Der Tunnel: Roman

A novel written in the early 20th century. The story opens with a lavish concert at the newly built Madison-Square-Palast in New York, setting a tone that intertwines themes of wealth, ambition, and personal connections. The main character, Mac Allan, a factory owner from Buffalo, is present at the event not for the music but to meet the influential railway magnate Lloyd, indicating that personal and professional ambitions await to unfold in the narrative. At the start of the novel, the concert's opulence is described with vivid detail, capturing the excitement and extravagance of the attendees. Mac Allan, who is accompanied by his wife Maud, is preoccupied with the significance of his upcoming meeting with Lloyd, highlighting his determination and anxiety over a secret project he has devoted years to. Meanwhile, Maud is absorbed by the music, reflecting her appreciation for art, which starkly contrasts with Allan’s business-minded approach. The opening portion introduces various characters, including their friend Hobby, who is an architect, and establishes a complex web of relationships, ambitions, and emotional undercurrents that will likely drive the plot forward.