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The Aspern Papers is a novella by American writer Henry James, originally published in The Atlantic Monthly in 1888, with its first book publication later in the same year. One of James's best-known and most acclaimed longer tales, The Aspern Papers is based on the letters Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote to Mary Shelley's stepsister, Claire Clairmont, who saved them until she died. Set in Venice, The Aspern Papers demonstrates James's ability to generate suspense while never neglecting the development of his characters. (Wikipedia)

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.

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘The Aspern Papers'from the bestselling edition of ‘The Complete Works of Henry James'. Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of James includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily.eBook features: • The complete unabridged text of ‘The Aspern Papers'• Beautifully illustrated with images related to James's works • Individual contents table, allowing easy navigation around the eBook • Excellent formatting of the text Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of titles

American author and expatriate, Henry James is regarded as one the principal figures of 19th century literary realism. His work, which often features Americans traveling to Europe, is noted for its intimate examination of the consciousness of his characters. In this volume we find two of his most popular works. “The Turn of the Screw” is an intense psychological tale of terror. Beginning in an old house on Christmas Eve, it is the story of a governess who comes to live with and take care of two young children, whose parents have recently died. The governess loves her new position in charge of the young children; however she is soon disturbed when she begins to see ghosts. “The Aspern Papers” is the story of an unnamed narrator who travels to Venice in search of Juliana Bordereau, whom he believes is in possession of some personal letters of the famous and now dead American poet, Jeffrey Aspern. This edition includes a preface by Henry James.

Willa Sibert Cather was born on 7th December, 1873 on her grandmother's farm in the Back Creek Valley near Winchester, Virginia. After several years and moves the family eventually settled in Red Cloud, Nebraska and for the first time Cather could now attend school. In Red Cloud Cather had her earliest writings published in the local Red Cloud Chief newspaper. Her time in the mid-West created a vivid tranche of experiences for the young woman. It was still, for the most part, the frontier; a landscape of dramatic environment and weather, the vastness of the Nebraska prairie, as well as the many diverse cultures of the local families. Attending the University of Nebraska she published a well received essay on Thomas Carlyle in the Nebraska State Journal and thereafter became a regular contributor to its offerings. After being hired to write for the Home Monthly, in 1896, Cather moved to Pittsburgh. Within a year she became a telegraph editor and drama critic for the Pittsburgh Leader as well as contributing poetry and short fiction to The Library, another local publication. Her first collection of short stories,'The Troll Garden', was published in 1905 and contains several of her most famous including'A Wagner Matinee,''The Sculptor's Funeral,'and'Paul's Case.'As a writer Cather was now taking immense strides forward. By 1912 she had finished her first novel'Alexander's Bridge'which was serialized in McClure's to favourable reviews. Cather now began her Prairie Trilogy:'O Pioneers!'(1913),'The Song of the Lark'(1915), and'My Ántonia'(1918). All three were popular and critical successes nationwide. Throughout the 1910s and 1920s, Cather continued to establish herself as a major American writer and received the Pulitzer Prize in 1922 for her novel'One of Ours'. A determinedly private person, Cather destroyed many old drafts, personal papers, and letters. Her will would also restrict the ability of scholars to quote from personal papers that remained. In 1932, Cather published her final collection of short stories,'Obscure Destinies'which contained the highly regarded'Neighbour Rosicky.'She now began work on'Lucy Gayheart', a novel that was rather darker than those before it. With her career settled as one of America's greatest writers honours began to flow. In 1943 she was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The following year, 1944, Cather received the gold medal for fiction from the National Institute of Arts and Letters. However time was about to settle scores with her. On April 24th, 1947, Willa Siebert Cather died of a cerebral haemorrhage at her home at 570 Park Avenue in Manhattan. She was 73.

Excerpt:'Ben Moreton was not a Bolshevist; indeed, he had written several editorials to show that, in his opinion, their doctrines were not sound, but of course the people who denounced him never thought of reading his paper. He was a socialist, a believer in government ownership, and, however equably he attempted to examine any dispute between capital and labor, he always found for labor. He was much denounced by ultraconservatives, and perhaps their instinct was sound, for he was educated, determined, and possessed of a personality that attached people warmly, so that he was more dangerous than those whose doctrines were more militant. He was not wholly trusted by the extreme radicals. His views were not consistently agreeable to either group. For instance, he believed that the conscientious objectors were really conscientious, a creed for which many people thought he ought to be deported. On the other hand, he doubted that Wall Street had started the war for its own purposes, a skepticism which made some of his friends think him just fit for a bomb.'

