The Disturbing Charm

The Disturbing Charm (1919) is a romance novel by Berta Ruck. After a decade of publishing stories in literary magazines, Ruck began releasing romance novels to popular acclaim. The Disturbing Charm is a satirical tale of love, fantasy, and modern life that continues to entertain over a century after it was written. “Half the trouble in that world arises from the fact that human beings are continually falling in Love ... with the wrong people.” While cleaning her uncle’s office, Olwen Howel-Jones, a young Welsh beauty, discovers this message written on a mysterious note. Investigating further, she finds instructions for the use of a powerful charm, which must remain hidden in order to work. When used, it renders the wearer irresistibly attractive, allowing them to bend the will of whomever they wish to romance. Unable to resist such a promise, Olwen secretly removes the charm from her uncle’s desk. As she goes about her daily life, she soon discovers that although the charm truly works, to be the constant object of anyone and everyone’s affections is a tiresome way to live. The Disturbing Charm is a comedy of social life and romance from one of the twentieth century’s most prolific authors. This edition of Berta Ruck’s The Disturbing Charm is a classic of British romance literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Betra Ruck (1878-1978) was a British romance novelist. Born in Punjab, British India, she was raised in a family of eight children. After moving with her parents to Bangor, Wales, Ruck completed her education and embarked on a career as a professional writer. She began submitting stories to magazines in 1905, publishing her first novel, His Official Fiancée, in 1914. Adapted twice for the cinema, her debut began her run as a bestselling romance writer, spanning nearly 60 years and dozens of novels. In 1909, she married fellow writer Oliver Onions, with whom she had two sons. Ruck published her final work in 1972 and lived to the age of 100.