TidbitsMOV Issue #1287 Classic Novels by Tidbits MOV

TIDBITS® READS A FEW CLASSIC NOVELS

by Kathy Wolfe

Tidbits invites you to sit back and read the background of some of history’s classic novels.

• “Call me Ishmael.” These three words are the opening lines of the renowned novel Moby Dick, penned by novelist Herman Melville in 1850 – 1851. Melville based the story on a real-life whale named Mocha Dick, a creature named after the island of Mocha, 25 miles (40 km) off the coast of southern Chile. The island was near where sailors first encountered the 70-ft. (21.3-m) albino sperm whale known to destroy whaling boats. The whale was killed around 1839, found with 19 harpoons lodged in its sides. Melville’s book was far from popular, selling only 3,715 copies during his lifetime, with sales of just $556, about $253,000 in today’s dollars. His recognition plummeted, and Melville took a job as a customs inspector. He died in 1891, and when the novel was mentioned in his obituary, readers began to track down his novels, every one of which had gone out of print by 1876. Moby Dick was reprinted and its popularity began a slow growth to becoming one of the most widely-read novels in history.

• Herman Melville dedicated Moby Dick to his good friend and neighbor Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of The Scarlett Letter turn the page for more!

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CLASSIC NOVELS

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• Nathaniel Hawthorne published The Scarlett Letter 1850, the story of Hester Prynne, a woman married to a much-older man who refuses to join her in Boston after their emigration from Europe. After his three-year absence, Hester engages in a relationship with a man in the community and gives birth to a child. She is forced to wear a scarlet letter “A” (for “adultery”) on her clothing for the rest of her life. The story is set in the Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony from 1642-1649. While many praised the book, others called it scandalous for the time. The book made Hawthorne a well-known writer, with the first printing selling out in ten days. However, he didn’t get rich from the sales. Royalties were often less than a penny per copy, and Hawthorne made just $1,500 over the last 14 years of his life.

• Irish writer Oscar Wilde’s fantasy novel The Picture of Dorian Gray was released in 1891, the story of a very handsome young man who sells his soul for eternal youth. When Dorian Gray receives a painting of himself, he is warned that beauty and youth will fade, and Gray makes the bargain and trades places so that he will maintain his youth while the painting ages. Gray begins to indulge in a selfish lavish lifestyle, drawn to evil and denying himself no decadent pleasure. As he loses all remorse, the painting ages and takes on a cruel expression reflecting Gray’s immoral actions while he remains young and handsome. When he sees the dramatic decline of the painting, Gray attempts a few honorable acts to see if the decay of the art will reverse. When it doesn’t, in a fit of rage, he stabs the painting in the heart. Dorian Gray is found dead as a very aged old man, and the portrait has returned to its original beautiful state.

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CLASSIC NOVELS

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• Can you identify one of history’s most widely-read novels by its opening line? “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” These are the first words of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, first published in 1859. It’s commonly assigned on high school and college reading lists, contributing to the 210 million copies sold over the decades. Dickens first released it in 31 weekly installments in the literary periodical “All the Year Round,” enabling Dickens to hold on to his readers by maintaining suspense. Set during the French Revolution, 1775 to 1792, the author writes of two cities, London and Paris, contrasting the differences between the lavish lifestyles of the English upper class and the poverty of France’s lower class. The opening line isn’t the only memorable quote – the final line is also well-known. “It is a far, far better thing that I do than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”

• Speaking of impressive lines, “Do anything rather than marry without affection” are the words of Mr. Bennet, the family patriarch in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.” The story of Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s change of heart toward rich and prideful Mr. Darcy was completed when Austen was just 21 years old. She initially called the book First Impressions. After being rejected by a publisher, this novel about young women trying to find good marriage matches sat for the next 14 years, until the success of Sense and Sensibility, the story of the three Dashwood sisters, which was a sensation in 1813. Austen revised First Impressions, changed the title, and it was published when she was 37 years old.

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CLASSIC NOVELS

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• Jane Austen didn’t use her name on her novels, writing “By a Lady” on the flyleaf. Only after her death was her name released to the public by her brother.

• Just how rich was Pride and Prejudice’s Mr. Darcy? The book states his income is 10,000 pounds a year, which, adjusted for inflation, would amount to about $19 million U.S. dollars. This amount didn’t take his fortune and holdings into account.

• Mary Shelley also published her great novel Frankenstein anonymously. She was just 20 when what is considered the first science fiction novel was published in 1818. Shelley conceived the idea from a frightening dream, envisioning that “what terrified me will terrify others.” She began writing the saga the very next day. Because she dedicated the book to her father William Godwin, and her husband Percy Shelley wrote the preface, it was assumed that Percy was the author. This misconception continued for years, even after Frankenstein was reprinted in her name. We’ve all made the mistake of calling the monster in the book “Frankenstein,” but in fact, the monster was unnamed. The young scientist who brought the creature to life was named Victor Frankenstein. Critics were not fond of the novel, bashing it in reviews such as, “What a tissue of horrible and disgusting absurdity this work presents.”

