John Meade Falkner
Biography
John Meade Falkner (1858–1932) was an English novelist, antiquary, and arms manufacturer who wrote three distinctive novels while pursuing a career in business. Born in Manningford Bruce, Wiltshire, he became chairman of the Armstrong Whitworth armaments company. Despite his business career, he produced three highly regarded novels: The Lost Stradivarius (1895), a ghost story; Moonfleet (1898), an adventure tale that became a children’s classic; and The Nebuly Coat (1903), a subtle novel of cathedral intrigue. His literary output was small but each novel is considered a minor masterpiece of its genre.
Common themes in John Meade Falkner's work
English adventure fiction
A recurring theme throughout John Meade Falkner's writing.
Gothic fiction
A recurring theme throughout John Meade Falkner's writing.
Cathedral novels
A recurring theme throughout John Meade Falkner's writing.
Smuggling
A recurring theme throughout John Meade Falkner's writing.
Books
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Why John Meade Falkner is still read today
Falkner’s three novels are all considered minor classics. Moonfleet remains a beloved adventure story, and The Nebuly Coat is increasingly recognized as a masterpiece of English fiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was John Meade Falkner?
John Meade Falkner (1858–1932) was an English businessman-novelist who wrote three highly regarded novels, including the adventure classic Moonfleet.
What are his novels?
Moonfleet, The Nebuly Coat, and The Lost Stradivarius. Two are available free on TextStack.
Why is he not better known?
He wrote only three novels while running a major armaments company, but each is considered a minor masterpiece.
Where can I read Falkner free?
TextStack offers Falkner’s novels to read free online.
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