The Hosts of the Lord

Name: The Hosts of the Lord
Author: Flora Annie Webster Steel

By Flora Annie Webster Steel

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British Literature Novels

About This Book

The narrative unfolds in a colonial frontier town where the arrival of engineers and the planned opening of a canal unsettle local life and beliefs. Through intersecting episodes involving military men, missionaries, European residents, and indigenous riverfolk, it traces cultural misunderstandings, moral dilemmas, and personal entanglements. Religious ceremonies, social gatherings, and political maneuverings expose competing loyalties and ambitions, while characters face loss, faith, and the costs of so-called progress. Interwoven subplots examine compassion and hypocrisy, and the precarious balance between tradition and change, leading to reckonings that test private convictions and public responsibilities.

About the Author

Flora Annie Webster Steel

Flora Annie Webster Steel was a British author known for her contributions to literature that often explore themes of Indian culture and folklore. Born in 1847, she spent a significant part of her life in India, which deeply influenced her writing. Her notable works include "English Fairy Tales," a collection that showcases her ability to weave traditional narratives with her unique storytelling style. Additionally, her historical novel "On the Face of the Waters: A Tale of the Mutiny" reflects her engagement with the complexities of colonial India. Steel's literary legacy includes a diverse array of novels, essays, and children's stories, making her a significant figure in the literary heritage of the British Empire.