Sweet Indulgence: Chocolate Truffle Torte for Valentine's Day

It's sweets for the sweet on Valentine's Day! Believe it or not, you only need two ingredients to create this rich, decadent chocolate torte. Yes, just two! If you've been following my foodie adventures, you know I love geeking out over food science, and this recipe is no exception. Variations of this cake have been making the rounds online for years, and Valentine's Day felt like the perfect time to give it a whirl. The best part? It's historically wonderfully affordable, all you need are eggs and chocolate. Let's keep our fingers crossed that egg prices won't skyrocket between the time of my writing and you reading this. While some may hesitate at the thought of whipping egg whites into a meringue, let me assure you: If you have a mixer, you can absolutely do this.

Here's why it works: Eggs are amazing. Separating the yolks from the whites allows the yolks to add richness while emulsifying the chocolate. Meanwhile, the whipped egg whites transform into a meringue that provides all the lift and structure this cake needs. The result? It's like a chocolate souffle and a truffle had a baby. And yes, I ate it.

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE TORTE

Yield: 8 servings

Total Time: 45 minutes

10 ounces of good quality chocolate, finely chopped 4 eggs, separated

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line an 8inch springform pan or a round cake pan with parchment paper. Cut a circle for the bottom and a sleeve for the sides. Use cooking spray to keep the paper in place (spray the pan so the paper will stick), but don't spray the paper itself.

Separate the eggs, ensuring no yolks mix into the whites. Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth, and set aside to cool.

Using a hand or stand mixer, whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form. By hand, whisk the egg yolks into the cooled chocolate. It may seize up at first keep whisking, and it will smooth out.

Add one-third of the meringue to the chocolate mixture and whisk it to lighten it. Using a spatula, gently fold in half of the remaining meringue to incorporate and then fold in the rest until just combined.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The cake will puff up like a souffle as it bakes but it will fall as it cools that's exactly what you want!

Once cool, serve as is or dust with powdered sugar. This cake is beautifully paired with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh berries. For an extra flourish, drizzle with warm chocolate ganache or add a scoop of ice cream. It's a showstopper dessert that's deceptively simple to make.

Chocolate Tips

Since chocolate is the star here,

choose wisely. Purchasing the bestquality chocolate you can comfortably afford will make all the difference. I found semi-sweet chocolate to be the perfect balance, though my kids preferred milk chocolate. Feeling adventurous? Try using chocolate bars flavored with orange, raspberry or even chili for a unique twist.

This Valentine's Day, treat yourself and your loved ones to a dessert that's indulgent, effortless and oh-soimpressive. Remember: Thick and dense is fabulous in a cake but maybe not in a Valentine. Once again, choose wisely.

If you love this recipe, you'll adore the weekly inspiration I share in my free newsletter. From budget-friendly meal ideas to clever kitchen tips, there's always something to make your life a little sweeter.

SPORTS STORIES: MAN VS. HORSE MARATHON

We’ve all heard of the Boston Marathon, the New York City Marathon, and the Pike’s Peak Marathon. But how many of us are familiar with the Man versus Horse Marathon? This week, Tidbits heads to the country of Wales to investigate this unusual annual event.

• Every June, the Welsh town of Llanwrtyd Wells hosts the 22-mile (35-km) Man versus Horse Marathon, which pits runners against horseback riders throughout the Welsh countryside over a course of roads, trails, mountainous terrain, and steep hills. Participants wade through streams and boggy marshes and an ascent over 4,500 feet (1,372 m) as they head toward the finish line in the June heat. In the final two miles, they endure a waist-high river crossing.

• The idea for the event surfaced in a local pub in 1980. Two men were squabbling over whether a man could beat a horse in a long-distance race. The owner of the Neuadd Arms overheard the discussion, decided that the premise should be tested, (especially since it would boost his business), and organized the first Man versus Horse Marathon.

• Llanwrtyd Wells, population 600, has its origins as a spa town. In 1732, the local vicar, Reverend Theophilus Evans, who was feeling sickly, discovered waters in the area reputed to have healing properties. After swallowing a mouthful of the boggy water, he was reportedly instantly cured of the scurvy. Hundreds of people journeyed to “test the waters” for affirmation of the medicinal effects, and town of Llanwrtyd sprang up around the waters. (Continued page #7)

F. Scott Fitzgerald modeled his 1925 classic The Great Gatsby after Max Gerlach, a wealthy socialite acquaintance who threw wild an sophisticated parties, as did Jay Gatsby in the novel. The book sold just 20,000 copies in its initial release and was never a bestseller in Fitzgerald’s lifetime. Current sales to 500,000 copies every year.

