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Vainglory
Paperback
Classic FictionGeneral FictionLiterary Fiction
ISBN13: 9781026067857
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 206
Weight: 0.65
Height: 0.44 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
Vainglory is Ronald Firbank's first major novel, a sophisticated masterpiece of social satire and modernist experimentation. Set in the fictional English cathedral city of Ashringford, the narrative follows the unconventional ambitions of Mrs. Shamefoot, a society figure determined to secure her own legacy by having a stained-glass window dedicated to herself in the local cathedral-while she is still very much alive.
Characterized by its witty, fragmented dialogue and a cast of eccentric characters, the work navigates the intricate layers of high society with a distinctive camp aesthetic. Firbank blends delicate irony with sharp observations of vanity, religion, and the human pursuit of artistic immortality. Through a series of impressionistic vignettes, the novel explores the trivialities of the upper class and the delightful absurdity of their social rituals.
Often cited as a significant influence on later writers like Evelyn Waugh and Aldous Huxley, Vainglory remains a landmark of aestheticism. Its innovative prose and rapid-fire conversational style challenged the conventions of its time, marking a bold transition toward the playful abstraction of early twentieth-century literature. This work remains a vital example of literary artifice and sharp psychological insight into the British social fabric.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
7 different editions
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