The Hundredth Chance

The Hundredth Chance is a 1917 romance novel by British author Ethel M. Dell that became one of the top bestselling books of the 1910s in America. The story focuses on the complex relationships between characters in rural England during the early 20th century. The novel gained such popularity that it was adapted into both a stage play by Dell herself in 1927 and a silent film in 1920 by Stoll Pictures. The film version was directed by Maurice Elvey and starred Dennis Neilson-Terry, Mary Glynne, and Eille Norwood. The book explores themes of social class, personal sacrifice, and the nature of love in early 20th century British society. Its enduring appeal led to its inclusion among Dell's most successful works and helped establish her reputation as a prominent romance novelist of the era.

Readers describe The Hundredth Chance as a melodramatic romance with predictable plot elements common to Dell's other works. Most reviews come from period newspaper archives and vintage book collectors rather than modern readers. Positive comments focus on: - Strong emotional resonance - Fast-moving plot - Clear, uncomplicated writing style Common criticisms include: - Formulaic story structure - One-dimensional characters - Dated social attitudes Available ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (based on only 15 ratings) No Amazon ratings available A 1920 review in The Spectator noted: "Miss Dell knows how to tell a story with verve and spirit, even if her characters remain rather conventional." Limited modern discussion exists online. Most vintage reviews position it as a typical example of Dell's romantic fiction output rather than one of her standout works.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë The Gothic romance between a governess and her employer charts class differences and complex relationships in Victorian England.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier This tale of marriage, mystery and social dynamics at a grand English estate mirrors the themes of class and romance in rural Britain.

The Shuttle by Frances Hodgson Burnett The story examines British-American marriage alliances and class relationships in the early 1900s English countryside.

The Making of a Marchioness by Frances Hodgson Burnett A poor woman's elevation through marriage explores social mobility and romance in Edwardian England.

The Greater Love by Alexander Cordell Set in rural Wales, this romance navigates social barriers and personal sacrifice in early 20th century Britain.

🌟 The novel sold over 1,000,000 copies in its initial release, making Dell one of the highest-earning authors of her time 🎭 Despite her massive commercial success, Dell was notoriously private and rarely gave interviews or appeared in public 🐎 The book's detailed descriptions of horse training and stable life were drawn from Dell's own experiences growing up near racing stables in Essex 📚 Literary critics often dismissed Dell's work as "women's fiction," yet her novels consistently outsold many of her more "serious" contemporaries 🎬 The 1920 silent film adaptation starred Mary Glynne and Teddy Arundell, and was one of the first British romance novels to be adapted for cinema