New Arabian Nights - Robert Louis Stevenson

Summary

"New Arabian Nights" is a collection of short stories by Robert Louis Stevenson, first published in 1882. The collection is primarily divided into two main series: "The Suicide Club" and "The Rajah's Diamond," followed by several standalone tales. The stories are characterized by their episodic structure, intricate plots, and a blend of adventure, mystery, and a touch of the macabre, echoing the exotic and fantastical spirit of "One Thousand and One Nights."

"The Suicide Club" introduces Prince Florizel of Bohemia, who, bored with his royal life, ventures incognito into London's underworld with his aide, Colonel Geraldine. They stumble upon a secret society where members gamble with their lives, determining who will be the victim and who the assassin. Florizel, through wit and daring, infiltrates the club, exposes its sinister operations, and ultimately brings down its president, a devious individual known as the "President."

"The Rajah's Diamond" follows the journey of a magnificent and cursed diamond through a series of unusual and often comedic misadventures, linking together various characters from different social strata, all drawn by the allure and danger of the jewel. The diamond passes through the hands of a wealthy American, a senior partner of a respectable firm, a countess, and ultimately back to Prince Florizel, who ensures its destruction to end its malevolent influence.

The standalone stories, such as "The Pavilion on the Links," "A Lodging for the Night," "The Sire de Malétroit's Door," and "Providence and the Guitar," further showcase Stevenson's mastery of atmosphere, suspense, and character, often exploring themes of fate, honor, and the unexpected twists of human existence.

Book Sections

Section: The Story of the Young Man with the Cream Tarts (The Suicide Club Part 1)

Prince Florizel of Bohemia, bored with his royal duties, frequently travels incognito with his aide, Colonel Geraldine, seeking adventure. One night in London, they encounter a peculiar young man offering cream tarts for sale in a posh neighborhood. Curious, they follow him and learn he has just lost a significant sum of money and plans to spend his last shilling on a final indulgence. The young man, Malthus, confesses he's a member of "The Suicide Club," a secret society where members, weary of life, draw cards to determine who will be killed and who will be the killer. Florizel, intrigued and horrified, infiltrates the club, posing as a desperate man. He draws the card of the victim, while a wealthy, cynical old man draws the card of the assassin. Florizel, with Geraldine's help, manages to escape his fate by orchestrating a confrontation at the club's next meeting.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Prince Florizel	Disguised, adventurous, benevolent, moral	To seek excitement, uphold justice, combat vice, experience life outside royalty
Colonel Geraldine	Loyal, discreet, resourceful, aide-de-camp	To serve and protect Prince Florizel, assist in his investigations
Malthus	Despondent, unlucky, easily influenced	To escape his financial woes and ennui, seeking an end to his life
The President	Sinister, manipulative, intelligent, mysterious	To control and profit from the lives of others, for personal gratification

Section: The Story of the Physician and the Saratoga Trunk (The Suicide Club Part 2)

Following the events of the first story, Prince Florizel and Colonel Geraldine continue their pursuit of the Suicide Club's president. They receive a message from a Dr. Noel, a physician who was present at the club and is now deeply disturbed by its activities. Dr. Noel has inadvertently become entangled in a murder plot initiated by the President. He was hired to dispose of a body in a Saratoga trunk, only to discover it's the body of a man he previously saw at the Suicide Club. The President, attempting to frame Dr. Noel, involves him in a complex scheme. Florizel intervenes, uncovering the President's machinations and eventually cornering him. The story culminates in a dramatic chase and a duel, where Florizel ensures the President meets his own "fate" by forcing him to draw the fatal card in a final, grim game against another desperate man. The President is then killed by the club's own rules in a remote location in Germany, orchestrated by Florizel.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Dr. Noel	Respected physician, easily manipulated, fearful	To maintain his reputation, escape the entanglement with the Suicide Club and the President
The President	(Same as above)	(Same as above)

Section: The Adventure of the Hansom Cabs (The Suicide Club Part 3)

With the President of the Suicide Club presumably dead, Prince Florizel and Colonel Geraldine believe their adventure with the club is over. However, they soon encounter a series of peculiar events involving identical hansom cabs that seem to be tracking them. These cabs are linked to a network of individuals who were once associated with the Suicide Club, now seeking revenge or perhaps a new leader. They find themselves in a strange and dangerous scavenger hunt across London, orchestrated by a mysterious figure known as the 'new President'. The story describes a complex web of deceit and assassination attempts. Florizel, ever vigilant, uncovers that the original President had an elaborate contingency plan or a successor. Ultimately, Florizel and Geraldine, through their resourcefulness, manage to dismantle the remaining elements of the club, ensuring its complete eradication and putting an end to its chilling operations.

