Vanity Fair. A Novel Without A Hero. by William Makepeace Thackeray; With Illustrations by the Author.

Set in 1848, this satirical epic explores the lives of two young women, Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley, as they navigate the complexities of love and society after leaving Miss Pinkerton's Academy. The narrative unfolds in Vanity Fair, where the ambitious and morally ambiguous Becky contrasts with the gentle Amelia. Their journey is filled with elopements, betrayals, and the rise and fall of fortunes, featuring a diverse cast of characters that embody the struggles of both military and domestic life.