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crisp 歯切れのいい
brashness がむしゃら、生意気、(Edo brasshness べらんめえ)

spark a boom 人気に火を付ける

His familiarity with Chinese classical literature sparked his thought of becoming a writer.

at pains to 骨を折る、〜しようと苦心する

It is ironic that the son whom the family had been at such pains to dispose of should be the one who turned out most fit to inherit the familiy name.

die young of consumption　若死にする
article of consumption 消耗品

furious study 猛烈な勉強

misanthropic 厭世的な

The profound, misanthropic depression he sank into after her death was brought on by a combined sense of loss and guilt.