(No new main characters; the antagonists are the remnants or successors of the Suicide Club, effectively extensions of the President's influence.)

Section: The Story of the Young Man in Holy Orders (The Rajah's Diamond Part 1)

Francis Scuddamore, an American in Paris, is desperately in love with a young woman, Mademoiselle Vandeleur. She demands he prove his worth by acquiring the legendary Rajah's Diamond, a jewel known for bringing misfortune, which is currently in the possession of her uncle, a wealthy American named Silas Q. Scuddamore. Francis, despite being a distant relative, is disinherited. In a twist of fate, he encounters a seemingly devout young man in holy orders, who is actually a disguised thief named Mr. Godall. Godall has stolen the diamond from Silas Q. Scuddamore, mistaking a dummy for the real thing, and then the real diamond, leading to a series of comedic blunders. Francis, by sheer luck and misunderstanding, ends up with the diamond in his possession, but its cursed nature immediately begins to affect him.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Francis Scuddamore	Young American, lovesick, initially naive, unlucky	To win the hand of Mademoiselle Vandeleur, prove his worth
Mademoiselle Vandeleur	Beautiful, demanding, worldly	To acquire the Rajah's Diamond, secure her future and social standing
Silas Q. Scuddamore	Wealthy American, possessive, somewhat eccentric	To keep the Rajah's Diamond, maintain his reputation and wealth
Mr. Godall	Thief in disguise, cunning but prone to errors	To steal the Rajah's Diamond for financial gain

Section: Story of the Senior Partner (The Rajah's Diamond Part 2)

The Rajah's Diamond, having been passed on from Francis Scuddamore in a bizarre turn of events, now falls into the hands of a respected senior partner of a London financial firm, Mr. Harry Hartley. Hartley is a seemingly upright and dull man, but he harbors a secret desire for excitement and illicit thrills. He acquires the diamond through an anonymous donation to his firm, which he decides to keep for himself. He attempts to sell it, but its notoriety makes it difficult. Hartley tries to have a replica made and pawn the real one, but a series of misadventures leads him to a strange assignation with a mysterious woman, Mademoiselle Vandeleur, who attempts to steal the diamond from him. His attempts to dispose of or profit from the diamond only lead to further complications, drawing him deeper into a world of crime and deception, far removed from his respectable life.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Mr. Harry Hartley	Respectable but secretly adventurous, covetous	To possess the Rajah's Diamond for its value, to experience excitement outside his mundane life
Mademoiselle Vandeleur	(Same as above)	(Same as above)

Section: Story of the Countess von Strelitz (The Rajah's Diamond Part 3)

The Rajah's Diamond, after its escapades with Mr. Hartley, comes into the possession of the Countess von Strelitz. The Countess is a beautiful, ambitious woman, involved in high society and clandestine dealings. She receives the diamond as a gift from a wealthy admirer, General Vandeleur, a relative of Mademoiselle Vandeleur. The Countess, however, is a part of a wider criminal network and plans to use the diamond as a means of exchange or a tool for leverage in her schemes. She hosts a lavish party where she plans to display the diamond, attracting the attention of various characters, including Prince Florizel (who reappears from "The Suicide Club"). The diamond continues its pattern of creating chaos and suspicion, embroiling the Countess in a complicated plot involving theft, mistaken identities, and double-crosses within her social circle.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Countess von Strelitz	Beautiful, ambitious, cunning, socially prominent	To gain wealth and influence, to manipulate others for her own ends
General Vandeleur	Wealthy, admirer of the Countess, connected	To impress the Countess, to engage in social and perhaps illicit dealings
Prince Florizel	(Same as above)	(Same as above)
Colonel Geraldine	(Same as above)	(Same as above)

Section: The Adventure of the Prince of Bohemia (The Rajah's Diamond Part 4)

In the final part of "The Rajah's Diamond," Prince Florizel becomes directly involved in the fate of the cursed jewel. He attends the Countess von Strelitz's party and witnesses the diamond's disruptive effect. He encounters several characters from the previous stories, all circling the diamond. Florizel, along with Colonel Geraldine, takes it upon himself to resolve the diamond's malign influence. He stages a dramatic intervention, exposing the various schemers and reclaiming the diamond. Realizing the immense trouble and misfortune the diamond has caused, Florizel decides that its continued existence is a danger to all. He arranges for the diamond to be pulverized and scattered into the Thames, thus ending its long and troubled journey and releasing all involved from its curse.

