Thomas Love Peacock: 33 books

This second (1817) novel by the English satirist takes on the electoral system of the time, in a plot about a civilized yet silent orangutan elected Member of Parliament for the “rotten-borough” Onevote. The novel also serves as a scathing treatise on romanticism, primitivism, and the idea of the “noble savage.”

Headlong Hall, originally published in 1815, works less to tell a story than to present interesting characters satirically discussing the thoughts and movements of their time. The affable Squire Headlong conducts discussions among his intellectual friends—such as Mr. Foster, Mr. Escot, Mr. Jenkinson—who range from one extreme to the other on all topics. 

Think humor writing is solely the province of modern writers? Think again. The early nineteenth-century novel Headlong Hall is a hilarious foray into the world of the British upper class, where well-funded heirs have nothing but time on their hands to pursue increasingly bizarre hobbies and interests....

Published in 1818, this nimble satire of gothic novels and Romanticism focuses on Christopher Glowry and his son, Scythrop, who dwell in their ancestral home of Nightmare Abbey.  There, a succession of moody, melancholy philosophers and poets—based on historical personages—engage their hosts in debate, while young Scythrop pursues romance with various unobtainable women.

With a love triangle, the story depicts the consequences of insincere efforts. Peacock has shown that materialistic approach is the end of humanity and humane feelings; the result is destruction of personalities. Moralistic and captivating!