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“Lady Emma Louders-Allen-Croft, daughter, sister, and aunt of dukes, was ‘into’ as she would say, ‘the working-girl ethos.’ She was employed full time, no favors, in a bustling London department store, where, despite her search for social abasement, she had recently been promoted to bed linen buyer.’’(page four — if offensive — stop now; don’t read review or book)“Emma, blessed with organizational skills above the average, was troubled about her rise, a screw-up one could trace back directly to her own schooling, where she, in an expensive boarding school for highborn young ladies, had been taught in fiery left-wing sociology lessons that brains were elitist and that manuel work was the noble path to heaven.’’This book confronts the Marxist/Socialist doctrine head on. Equality, royalty, ability, aristocracy, privilege, etc., etc., are all examined. Marxism condemned. No question.“Her search for immolation, which had led to years of exhausting years of serving at tables, seemed as to be as strong as ever. She would on no way have starved without employment, but might quite likely have gone to drink or pot.’’(Immolation — from Wikipedia:“Self-immolation is often used as a form of protest or for the purposes of martyrdom. It has centuries-long traditions in some cultures, while in modern times it has become a type of radical political protest. The British sociologist Michael Biggs compiled a list of 533 "self-immolations" reported by Western media using any intentional suicide "on behalf of a collective cause.’’)‘Immolation’ - This is the foundation/basis/theme of this work. ‘Intentional suicide’. As all Francis’ titles do, multiple layers of meaning are included. In fact, if reader misses message, the book did not reach the place (heart and mind) Francis wanted.‘Immolation’ of his girlfriend, British aristocracy, Russian culture, Western civilization, are all implied. ‘Trial Run’ as the title has, at least, two meanings.One, his girlfriend refusing to marry him, even though they have a ‘trial run’ by living together.Two, she giving ‘working class’ life a ‘Trial Run’.Three, Russia deciding to give Marxism a ‘Trial Run’.Four, (maybe) Western civilization giving socialism a ‘Trial Run’.All resulting in ‘self-immolation’!Randell stopped from horse racing since eyeglasses now forbidden . . .‘People have to be protected from themselves,’ she said.‘Why?’She stared: ‘Of course they do.’‘Safety precautious are a growth industry,’ I said with some bitterness.’‘Your in a right tizz, aren’t you?’‘Yes’‘I thought you’d got over it.’‘The first fury may have worn off,’ I said. ‘The resentment will last forever.’Why so bad, why so . . . so . . . demeaning?“So goodbye to twelve years’ fun. Goodbye to endeavor, to speed, to mind-blowing exhilaration. Too bad, too bad about your misery, it’s all for your own good.’’Randell travels to Russia and finds the same idea pushed to its final, logical conclusion. He detests, hates, rejects, abhors it. The selfish, destructive, enervating impact of Marxism vividly drawn.Chilling.Nevertheless, Francis clearly outlines the distinction between Marxism and Russia. He finds and befriends Russian individuals who reject, resist and overcome the ideological pressure. Great!This work a little darker, a little more serious, a little deeper story than Francis’ usual. Still, the characters come off the page as always. Story interesting and captivating. Francis presenting a different world, an alternate mental experience.Many more psychological, even metaphysical issues than common.I liked it.