Excerpt:'When Miss Elizabeth Wiggin settled herself comfortably in the shade of the spreading oak in Libby's pasture, she looked forward eagerly to a pleasant and quiet hour with her book, “Wooed, Won, and Wedded.” As may be surmised from the title of the book, Miss Wiggin was romantic. She was likewise just eighteen years of age, and the daughter of Judge Nathan P. Wiggin, of Greenbush, the village that could be seen nestling in the valley something like a mile distant from that hillside oak. Miss Wiggin lived in Greenbush, but on pleasant afternoons she had a habit of wandering away, accompanied only by an aged shepherd dog, in search of some spot where she could read without fear of interruption. For her grim old father objected to trashy love stories, and her ascetic spinster aunt, who had acted as the judge's housekeeper since the death of Mrs. Wiggin, held all such fiction in abhorrence. Indeed, the animus of Aunt Sally Wiggin against stories depicting the ravages wrought by the little god of the bow and arrow was so extreme that, by consigning such terrible tales to the flames whenever she found them about the house, she conscientiously did her best to prevent them from turning the head of her niece. She even forbade the village news dealer to sell Bessie any more books of that type. In these days, however, it is no easy matter to deprive any one of the mental pabulum that is desired, and Aunt Sally had set herself a task that she could not accomplish. Lemuel Dodd, Judge Wiggin's hostler and man of all work, red-headed, freckled, and homely as a slump fence, undeterred by the discouraging fact that his persistent efforts to make love to Bessie seemed merely to arouse her amusement, became her secret and faithful ally. Twice a week, at least, he spent twenty-five cents of his wages for a paper-covered novel to be smuggled into her possession, and invariably he chose the ones whose titles seemed to promise that their contents would come up to Elizabeth's requirements. “There ain't many single fellers left round this town,” Lemuel told himself, “and mebbe if she reads enough of them yarns she'll git so desprit she'll have to grab what's handy. And when she gits the notion to grab, I'm going to take keer that I'm the handiest thing in reach.” And so, on this sunny September afternoon, Bessie Wiggin was seeking the shade of the oak in Libby's pasture, presumably afar from interruption, and prepared thoroughly to enjoy Lemuel's latest contribution. Her face was almost hidden by one of Aunt Sally's extremely old-fashioned sunbonnets, which she had hastily taken when she slipped out of the house with the book. Shep, the old dog, stretched himself in the short grass at her feet and prepared to go to sleep comfortably.'

George Robert Gissing was born on November 22nd, 1857 in Wakefield, Yorkshire.He was educated at Back Lane School in Wakefield. Gissing loved school. He was enthusiastic with a thirst for learning and always diligent. By the age of ten he was reading Dickens, a lifelong hero.In 1872 Gissing won a scholarship to Owens College. Whilst there Gissing worked hard but remained solitary. Unfortunately, he had run short of funds and stole from his fellow students. He was arrested, prosecuted, found guilty, expelled and sentenced to a month's hard labour in 1876. On release he decided to start over. In September 1876 he travelled to the United States. Here he wrote short stories for the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers. On his return home he was ready for novels. Gissing self-published his first novel but it failed to sell. His second was acquired but never published. His writing career was static. Something had to change. And it did. By 1884 The Unclassed was published. Now everything he wrote was published. Both Isabel Clarendon and Demos appeared in 1886. He mined the lives of the working class as diligently as any capitalist. In 1889 Gissing used the proceeds from the sale of The Nether World to go to Italy. This trip formed the basis for his 1890 work The Emancipated. Gissing's works began to command higher payments. New Grub Street (1891) brought a fee of £250. Short stories followed and in 1895, three novellas were published; Eve's Ransom, The Paying Guest and Sleeping Fires. Gissing was careful to keep up with the changing attitudes of his audience. Unfortunately, he was also diagnosed as suffering from emphysema. The last years of his life were spent as a semi-invalid in France but he continued to write. 1899; The Crown of Life. Our Friend the Charlatan appeared in 1901, followed two years later by The Private Papers of Henry Ryecroft. George Robert Gissing died aged 46 on December 28th, 1903 after catching a chill on a winter walk.

Rudyard Kipling: A great Victorian, a great writer of Empire, a great man.Rudyard Kipling was one of the most popular writers of prose and poetry in the late 19th and 20th Century and awarded the Noble Prize for Literature in 1907.Born in Bombay on 30th December 1865, as was the custom in those days, he and his sister were sent back to England when he was 5. The ill-treatment and cruelty by the couple who they boarded with in Portsmouth, Kipling himself suggested, contributed to the onset of his literary life. This was further enhanced by his return to India at age 16 to work on a local paper, as not only did this result in him writing constantly but also made him explore issues of identity and national allegiance which pervade much of his work.Whilst he is best remembered for his classic children's stories and his popular poem ‘If..'. He is also regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story and of course the novels and other works that have seen him acknowledged as a writer of the first rank.

