The Wages of Virtue (ePub)

Percival Christopher Wren (1875-1941) was an English author, predominantly recognized for his adventure fiction. His literary career spanned the early 20th century, during which he penned numerous novels that often explored themes of honor, comradeship, and the imperial British ethos. Wren is best known for his Beau Geste trilogy, especially the first novel 'Beau Geste' (1924), which immortalized the tale of the French Foreign Legion and became a classic that influenced popular perceptions of the Legion. Another significant work is 'The Wages of Virtue' (1916), which, like his later novels, provides insight into life within colonial outposts and the multifaceted nature of virtue and vice. The themes evidenced in 'The Wages of Virtue', a drama interwoven with irony and morality, find resonance throughout Wren's oeuvre. His storytelling often carries a didactic quality, interlacing his adventurous narratives with philosophical musing and existential questioning. Though his popularity has waned since his death, at the time, his works were bestsellers, and Wren carved out a niche as an expert in adventure tales set against exotic locales. Despite critics at times pointing to his formulaic approach, his contribution to the adventure genre remains significant, providing a window into the bravado and escapist fantasies of his era. His works continue to be of interest to those studying the dynamics of early 20th-century popular literature and colonial narratives.