(No new main characters; this section brings together existing characters and concludes the diamond's narrative arc.)

Section: The Pavilion on the Links

This is a longer novella within the collection. It tells the story of an unreliable narrator, Frank Cassilis, who recounts a strange and dangerous adventure he shared with his friend, Northmour, at a remote pavilion on a Scottish link (golf course). Northmour is a reclusive, cynical, and violent man. They are visited by a mysterious yacht carrying a beautiful Italian woman, Clara Haddo, and her elderly father, Bernard Haddo. It is revealed that Haddo is a former Italian Carbonaro, a member of a secret revolutionary society, who has betrayed his comrades. The society has sent assassins to eliminate him. Cassilis and Northmour find themselves embroiled in a deadly siege as they try to protect Clara and her father from the approaching killers. The narrative is filled with suspense, moral dilemmas, and the brutal realities of loyalty, betrayal, and violence.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Frank Cassilis	Narrator, observant, somewhat passive, loyal to Northmour	To assist his friend, understand the unfolding mystery, survive the conflict
Northmour	Reclusive, cynical, violent, honorable, possessive	To protect his home and those he cares about, defy authority, prove his strength
Clara Haddo	Beautiful, vulnerable, principled, loyal to her father	To protect her father, survive the assassination attempt
Bernard Haddo	Elderly, former revolutionary, traitor, fearful	To escape his past, protect his daughter, find refuge

Section: A Lodging for the Night

This short story is set in Paris, 1456, and features the historical poet and rogue François Villon. Villon and his companions are carousing in a tavern when a fight breaks out, resulting in the death of a member of the provost's guard. Villon flees, seeking refuge for the night. He stumbles into the house of a wealthy and principled nobleman, Sire de Malétroit, who, despite recognizing Villon as a notorious criminal, offers him shelter out of a sense of honor and perhaps a cynical curiosity. The two men engage in a fascinating philosophical discussion about life, death, honor, and crime, revealing their contrasting worldviews. Villon, for all his roguishness, displays a surprising depth of thought and a clear understanding of his own desperate situation, while the Sire de Malétroit remains steadfast in his aristocratic morality. Villon eventually leaves in the morning, having gained a brief respite and a memorable conversation.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
François Villon	Poet, rogue, cynical, intelligent, desperate	To escape the law, find shelter, survive, express his worldview
Sire de Malétroit	Nobleman, honorable, philosophical, somewhat cynical	To uphold his aristocratic principles, indulge intellectual curiosity, observe human nature

Section: The Sire de Malétroit's Door

Set in 1429 France, this story follows Denis de Beaulieu, a young gentleman who, fleeing from soldiers, takes refuge in an open door in a dark street. He finds himself trapped inside the house of the formidable Sire de Malétroit. The Sire informs Denis that, due to a mix-up involving a previous clandestine rendezvous, Denis is now expected to marry the Sire's niece, Blanche, or face death. Blanche is a beautiful young woman who was expecting another man, her true love. Denis, initially appalled, is captivated by Blanche's beauty and her plight. He and Blanche have a tense conversation, both finding themselves in an impossible situation dictated by honor and circumstance. Ultimately, Denis, moved by Blanche's despair and his own growing admiration for her, pledges to marry her, hoping to resolve the impossible situation honorably. The story ends with a glimmer of hope for a potential love born out of an arranged marriage under duress.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Denis de Beaulieu	Young gentleman, resourceful, romantic, honorable	To escape danger, uphold his honor, find love, survive the predicament
Blanche de Malétroit	Beautiful, proud, distressed, deeply unhappy	To escape a forced marriage, find her true love, maintain her dignity
Sire de Malétroit	Elderly, stern, unyielding, obsessed with honor	To uphold his family's honor, enforce his will, ensure his niece's marriage

Section: Providence and the Guitar

This story introduces a struggling French musician couple, Leon Berthelini (a guitarist and singer) and his wife, Louise. They are on a provincial tour, constantly facing poverty and artistic disappointment, but they maintain a cheerful, loving spirit. One evening, after a particularly disheartening performance and a meager meal, they are offered unexpected hospitality by an elderly, seemingly kind but eccentric English gentleman, Mr. Nicholson. Mr. Nicholson, however, turns out to be a patron of the arts with an unusual and somewhat overbearing way of "helping" artists, including a habit of commissioning new works which he doesn't truly appreciate. The Berthelinis, while grateful for the temporary comfort, find themselves stifled by Mr. Nicholson's well-meaning but suffocating patronage. The story is a tender portrayal of artistic struggle, marital affection, and the clash between artistic integrity and the compromises necessitated by survival. They eventually escape Mr. Nicholson's generosity, preferring their honest poverty and freedom to his gilded cage.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Leon Berthelini	Guitarist, singer, cheerful, resilient, artistic	To make a living through his music, maintain his love for his wife and art
Louise Berthelini	Singer, loving, supportive, practical	To support her husband, survive their struggles, maintain their happiness
Mr. Nicholson	Eccentric English gentleman, well-meaning, patronizing	To support artists (in his own way), indulge his tastes, assert his benevolence

