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In this classic 1888 novella, an anonymous narrator relates his obsessive quest to acquire some letters and other private documents that once belonged to the deceased Romantic poet Jeffrey Aspern. Attempting to gain access to the papers, the property of Aspern's former mistress, he rents a room in a decaying Venetian villa where the woman lives with her aging niece. Led by his zeal into increasingly unscrupulous behavior, the narrator is faced in the end with relinquishing his heart's desire or attaining it an an overwhelming price. Inspired by an actual incident involving Claire Clairmont, once the mistress of Lord Byron, this masterfully written tale incorporates all those elements expected from James: psychological subtlety, deft plotting, the clash of cultures, and profoundly nuanced representation of scene, mood, and character. This volume also contains James's celebrated Preface from the New York edition of his collected works.

Everything you need to make the grade! Test? Paper? Class discussion? Don't worry, we have you covered. This book has everything you need.Not only does it feature the complete text of As You Like It, it offers a comprehensive study guide that will easily help you understand Shakespeare's classic drama.You'll make the grade with complete and unabridged text, scene-by-scene summaries, explanations and discussions of the plot, question-and-answer sections, Shakespeare biography, a list of characters, and more.Includes the unabridged text of Shakespeare's classic play plus a complete study guide that helps readers gain a thorough understanding of the work's content and context. The comprehensive guide includes scene-by-scene summaries, explanations and discussions of the plot, question-and-answer sections, author biography, analytical paper topics, list of characters, bibliography, and more.

A lonely old man in early nineteenth-century London hits upon the idea of inviting acquaintances over to read their manuscripts together. The friends gather one night a week between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., and with the formation of their fictional literary club, Charles Dickens launched Master Humphrey's Clock, a weekly periodical that he published from 1840 to 1841. Recounted with the author's customary flair for humor and pathos, the tales range from the confessions of a child murderer and an account of a rebel's secret burial to lighthearted exchanges between a pair of talking statues. This collection marked Dickens'establishment of characters from his forthcoming novels The Old Curiosity Shop and Barnaby Rudge. He also reintroduced popular personalities from The Pickwick Papers, adding Mr. Pickwick, Sam Weller, and Mr. Weller to the narrators. Generations of readers have delighted in the warmth and humanity of these lesser-known tales by a master storyteller.

Martin Chuzzlewit is suspicious — and with good reason. His relatives think he's dying and they're flocking to his side from near and far in eager anticipation of inheriting his vast wealth. Their greed and selfishness has made him a misanthrope, and when he finds his namesake grandson romancing his ward, the old man's wrath drives young Martin off to America to seek his fortune. Already famous as the author of The Pickwick Papers and Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens declared this, his sixth novel, as'immeasurably the best of my stories.'The scheming Mr. Pecksniff, the corrupt Mrs. Gamp, the criminal Jonas Chuzzlewit, and other vividly realized characters populate this powerful black comedy, which features a parody of American mores and manners inspired by the author's 1842 visit to the United States. A captivating tale of hypocrisy and redemption, the novel is distinctive among Dickens'work for its combination of antic humor, searing satire, and lively melodrama.

Every generation has a chance to rediscover the ageless tales from Arthurian myth. But who was King Arthur? Was he a great and noble king, a strong warrior chieftain, a Celtic deity, or a compelling character of myth and legend? The lack of solid evidence has fueled fierce debate among scholars and historians. But whether or not we can verify his existence — or guess at his appearance — a gallery of important artists have used their prodigious talents to depict King Arthur and his compatriots in a range of creative styles. This stunning array of 148 color and black-and-white illustrations compiles the best of this artwork. This unique collection presents interpretations of medieval times and the chivalric code — from simply elegant to lavishly ornate — by legends N. C. Wyeth, Aubrey Beardsley, William Russell Flint, Howard Pyle, and others. Accompanied by an introduction to each artist and his work, this visual feast is a triumph of creativity and a tempting invitation to return to the spellbinding world of Camelot.These Arthurian legends have inspired numerous film adaptations, including the 2017 release King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law, Eric Bana, Djimon Hounsou, and Annabelle Wallis.

