often went there. He said that Emperor Napoleon III was the Beast from the Book of Revelation. Moore went to school at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution and quickly learned to take a step back from his father's views. He remembered that some slanderous lines called "Mr. Baxter and the Beast" were going around, "proving" that Baxter was the Antichrist.
