Fabulous works
The fable tradition in the family stretches back at least to the early tenth century BCE, when the practice of writing allegorical stories for the education of heirs became, in the Mallard household, something rather more pointed than education.
These texts were written by parents for children, by siblings for siblings, and in two cases by the family's legal counsel—who understood the genre's utility.
The morals, where they exist, are Mallard morals: they tend toward the pragmatic, occasionally toward the ruthless, and in the finest examples toward a wisdom that is neither comfortable nor easily dismissed. They are not to be shared with children outside the family.
Vol. ♾️—The Little Book of Fitzartur Foibles
Anonymously compiled
The Mallard family’s unconventional family Bible, chronicling their history and offering guidance on behaviour. Unlike a traditional Bible, it is filled with obscure allusions, family jokes, and improbable tales of encounters with historical figures. The book serves as a labyrinthine guide to the Mallard legacy, challenging readers to decipher its meaning with several keys hidden within its pages.
Vol. II—The Mallard Book of Days
The real "Mad Hatter" story
An English day viewed through two significant events: an 1832 ball at the Duke’s estate and the Mallard family’s traditional 1850 Centenary Celebrations. These documents, preserved in trunks at Mallard House, reveal the changing social dynamics and self-perceptions of the aristocracy and bourgeoisie during these periods.
Vol. M—Ghosts of Grace
Ever Ambiguous
The Mallard Papers, discovered after the demolition of the Mallard family estate, contain documents and transcripts of communications with the family ghost. The ghost, claiming to be a “loyal remainder,” communicated through a psychic, providing insights into the family’s history and motto, “Semper Anceps” (“Ever Ambiguous”). The author explores the ghost’s origins, considering whether it was a genuine spirit, a servant’s creation, or a manifestation of the family’s duplicity.
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