Test? Paper? Class discussion? Don't worry, we have you covered. This book has everything you need.Not only does it feature the complete text of Gulliver's Travels, it offers a comprehensive study guide that will easily help you understand Swift's classic novel.You'll make the grade with:• Complete and unabridged text• Chapter-by-chapter summaries• Explanations and discussions of the plot• Question-and-answer sections• Swift biography• List of characters and more

Includes the unabridged text of Joyce's classic novel plus a complete study guide that helps readers gain a thorough understanding of the work's content and context. The comprehensive guide includes chapter-by-chapter summaries, explanations and discussions of the plot, question-and-answer sections, author biography, analytical paper topics, list of characters, bibliography, and more.

Includes the unabridged text of Brontë's classic novel plus a complete study guide that helps readers gain a thorough understanding of the work's content and context. The comprehensive guide includes chapter-by-chapter summaries, explanations and discussions of the plot, question-and-answer sections, author biography, analytical paper topics, list of characters, bibliography, and more. A selection of the Common Core State Standards Initiative.

Includes the unabridged text of Shakespeare's classic play plus a complete study guide that helps readers gain a thorough understanding of the work's content and context. The comprehensive guide includes scene-by-scene summaries, explanations and discussions of the plot, question-and-answer sections, author biography, analytical paper topics, list of characters, bibliography, and more.

Test? Paper? Class discussion? Don't worry, this book has everything you need. Not only does it feature the complete text of A Tale of Two Cities, it offers a comprehensive study guide that will easily help you understand Dickens'classic novel.You'll make the grade with:• Complete and unabridged text• Scene-by-scene summaries• Explanations and discussions of the plot• Question-and-answer sections• Dickens biography• List of characters and more

Test? Paper? Class discussion? Don't worry, we have you covered. This book has everything you need.Not only does it feature the complete text of A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, it offers a comprehensive study guide that will easily help you understand Joyce's classic novel.You'll make the grade with:• Complete and unabridged text• Chapter-by-chapter summaries• Explanations and discussions of the plot• Question-and-answer sections• Joyce biography• List of characters and more

Includes the unabridged text of Stowe's classic novel plus a complete study guide that helps readers gain a thorough understanding of the work's content and context. The comprehensive guide includes chapter-by-chapter summaries, explanations and discussions of the plot, question-and-answer sections, author biography, analytical paper topics, list of characters, bibliography, and more.

Includes the unabridged text of Dicken's classic novel plus a complete study guide that helps readers gain a thorough understanding of the work's content and context. The comprehensive guide includes chapter-by-chapter summaries, explanations and discussions of the plot, question-and-answer sections, author biography, analytical paper topics, list of characters, bibliography, and more.

Everything you need to make the grade! Test? Paper? Class discussion? Don't worry, we have you covered. This book has everything you need. Not only does it feature the complete text of The Awakening, it offers a comprehensive study guide that will easily help you understand Chopin's classic novel. You'll make the grade with the complete and unabridged text, scene-by-scene summaries, explanations and discussions of the plot, question-and-answer sections, Chopin biography, list of characters, and more.

Test? Paper? Class discussion? Don't worry, we have you covered. This book has everything you need.Not only does it feature the complete text of Much Ado About Nothing, it offers a comprehensive study guide that will easily help you understand Shakespeare's classic drama.You'll make the grade with:• Complete and unabridged text• Scene-by-scene summaries• Explanations and discussions of the plot• Question-and-answer sections• Shakespeare biography• List of characters and more

Everything You Need To Make The GradeTest? Paper? Class discussion? Don't worry, we have you covered. This book has everything you need.Not only does it feature the complete text of The Merchant of Venice, it offers a comprehensive study guide that will easily help you understand Shakespeare's classic drama.You'll make the grade with:• Complete and unabridged text• Scene-by-scene summaries• Explanations and discussions of the plot• Question-and-answer sections• Shakespeare biography• List of characters and more

Includes the unabridged text of Austen's classic novel plus a complete study guide that helps readers gain a thorough understanding of the work's content and context. The comprehensive guide includes chapter-by-chapter summaries, explanations and discussions of the plot, question-and-answer sections, author biography, analytical paper topics, list of characters, bibliography, and more.