Owner wants dog in the bedroom at all times, even on Valentine's Day

DEAR PAW'S COR-

NER: My fiance insists on keeping the bedroom door closed, and my dog "Charlie," on the opposite side of it, when we're having sex. But Charlie whines, yelps and scratches the door the entire time we're at it. I think that letting him in won't be an issue, and he'll just curl up at the foot of the bed, but my fiance says it's creepy for the dog to be in the room at the same time. How can I get him to come around? Valentine's Day is almost here, and I don't want our romantic day to be spoiled by a whining dog outside the door.

D.R. in Fort Myers, Florida

DEAR D.R.: So, I'm a pet care columnist, not a relationship expert, but I'll do my best here. Pets are a part of our family, and love being the center of attention, but they do not need to be present at every moment of your life. Furthermore, you're in a relationship with another person, and a healthy relationship includes negotiation and compromise.

I think you can agree that the whining and scratching outside the door annoys both of you.

Instead of arguing about whether he's in or out, place Charlie in another section of your home where he can't hear your, um, Olympian efforts in the bedroom. The living room, the kitchen or a screened-in porch wherever. If he uses a kennel cage, place him in there with a treat and his favorite toys and his binky, and then enjoy your evening.

Wherever you place Charlie, make sure there are no Valentine's chocolates or other goodies from your dinner in the same room. Chocolate, as you know, is poisonous to dogs (and cats).

Send your tips, comments or questions to ask@pawscorner.com.

MAN VS. HORSE MARATHON

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• Runners must be 18 years old to participate, while the horse rider’s minimum age is 16. The horse must be at least five years old. 650 individual runners is the limit, along with another 150 in relay teams. Sixty horses and riders are allowed to take part. And it’s not just “man” against horses – in 1981, Ann King became the first woman to run the race.

• Horses were the winners every year until 2004, when seasoned marathon runner, 27year-old Huw Lobb finally beat all the horses, finishing in 2 hours and 5 minutes, beating the fastest horse by a full two minutes and collecting $45,000 for his efforts. Three years later, man took the title again, with Florien Holtinger, who had trained for the race in the Alps, seizing victory over the fastest horse by less than a minute.

• There was a long 15-year drought for human winners from 2008 until 2022 when a 37year-old firefighter named Rick Lightfoot crossed the finish line two minutes ahead of the fastest horse and rider, with a time of two hours, 22 minutes, and 23 seconds. After becoming just the third human to finish ahead of the horses, he was back at work at 7:30 the next morning.

• In 2023, it was another human victory as Daniel Connolly was crowned the fourth human winner in the 42-year history, beating the fastest horse by nearly 10 minutes. The second place participant was also a human. The title reverted back to the horses in 2024.

• Llanwrtyd Wells isn’t the only community to host a Man versus Horse event. In the U.S., since 1983, Prescott, Arizona, has held the marathon, offering three distances – a 50miler, 25 miles, and a half marathon. Dores, Scotland has its own smaller version of the race, as does North Island, New Zealand.

* When you finish a woodworking project, save your leftover bits of sandpaper and use them to sharpen your scissors. All you need is a piece long enough to make a few cuts through.

* "Plastic grocery bags are handy for so many uses, but keeping them organized was always a pain, until I discovered that I could use an empty tissue box to store them. I just ball up each bag individually (so there is no air trapped) and stuff it in the tissue box. You can do the same thing for larger amounts of bags by using an empty 12-pack box from soda. I store one of these in my shop." Fred C. from Pennsylvania

to save the heavy plastic liners that hold the cereal inside the box. They are really handy when freezing meat patties in stacks. You can use them to separate layers of cookies, too.

* "I just finished packing up my house to move, and this little tip was a dandy: Use a toothpick to keep the open end of your tape from disappearing. When you cut the tape, slip a toothpick at the end that's still on the roll. You will never have to go fishing for it again." L.K. in New Mexico

* "Tired of squirrels on your bird feeders? String a line of 2-liter soda bottles (as many as you like) together, and hang them between two trees, with the feeder in the middle. Works like a charm." C.V. in Maine

* If your kids (or you) like cereal, be sure

My best friend just told me she doesn’t like Lord of the Rings, bust she definitely doesn’t know what she’s Tolkien about.

* If your water takes a minute to warm up, keep a pitcher by the sink. Let the water flow into the pitcher until it gets warm. Then, use that water (that otherwise would have been wasted) on your houseplants and in your garden.