This Publican
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1937 |
This Publican—known in the United States as The Devil in Satin—is a 1938 work of fiction authored by the English writer Dornford Yates (Cecil William Mercer). Initially, it appeared in serialized form under the title She Knew Not Mercy within Woman's Journal from November 1937 through March 1938, accompanied by illustrations created by Forster.
Plot
The narrative centers on Rowena, who weds the unsuspecting barrister David Bohun and subjects him to mistreatment. Ultimately, it is uncovered that she is a deceitful figure and murderer, manipulating Bohun to serve her own ambitions.
Background
According to Mercer’s biographer AJ Smithers (1982), assertions that the novel served as a veiled retaliation against Mercer’s first wife were unfounded due to lack of likeness and differing situations. Yates himself explained that the character of Rowena was derived from the most negative attributes of three women he had encountered.
Critical reception
Although Mercer held this novel in high esteem, it failed to garner widespread enthusiasm among readers at the time of its release.