Includes the unabridged text of Shakespeare's classic play plus a complete study guide that helps readers gain a thorough understanding of the work's content and context. The comprehensive guide includes scene-by-scene summaries, explanations and discussions of the plot, question-and-answer sections, author biography, analytical paper topics, list of characters, bibliography, and more.

Includes the unabridged text of Shakespeare's classic play plus a complete study guide that helps readers gain a thorough understanding of the work's content and context. The comprehensive guide includes scene-by-scene summaries, explanations and discussions of the plot, question-and-answer sections, author biography, analytical paper topics, list of characters, bibliography, and more.

Rudolph Fisher's outstanding debut novel The Walls of Jericho, published in 1928, explores race and class issues during the 1920s Harlem Renaissance through the lens of Black lawyer Fred Merrit, who buys a home in a white neighborhood bordering Harlem. What progresses is a satirical journey through Merrit's life as he encounters the racism of his new white neighbors as well as racism and classism among the residents of Black Harlem. This edition includes four of Fisher's short stories that capture the Black Jazz Age urban experience, initially published in the iconic magazine The Atlantic Monthly: “City of Refuge,” “The Promised Land,” “Ringtail,” and “Blades of Steel.”

Published in 1900, eleven years prior to her masterpiece Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton's novella The Touchstone explores the emotional complexities of love and betrayal. Penniless and unable to marry the woman he loves, the financially struggling lawyer Stephen Glennard discovers a way out of his predicaments by selling love letters written to him by deceased author Margaret Aubyn. Glennard's psychological anguish as he grapples with his guilt and the repercussions of his actions presents a poignant narrative of human conscience and morality.

Disillusioned with the United States after being expelled from medical school because of his race, Matthew Towns, a young African American man, moves to Berlin, Germany, where he meets and falls in love with Kautilya, a princess from India. They become members of an international coalition against white imperialism. Civil rights activist and NAACP cofounder W. E. B. Du Bois dedicated his life to illuminating racial bigotry's historical, economic, and cultural consequences. Dark Princess, written in the genre of fantasy romance fiction, offered Du Bois an opportunity to fulfill his greatest ambitions, dreams, and longings: eradicating prejudice and discrimination against African Americans and people of color. Although it was not well received when it was first published, the novel is a powerful indictment of white supremacy — and a stirring call for international solidarity among people of color. It has since been rediscovered by scholars and critics who appreciate its bold vision and historical significance.

It was an exciting time for young women of the 1920s as they embraced liberation from the pre–World War I traditions of their mothers. In the mild Mediterranean climate of the Italian Riviera, a rebellious young Sydney Warren cautiously tested her newfound freedom, developing an intimate relationship with the charming middle-aged widow Mrs. Kerr that caused rumors and speculation to stir among the wealthy British guests of a luxurious seaside hotel. A sapphic affair simmers beneath the surface of Elizabeth Bowen's captivating first novel, published in 1927. With its masterful storytelling, combined with Bowen's keen observations and elegant prose, The Hotel beautifully illuminates the contrast between the tranquil Italian setting and the underlying tensions among the privileged characters. The novel is a thoughtful exploration of social norms, personal identity, and the subtle dynamics of group interaction, resulting in a rich story that often relies on what is left unsaid as much as what is written on the page.

Claude McKay's 1928 novel, Home to Harlem, is one of the most important works of the Harlem Renaissance. With raw, unflinching candor, McKay explores race, identity, love, and loss and gives voice to the plight of young Black men during the Jazz Age. Jake Brown, a Black American soldier and a World War I deserter, returns to Harlem and struggles to find his place in a vibrant working-class community that's rife with poverty, crime, and racism. He meets various characters, including a displaced Haitian intellectual, prostitutes, hustlers, and jazz musicians, and he experiences everything from love and joy to despair and violence.

This unforgettable novella takes readers on a poignant journey through a failing marriage and offers a tragic depiction of the marriage paradox: how to reconcile youth's romantic exuberance with growing disillusionment, bitterness, and regret.

