The Duchess and the Jeweller

In the glittering world of high society, everything has a price.

In this sharp and witty short story, Virginia Woolf explores the intersecting lives of Oliver Bacon, London's most successful jeweller, and a titled but financially troubled Duchess. When the Duchess offers Oliver a chance to buy a set of pearls—along with entry into her aristocratic circle—desire, pride, and ambition collide.

Through keen psychological insight and elegant prose, Woolf examines themes of class, materialism, and the seductive pull of social status. Both satirical and poignant, The Duchess and the Jeweller reveals the subtle power plays and vulnerabilities hidden beneath wealth and refinement.

"A masterclass in character study and social commentary."

– The Times Literary Supplement

"Woolf distills an entire world of ambition and pretense into a brief, brilliant narrative."

– The Guardian

Why Readers Love It:

A concise yet layered exploration of greed, charm, and self-deception

Offers a vivid snapshot of 20th-century British high society

Perfect for fans of Woolf's sharp observational style

Click 'Buy Now' to enjoy Virginia Woolf's glittering and incisive portrait of ambition, vanity, and the games people play.