Interference: A Novel, Vol. 1 (of 3)

A fiction novel written in the late 19th century. Set against the backdrop of Ballingoole, a once-glorious town in Ireland, the story delves into the lives of its inhabitants, focusing on characters like the eccentric Miss Dopping and the ambitious Mrs. Redmond, who is desperately trying to secure a prosperous future for her daughter Isabel. The narrative hints at themes of societal change, lost grandeur, and the complications of relationships in a shifting cultural landscape. At the start of the novel, Ballingoole is depicted as a town steeped in faded charm, where the once-vibrant social life has dwindled significantly. We meet Miss Dopping, a proud but eccentric old lady, who traverses the town on a soft November afternoon. Meanwhile, Mrs. Redmond obsessively seeks an advantageous match for her daughter Isabel, a beautiful but somewhat vain woman, navigating the complexities of their social standing. As their interactions unfold, there are hints of various local intrigues and gossip about recent developments, including the return of a man named Holroyd from India, who appears destined to stir up further complications in the already tense dynamics at play.