Inspired by her volunteer work in France during World War I, Edith Wharton's remarkable war novel, A Son at the Front, was initially met with widespread indifference from a war-weary public. The profoundly moving story follows expatriate American painter John Campton as he battles to keep his only son, George, away from the front while considering the moral ramifications of his actions. The Pulitzer Prize–winning author delivers a deeply emotional and intimate look at the shattered lives of the distraught parents left behind. Wharton constructs a stunning, poignant tale that skillfully explores the psychological and cultural influences on human behavior during the early years of World War I.

“Something that cuts across them like a bar of light... patiently illumines all their problems, and at another place shoots over or through them as if they did not exist. We shall give that bar of light two names, fantasy and prophecy.” —E. M. Forster, Aspects of the Novel Six compelling tales intertwined with fantasy spotlight the profound humanism that E. M. Forster developed in his later novels. These early writings provide readers with a thought-provoking exploration of the human spirit, allowing for the possibility of a life-altering epiphany that frequently conflicts with conventional wisdom. From the prescient science fiction dystopia “The Machine Stops” to the title story, “The Eternal Moment,” each character is engulfed by a separation of reality from illusion and every experience prompts a transformation within. With opposing perspectives at play, they can never be the same. This extraordinary short story collection includes “Co-Ordination,” “The Eternal Moment,” “Mr. Andrews,” “The Machine Stops,” “The Point of It,” and “The Story of the Siren.”

The mysterious power of dreams has always fascinated humanity. Theories of interpretation, meaning, and symbolism have varied, yet their intrigue remains eternal. This captivating anthology of dreams represents the experiences of great authors and characters as well as their nighttime wanderings, awakened through passages from the Bible, classical Greek literature, novels, memoirs, essays, philosophy, psychology, and poetry. It explores perspectives both critical and in awe of dreaming's incredible narrative potential, offering readers an enlightening glimpse into timeless nocturnal musings that can reveal a writer's most intimate self through nightmare and comedy alike! This original collection contains selections from Louisa May Alcott, the Brontë sisters, G. K. Chesterton, Cicero, René Descartes, Charles Dickens, Emily Dickinson, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Sigmund Freud, Homer, Victor Hugo, Edgar Allan Poe, William Shakespeare, Sophocles, Robert Louis Stevenson, and other dreamers.

This masterpiece of realist fiction portrays a gripping tale of corruption and greed, and delivers a scathing, satirical critique of social injustice during the early years of the California oil boom.

In the aftermath of the Mexican-American War, two French Jesuit priests travel to the American Southwest to establish a new Roman Catholic diocese. Upon arrival, Father Jean Marie Latour and Father Joseph Vaillant encounter an ethnically diverse population in an unforgiving landscape, entrenched customs and beliefs by the inhabitants, and corrupt Spanish priests. Written by Pulitzer Prize–winning American author Willa Cather and published in 1927, the novel follows the priests'adventures, friendship, and spiritual journey as they struggle to fulfill their mission.

In eighteenth-century Peru, a historic bridge connecting the cities of Cuzco and Lima collapses, plunging five people to their deaths. A Franciscan monk, Brother Juniper, witnesses the tragedy and embarks on a spiritual quest to reconcile free will versus fate and the existence of God in the victims'lives: “Why did this happen to those five?” This thought-provoking, Pulitzer Prize–winning second novel by American writer Thornton Wilder was called “a masterpiece” by The New York Times when it was published in 1927. Critically acclaimed, it remains a compelling literary classic exploring destiny, love, religion, and the meaning of life.

In 1816, also known as “The Year Without a Summer,” a group of pioneering writers gathered at Villa Diodati in Lake Geneva, Switzerland, and wrote some of the most iconic Gothic horror stories in English literature. The Tales of Villa Diodati is the result of a legendary ghost story contest between friends confined indoors by unseasonably dismal weather. “We will each write a story,” proposed Lord Byron. The challenge was the genesis of this blood-chilling anthology blending the macabre, supernatural, and romance. Selections include Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the first true science fiction novel, and John Polidori's “The Vampyre,” considered one of the earliest examples of the romantic vampire genre. The story was inspired by Lord Byron's “A Fragment,” which is also included, as is Percy Bysshe Shelley's “Fragment of a Ghost Story.” These spine-tingling tales have enthralled generations of readers for centuries.

