The wrong box

A tale of inheritance, deception, and family intrigue

Robert Louis Stevenson

134 pages, parution le 26/06/2023

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Résumé

"The Wrong Box" is a darkly comedic novel co-authored by Robert Louis Stevenson and Lloyd Osbourne. The story revolves around the Finsbury family and a tontine-a financial arrangement where the last surviving member inherits a substantial sum of money. The narrative begins with the Finsbury brothers, Joseph and Masterman, as the last two survivors of the tontine. Morris Finsbury, Joseph's nephew, is desperate to claim the inheritance and escape his failing leather business. He concocts a plan to ensure his uncle Joseph outlives Masterman, suspecting that Masterman is already dead and that his cousin Michael is hiding the fact to defraud him. The plot thickens when a train accident seemingly kills Joseph, but in a twist of fate, he survives and goes into hiding. Morris and his brother John, unaware of Joseph's survival, mistakenly bury another body, believing it to be their uncle. Meanwhile, Joseph, oblivious to the chaos, embarks on a series of misadventures, including hitching a ride with a carrier and wandering through the countryside. As the story unfolds, the brothers' attempts to cover up their supposed crime lead to a series of comedic and farcical situations. The novel explores themes of greed, mistaken identity, and the absurdity of human nature, all while maintaining a satirical tone. The Finsbury family's antics culminate in a humorous and unexpected resolution, highlighting the futility of their schemes and the unpredictability of life.

L'auteur - Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) est né à Edimbourg, en Ecosse. Ayant reçu une éducation presbytérienne, il s'émancipe dès l'âge de dix-sept ans en entrant à l'université et mène une vie bohème. Il se consacre alors à l'écriture et au voyage. Il est l'auteur de nombreux romans dont L'Île au trésor, Voyage avec un âne dans les Cévennes ou encore ce chef-d'oeuvre : L'Etrange Cas du docteur Jekyll et de M. Hyde. Il meurt à Apia, dans l'île d'Upolu (Océanie). Cet auteur majeur du XIXe siècle a su enchanter petits et grands lecteurs.