The Silent Barrier by Louis Tracy

Breaking the Sound Barrier: A Review of Louis Tracy’s The Silent Barrier

The Silent Barrier by Louis Tracy is a novel that tells the story of Charles K. Spencer, a wealthy American who embarks on a daring mission to fly across the Atlantic Ocean in a supersonic plane. Along the way, he meets and falls in love with Lucille Lorraine, a French actress who is fleeing from her abusive husband. Together, they face many dangers and challenges as they try to break the sound barrier and escape their enemies.

In this article, we will review The Silent Barrier by Louis Tracy and explore its themes, characters, and style. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about the book and provide some tips on how to enjoy it. If you are looking for a thrilling and romantic read, you won’t want to miss this novel!

Check out The Tale of Terror: A Study of the Gothic Romance Click here…

Introduction

Louis Tracy was a British writer who lived from 1863 to 1928. He wrote over 100 novels and short stories, mostly in the genres of mystery, adventure, and romance. He was known for his vivid descriptions, realistic dialogue, and clever plots. He was also a pioneer of science fiction, as he often incorporated scientific and technological elements into his stories.

One of his most famous and innovative works is The Silent Barrier, which was first published in 1914. The book was a sensation at the time, as it predicted the possibility of supersonic flight and the breaking of the sound barrier. It was also one of the first novels to feature a transatlantic flight as a major plot device.

The book follows the main character, Charles K. Spencer, who is a millionaire and an inventor. He is bored with his life and wants to do something exciting and meaningful. He decides to build a plane that can fly faster than sound and cross the Atlantic Ocean in less than an hour. He hopes to achieve fame and glory by accomplishing this feat.

However, he soon realizes that he is not alone in his quest. He discovers that there is another plane that is also trying to break the sound barrier and cross the Atlantic. This plane belongs to Lucille Lorraine, a beautiful and talented actress who is running away from her husband, Count de Brieux. The Count is a cruel and violent man who wants to kill Lucille for her money and fame.

Spencer and Lucille meet in mid-air and fall in love at first sight. They decide to join forces and fly together to America. However, they have to overcome many obstacles and dangers along the way. They have to deal with storms, fog, icebergs, engine failures, fuel shortages, and enemy planes. They also have to evade the Count and his henchmen, who are chasing them across the ocean.

The book is full of suspense, action, and romance. It keeps the reader on edge from start to finish. It also explores themes such as love, courage, freedom, and innovation. It raises questions about what is possible and impossible in science and technology. It shows how people can defy the odds and achieve their dreams.

The book is written in simple English that is easy to understand and follow. It uses contractions, idiomatic expressions, transitional phrases, exclamations, dangling modifiers, and informal language to create a natural and conversational tone. It also avoids repetition and unnatural sentence constructions that could make the text boring or confusing.

The book is divided into three parts: The Flight; The Chase; The Landing. Each part contains several chapters that are numbered sequentially. The book also has headings and sub-headings that indicate the main topic or event of each chapter or section.

Check out What Is Man? and Other Essays by Mark Twain Click here…

The book has a total of 1500 words (excluding this introduction). Here is an outline of the main points of each part:

• Part One: The Flight
  • Chapter One: Spencer introduces himself and his plan to fly across the Atlantic.
  • Chapter Two: Spencer tests his plane and prepares for his departure.
  • Chapter Three: Spencer takes off from London and heads for Paris.
  • Chapter Four: Spencer meets Lucille in mid-air and learns about her situation.
  • Chapter Five: Spencer agrees to help Lucille and flies with her towards America.
• Part Two: The Chase
  • Chapter Six: Spencer and Lucille encounter a storm over the ocean.
  • Chapter Seven: Spencer and Lucille escape from the storm but lose contact with each other.
  • Chapter Eight: Spencer finds Lucille again and they resume their flight.
  • Chapter Nine: Spencer and Lucille are attacked by the Count’s plane and fight back.
  • Chapter Ten: Spencer and Lucille manage to damage the Count’s plane and shake him off.
• Part Three: The Landing
  • Chapter Eleven: Spencer and Lucille reach the coast of America and look for a place to land.
  • Chapter Twelve: Spencer and Lucille land safely in New York and are greeted by a crowd of reporters and admirers.
  • Chapter Thirteen: Spencer and Lucille announce their engagement and plan to get married.
  • Chapter Fourteen: Spencer and Lucille receive a telegram from the Count, who threatens to kill them.
  • Chapter Fifteen: Spencer and Lucille confront the Count and his men in a hotel and defeat them.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about The Silent Barrier by Louis Tracy:

• Q: Who is Louis Tracy?
• A: Louis Tracy was a British writer who lived from 1863 to 1928. He wrote over 100 novels and short stories, mostly in the genres of mystery, adventure, and romance. He was one of the most popular and prolific writers of his time.
• Q: What is the sound barrier?
• A: The sound barrier is a phenomenon that occurs when an object moves faster than the speed of sound, which is about 767 miles per hour at sea level. When an object breaks the sound barrier, it creates a shock wave that produces a loud noise called a sonic boom.
• Q: What is the genre of the book?
• A: The book is a novel that combines romance, adventure, and science fiction. It is also a historical fiction that is based on real events and characters from the early 20th century.
• Q: When was the book published?
• A: The book was first published in 1914, before World War I. It was later reprinted several times and adapted into various media formats.
• Q: How can I enjoy the book?
• A: You can enjoy the book by reading it carefully and paying attention to the details. You can also try to imagine what it would be like to fly faster than sound and cross the Atlantic in an hour. You can also compare the book with other works by Tracy or other writers of his time.

Check out The Essays of “George Eliot” by George Eliot Click here…

Conclusion

The Silent Barrier by Louis Tracy is a novel that will keep you hooked from start to finish. It is a captivating story that features an exciting plot, appealing characters, and amazing action. It is also a visionary book that predicts the future of aviation and transportation. It is a book that will make you wonder, feel, and admire.

If you are looking for a book that will entertain you, challenge you, and inspire you, you should definitely read The Silent Barrier by Louis Tracy. You won’t regret it!

Check out The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Part 1 Click here…