Ernest Hemingway's charming and entertaining novella is a hilarious parody of Sherwood Anderson's Dark Laughter and the literary styles and ideas of other great writers, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, James Joyce, and John Dos Passos.

Dorothy Parker's literary prowess reveals a razor-sharp wit in this original collection of twelve short stories, published between 1922 and 1927 in the top literary magazines of the day, including The Smart Set, The New Yorker, and The New Republic. These superbly crafted satirical stories, rich with keen insights into human nature, illuminate the pretentious absurdities within relationships between men and women — in and outside of marriage, the politics of patriarchy and power, the subordination of women, and observations of class and race. An excellent sampling of Parker's acerbity rooted in an intimate realism and subtle feminism, this collection of early works features some of Parker's best-known tales, including “Arrangement in Black and White,” “Mr. Durant,” “Such a Pretty Little Picture,” and “The Last Tea.”

This witty social satire of the Jazz Age follows the escapades of gold-digging flapper Lorelei Lee and her best friend, Dorothy, from New York to Europe.

One of the most innovative authors and distinguished literary critics of the twentieth century, Virginia Woolf examines family dynamics and the tensions between men and women in her 1927 novel To the Lighthouse. A pioneer in the use of stream of consciousness as a narrative device, Woolf explores multiple perspectives of the members of the Ramsay family as they navigate experiences of disappointment and loss. Divided into three sections, the story takes place pre– and post–World War I during visits to the Ramsays'summer residence on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.

Ernest Hemingway's first novel is considered by some scholars to be his greatest work, following American and British expats in the 1920s as they travel from Paris to Pamplona to watch the running of the bulls. The characters are based on personalities who were part of Hemingway's circle and pulled from his own exploits in trips to Paris and Spain in the 1920s. “The ideal companion for troubled times: equal parts Continental escape and serious grappling with the question of what it means to be, and feel, lost.” —The Wall Street Journal.

William Faulkner's inspiration for his second novel, Mosquitoes (1927), was his involvement in the 1920s New Orleans creative community. Mosquitoes explores the themes of sexuality and the societal role of the artist as it follows a bohemian cast of characters on a four-day cruise aboard the yacht Nausikaa, which is owned by a wealthy patron of the arts. The excursion on Lake Pontchartrain offers an intriguing glimpse into the youth of one of the most influential writers of the twentieth century.

Agatha Christie's The Big Four enjoyed commercial success at the time of its publication in 1927, despite lukewarm critical reviews. Deviating from her earlier writing style, Christie presents several smaller mysteries within a larger one. Renowned private detective Hercule Poirot, pulled into a world of intrigue and espionage, sets out to break up an international group of four criminal masterminds. In this follow-up to The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Christie has crafted an action-packed plot filled with colorful characters whose aim is world domination. The offbeat novel takes readers on a fast-paced thrill ride from England and France to Belgium and Italy.

Published in 1927, Ernest Hemingway's second collection of short stories, Men Without Women, explores themes of alienation, loss, and grief. Hemingway examines men who are estranged from the women in their lives as they navigate situations involving bullfighting, prizefighting, infidelity, divorce, and death. The collection contains fourteen stories, including the critically acclaimed “Hills Like White Elephants,” “In Another Country,” and “The Killers.”

William Faulkner is one of the most important American writers of the twentieth century, yet success was elusive when he published his first novel, Soldiers'Pay, in 1926. Capturing the post–World War I atmosphere of the Lost Generation on American soil, Faulkner explores the war's emotional impact on three weary veterans and their Southern hometown in Georgia. Experimental narrative techniques blended with literary modernism set the foundation for Faulkner to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature and two Pulitzer Prizes.

Ten classic short stories by author and humorist P. G. Wodehouse tell the amusing antics and occasional mishaps of young gentleman Bertie Wooster, who regularly relies on the infinite wisdom of his consummate valet, Jeeves, for help. Lighthearted and delightful to read, these stories include some of the most popular from the Jeeves canon: “Jeeves Takes Charge,” in which Bertie and Jeeves first meet, and “Bertie Changes His Mind,” the only story told from Jeeves's point of view.

