The novel centers around the life of a young London bookbinder, Hyacinth Robinson, who is of obscure birth but intellectually gifted. His life becomes intertwined with that of a beautiful aristocrat, who introduces him to a world of radical politics and social reform. As he becomes more deeply involved with an underground revolutionary movement, he is torn between his loyalty to the cause and his attraction to the luxurious world of the upper class. This internal conflict leads him to a tragic decision, as he grapples with the complexities of class, politics, and his own identity.

The 6949th greatest book of all time