The Prelude to Adventure

An English novelist known for his vivid storytelling and scene-setting, Sir Hugh Seymour Walpole was encouraged by literary giants like Henry James and Arnold Bennett. Initially groomed for the church, he shifted to writing, becoming a best-selling author in the 1920s and 1930s with a prolific output, producing at least one novel annually after his debut, The Wooden Horse. Despite his popularity during his lifetime, he has been largely overlooked since his passing in 1941. Walpole's spontaneous writing style involved minimal revision, capturing his ideas swiftly.