The Passing Of The Third Floor Back by Claude Houghton

My favorite novels have the theme of transformation, and this novelization of Jerome K. Jerome's famous story is one of the best. Thirty years after Jerome, Claude Houghton turned that material into a full novel, retaining the delightful characters, the mystery, and above all, the engaging writing.

A stranger searches the streets of London. A traveled observer could not have guessed his nationality; he looks familiar, like a friend from the past.

Mrs. Sharpe's boarding house is shabbily genteel with an atmosphere of strife. A miserly widow, she pinches every penny and wars with guests incapable of paying.

Major Tomkins and his wife owe £50 and will be thrown out unless they marry their young daughter Vivianne off to Mr. Wright of the second floor. Of course, Vivianne is in love with Christopher, the handsome artist who rents the attic, but he cannot support them. Mr. Samuels is a crooked businessman who would like to sell Mr. Wright a packet of dud shares, aided by Mr. Lancomb. Miss Kite spends her time applying makeup, hoping to be perceived a radiant beauty; and pretentious Mrs. de Hooley asserts she is from aristocracy - if you do not see it, she will certainly tell you. The stranger answers the 'Room For Rent' sign and takes the bare room on the third floor back, but Mrs. Sharpe cannot bring herself to charge more than acceptable rent, even when the stranger offers. He must have nothing, or he wouldn't be in this rundown place.

Meeting the guests, he seldom asks questions, but his calm expression compels you to speak—not the lies you tell your friends, but your most private thoughts. Hiding from life has made them and others miserable, and begin to feel alive for the first time in years. By simply accepting people, the bravado built up as protection from society falls, and remarkable changes follow. Who was this man?

This simple concept of treating everyone with respect gives him an angelic quality, used to varing degrees in each iteration - in this version quite ethereal. Unfortunately, each profiles Mr. Samuels a podgy Jew with 'india-rubber skin', although he turns out to be the hero of them all. And as usual of the time, at age 47 you are considered a wizened old spinster.

Jerome K. Jerome's story is a favourite, and with no guarentee this author would do it justice, I found this the best version of all. The short story was written in 1907, the play in 1908, there was a silent film in 1918, and a film starring Conrad Veidt in 1935 where they all took a boat trip (available on Youtube).

This novel will be harder to find, but you can read the original story by Jerome K. Jerome is available as an eBook - free on many sites.

1935 / Paperback / 252 pages

Jerome K. Jerome's original story free download:

The Passing Of The Third Floor Back

My original review of Jerome K. Jerome:

The Passing of the Third Floor Back