Collins, Wilkie: The Fallen Leaves, v.1 18 Dec 2007.
 

First published in 1879.


Amelius Goldenheart is a naïve young American, who has been expelled from a utopian Christian socialist community in the States. Arriving in Britain, he meets a lot of people who are ‘fallen leaves’: those who strive after happiness and reap only disappointment.
Naturally this innocent but well-meaning young man gets into a series of complications while trying to help the ‘fallen leaves’; thus allowing Collins to build up suspense ( --will anyone end up happy?) and develop a social commentary.