Classic novel. According to Wikipedia:'George Robert Gissing (November 22, 1857 – December 28, 1903) was an English novelist who wrote twenty-three novels between 1880 and 1903. From his early naturalistic works, he developed into one of the most accomplished realists of the late-Victorian era.... In 1880 when his first novel, Workers in the Dawn, proved to be an abject failure, he became a private tutor to keep poverty from the door. In 1883, he separated from his wife, now an alcoholic, but gave her a weekly income on what little money he had until her death in 1888. In 1884 his second novel, The Unclassed, which saw a marked improvement in style and characterisation, met with moderate critical acclaim. After this Gissing published novels almost on a yearly basis, but so little money did they bring him, that for several more years he had to continue working as a tutor. Although notoriously exploited by his publishers, he was able to visit Italy in 1889 from the sale of the copyright of The Nether World, his most pessimistic book. Between 1891 and 1897 (his so-called middle period) Gissing produced his best works, which include New Grub Street, Born in Exile, The Odd Women, In the Year of Jubilee, and The Whirlpool. In advance of their time, they variously deal with the growing commercialism of the literary market, religious charlatanism, the situation of emancipated women in a male-dominated society, the poverty of the working classes, and marriage in a decadent world. During this period, having belatedly become aware of the financial rewards of writing short stories for the press, he produced almost seventy stories. As a result he was able to give up teaching.... The middle years of the decade saw Gissing's reputation reach new heights: by some critics he is counted alongside George Meredith and Thomas Hardy as one of the best three novelists of his day. He also enjoyed new friendships with fellow writers such as Henry James, and H.G. Wells, and came into contact with many other up and coming writers such as Joseph Conrad and Stephen Crane.... In 1903 Gissing published The Private Papers of Henry Ryecroft, which brought him much acclaim. This is his most autobiographical work. It is the memoir of the last happy years of a writer who had struggled much like Gissing, but thanks to a late legacy had been able to give up writing to retire to the countryside.'

Great Expectations is Charles Dickens's thirteenth novel. It is his second novel, after David Copperfield, to be fully narrated in the first person. Great Expectations is abildungsroman, or a coming-of-age novel, and it is a classic work of Victorian literature. It depicts the growth and personal development of an orphan named Pip. The novel was first published in serial form in Dickens'weekly periodical All the Year Round, from 1 December 1860 to August 1861. In October 1861, Chapman and Hall published the novel in three volumes. Great Expectations was to be twice as long, but constraints imposed by the management of All the Year Round limited the novel's length. Collected and dense, with a conciseness unusual for Dickens, the novel represents Dickens'peak and maturity as an author. According to G. K. Chesterton, Dickens penned Great Expectations in'the afternoon of [his] life and fame.'It was the penultimate novel Dickens completed, preceding Our Mutual Friend. It is set among the marshes of Kent and in London in the early to mid-1800s. From the outset, the reader is'treated'by the terrifying encounter between Pip, the protagonist, and the escaped convict, Abel Magwitch. Great Expectations is a graphic book, full of extreme imagery, poverty, prison ships,'the hulks,'barriers and chains, and fights to the death. It therefore combines intrigue and unexpected twists of autobiographical detail in different tones. Regardless of its narrative technique, the novel reflects the events of the time, Dickens'concerns, and the relationship between society and man. The novel has received mixed reviews from critics: Thomas Carlyle speaks of'All that Pip's nonsense,'while George Bernard Shaw praised the novel as'All of one piece and Consistently truthfull.'Dickens felt Great Expectations was his best work, calling it'a very fine idea,'and was very sensitive to compliments from his friends:'Bulwer, who has been, as I think you know, extraordinarily taken by the book.'ABOUT AUTHOR: Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812 – 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's most memorable fictional characters and is generally regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian period. During his life, his works enjoyed unprecedented fame, and by the twentieth century his literary genius was broadly acknowledged by critics and scholars. His novels and short stories continue to be widely popular. Born in Portsmouth, England, Dickens was forced to leave school to work in a factory when his father was thrown into debtors'prison. Although he had little formal education, his early impoverishment drove him to succeed. Over his career he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, 5 novellas and hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms. Dickens sprang to fame with the 1836 serial publication of The Pickwick Papers. Within a few years he had become an international literary celebrity, famous for his humour, satire, and keen observation of character and society. His novels, most published in monthly or weekly instalments, pioneered the serial publication of narrative fiction, which became the dominant Victorian mode for novel publication. The instalment format allowed Dickens to evaluate his audience's reaction, and he often modified his plot and character development based on such feedback. For example, when his wife's chiropodistexpressed distress at the way Miss Mowcher in David Copperfield seemed to reflect her disabilities, Dickens went on to improve the character with positive features. Fagin inOliver Twist apparently mirrors the famous fence Ikey Solomon; His caricature of Leigh Hunt in the figure of Mr Skimpole in Bleak