Literary Genre

• Adventure Fiction: Many stories feature journeys, quests, and dangerous encounters.
• Mystery Fiction: Particularly in "The Suicide Club" and "The Rajah's Diamond," there are elements of detection, secret societies, and intricate plots.
• Crime Fiction: The collection delves into the underworld, theft, and murder.
• Gothic Fiction: Elements of the macabre, suspense, and psychological tension are present, especially in "The Pavilion on the Links."
• Short Story Collection: The primary format of the book.

Author Facts

• Full Name: Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson (1850–1894).
• Nationality: Scottish.
• Early Life: Born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland. He initially studied engineering and then law, but pursued writing instead.
• Health: Suffered from chronic lung disease (likely tuberculosis) throughout much of his life, which led him to seek warmer climates.
• Travels: His travels greatly influenced his writing. He lived in France, America, and ultimately settled in Samoa in the South Pacific, where he died.
• Notable Works: Besides "New Arabian Nights," he is famous for "Treasure Island," "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," and "Kidnapped."
• Style: Known for his vivid imagination, elegant prose, and mastery of adventure and psychological suspense.
• Legacy: Remains a highly influential figure in English literature, celebrated for his storytelling prowess and ability to craft compelling narratives for both adults and young readers.

Moral of the Book

The stories in "New Arabian Nights" do not offer a single, overarching moral but rather explore several themes:

• The Allure and Danger of Adventure: The book suggests that while seeking excitement can be thrilling, it often leads to unforeseen dangers and moral compromises. Prince Florizel's adventures highlight the thin line between curiosity and recklessness.
• The Destructive Nature of Greed: "The Rajah's Diamond" vividly illustrates how the pursuit of wealth, particularly through ill-gotten gains, brings nothing but misfortune, corruption, and a cycle of criminality.
• The Complexity of Human Nature: Characters often harbor hidden depths or desires that contradict their outward appearance. Seemingly respectable individuals can be drawn to vice, while rogues can possess surprising honor.
• Fate vs. Free Will: Many characters find themselves caught in circumstances beyond their control, often with life-or-death consequences, raising questions about destiny and the choices individuals make within those constraints.
• The Search for Meaning: Boredom and ennui drive many characters, particularly in "The Suicide Club," to extreme lengths in search of meaning or an escape from a mundane existence, often with tragic results.

Overall, the collection serves as a cautionary tale against unchecked desires and a celebration of human ingenuity and resilience in the face of extraordinary circumstances.

Curiosities of the Book

• Origin of the Title: The title "New Arabian Nights" directly references the classic collection of Middle Eastern folk tales, "One Thousand and One Nights" (or "Arabian Nights"), implying a similar structure of interconnected stories, exotic settings (even if in London), and fantastical elements, though set in a more contemporary, Victorian context.
• First Appearance: The stories were initially published in various magazines, notably London magazine, before being collected into a single volume in 1882. "The Suicide Club" and "The Rajah's Diamond" were serialized in 1878.
• Influence on Detective Fiction: "The Suicide Club" is considered an early and influential example of detective or crime fiction, with its focus on a mysterious organization and a protagonist (Prince Florizel) who acts as an amateur sleuth. Some critics see parallels to later Sherlock Holmes stories.
• The Figure of Prince Florizel: Prince Florizel is one of Stevenson's most memorable characters, an aristocratic adventurer who embodies a romanticized ideal of justice and daring. His character adds a unique flavor to the often dark and cynical world of the stories.
• Psychological Depth: Despite their adventure-driven plots, many stories delve into the psychological states of characters, exploring motivations like despair, greed, and the human capacity for self-destruction, foreshadowing the psychological complexity found in "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."
• Film Adaptations: Several stories from "New Arabian Nights" have been adapted for film and television over the years, a testament to their enduring appeal and cinematic qualities.
• Stevenson's Health and Imagination: Stevenson's chronic illness often confined him, yet he produced incredibly vivid and adventurous tales. "New Arabian Nights" showcases his ability to create richly detailed worlds and thrilling plots from the confines of his sickbed, demonstrating the power of imagination.