Over ninety years after its initial publication, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd still stumps readers as a methodical, detailed, and suspenseful whodunit. When King's Abbot resident Roger Ackroyd is found murdered in his study, the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is called in to help solve the mystery. As the clues and suspects add up, Christie masterfully weaves several possible scenarios, only to surprise readers at the end. Voted by the British Crime Writers'Association as the best crime novel ever written — and said to be Christie's favorite of her novels — it is the third book following detective Hercule Poirot. The Mysterious Affair at Styles and The Murder on the Links are also available from Dover.

A tale of ambition, politics, and power, Manhattan Transfer is a masterpiece of modernist fiction and urban realism. From the Gilded Age to the Jazz Age, John Dos Passos takes readers through a collage of characters chasing the American Dream, engulfed by the frenetic pace of New York's industrial expansion. Love, loss, and alienation unify the disparate characters against a thinly veiled critique of American capitalism. Published in 1925, Dos Passos crafted an experimental novel combining the innovative technique of stream of consciousness with fragmented narratives adopted from a cinematic perspective. His panoramic literary style has inspired generations of writers.

This masterly character study of human transformation, written by Joseph Conrad (1857–1924) during the First World War, chronicles a youth's passage into manhood upon becoming the commander of his first ship. In this poignant tale of maturation, Conrad explores the initiation of this transitional occurrence and delivers a portrait of physical and psychic exile; sensory disorientation; and the final crossover toward a new identity. With realism born of firsthand knowledge of the seafaring life, Conrad delivers an intense evocation of his own first command aboard the ship Otago, which he took on when the previous captain died en route to Bangkok.

A master playwright and short story writer, Anton Chekhov is revered for his ability to examine the social forces in his characters'lives. His virtuosity with the written word is on full display in this collection of his best stories, which explore the euphoria and despair inherent in the process of falling and being in love. Eleven stories, including'A Misfortune,''Verochka,''About Love,'and'The Lady with the Dog,'offer readers a unique view into one of the most universal human experiences.

'One of the most important works in American literature — and, to many, the great American novel.'— Time.'I want to write something new,'F. Scott Fitzgerald told his editor, Maxwell Perkins,'something extraordinary and beautiful and simple and intricately patterned.'A century later, Fitzgerald's little book of big ideas retains its freshness and excitement. The quintessential portrait of Jazz Age America, it reflects the era's postwar exuberance as well as the corruption and immorality lurking behind the glamour of wild parties, dancing, and illegal drinking. Narrator Nick Carraway — a transplant from the Midwest like Fitzgerald himself — observes the wasteful lives of his well-to-do neighbors in this tale of money, love, and the pursuit of the American dream. The unforgettable cast is headed by Jay Gatsby, a self-made man whose determination to realize his fantasies embodies both the glories of imagination and the grimness of reality. Above all, The Great Gatsby is animated by the magic of Fitzgerald's incandescent prose and its timeless exploration of the importance of honesty, the temptations of wealth, and the struggle to escape the past.

Hemingway made his North American literary debut in 1925 with In Our Time, his first collection of short stories and vignettes. Widely praised at the time for what later would be considered the author's hallmark style—uncomplicated, precise language with an eye for realism—the stories'themes of alienation, loss, and grief continue the work Hemingway began earlier in his career. Includes two of his best-known Nick Adams stories: “Indian Camp” and “Big Two-Hearted River.”

Readers seeking exotic locales and nonstop pulse-pounding thrills will love this collection of six classic adventure stories, beginning with The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell, one of the best-known short stories, about a hunt designed for very specific prey. Other timeless tales include To Build a Fire by Jack London, The Caballero's Way by O. Henry, The Seed from the Sepulchre by Clark Ashton Smith, Alone in Shark Waters by John Kruse, and The Man Who Would Be King by Rudyard Kipling.

This bittersweet tale begins when the successful Professor Godfrey St. Peter and his wife move into a comfortable new house. On the eve of the move, Godfrey analyzes his life, family, and friends: his two daughters'marriages have removed them from the home, and the loss of his most outstanding student (and once son-in-law to be) leaves him feeling without purpose. His desire to stay in his old study and cling to what used to be sparks deep introspection in a story that explores a mid-life crisis and family life in a 1920s Midwestern college town.