This Library of America volume brings together one of Henry James's most unusual experiments and one of his most beloved masterpiecesWriting to his friend William Dean Howells, Henry James characterized his experimental novel, The Sacred Fount, as the only one of his novels to be told in the first person, as “a fine flight into the high fantastic.” While traveling to the country house of Newmarch for a weekend party, the nameless narrator becomes obsessed with the idea that a person may become younger or cleverer by tapping the “sacred fount” of another person. Convinced that Grace Brissenden has become younger by drawing upon her husband, Guy, the narrator seeks to discover the source of the newfound wit of Gilbert Long, previously “a fine piece of human furniture.” His perplexing and ambiguous quest, and the varying reactions it provokes from the other guests, calls into question the imaginative inquiry central to James's art of the novel.James described the essential idea of The Wings of the Dove as “a young person conscious of a great capacity for life, but early stricken and doomed, condemned to die under short respite, while also enamoured of the world.” The heroine, a wealthy young American heiress, Milly Theale (inspired by James's beloved cousin Minny Temple), is slowly drawn into a trap set for her by the English adventuress Kate Croy and her lover, the journalist Morton Densher. The unexpected outcome of their mercenary scheme provides the resolution to a tragic story of love and betrayal, innocence and experience that has long been acknowledged as one of James's supreme achievements as a novelist. This volume prints the New York Edition text of The Wings of the Dove, and includes the illuminating preface James wrote for that edition.LIBRARY OF AMERICA is an independent nonprofit cultural organization founded in 1979 to preserve our nation's literary heritage by publishing, and keeping permanently in print, America's best and most significant writing. The Library of America series includes more than 300 volumes to date, authoritative editions that average 1,000 pages in length, feature cloth covers, sewn bindings, and ribbon markers, and are printed on premium acid-free paper that will last for centuries.

'The Classic Collection of Grace Livingston Hill: Illustrated'brings together a selection of timeless novels by the prolific author Grace Livingston Hill. This beautifully illustrated anthology includes beloved works such as'Crimson Roses,''Re-Creations,''In the Way,''Partners,''The Enchanted Barn,'and several others. Within these pages, readers will encounter a tapestry of engaging stories that explore themes of romance, faith, and the triumph of virtue. Grace Livingston Hill, a prominent American author during the early 20th century, is celebrated for her wholesome and inspirational narratives. Each novel in this collection weaves together compelling characters, moral dilemmas, and the enduring power of love. The addition of illustrations enhances the visual experience, offering readers a vivid portrayal of the characters and settings that have captivated audiences for generations. This comprehensive collection allows readers to immerse themselves in Hill's signature storytelling style, characterized by a blend of romance, Christian values, and a celebration of the human spirit. For those seeking a journey into the past and a taste of heartwarming narratives,'The Classic Collection of Grace Livingston Hill'provides a delightful opportunity to rediscover or explore for the first time the works of this influential and beloved author. Contents: Crimson Roses Partners Re-Creations In the Way The Mystery of Mary The Search The Witness An Unwilling Guest The Red Signal The Story of a Whim The Tryst The Big Blue Soldier Because of Stephen The Girl From Montana The Man of the Desert A Voice in the Wilderness The Enchanted Barn

Written by iconic Egyptian novelist Ihsan Abdel Kouddous, this classic of love, desire, and family breakdown smashed through taboos when first published in Arabic and continues to captivate audiences todayIt is 1950s Cairo and 16-year-old Amina is engaged to a much older man. Despite all the excitement of the wedding preparations, Amina is not looking forward to her nuptials. And it is not because of the age gap or because of the fact that she does not love, or even really know, her fiancé. No, it is because she is involved with another man.This other man is Dr Hashim Abdel-Latif, and while he is Amina's first love, she is certainly not his. Also many years her senior, Hashim is well-known in polite circles for his adventures with women. A Nose and Three Eyes tells the story of Amina's love affair with Hashim, and that of two other young women: Nagwa and Rihab.A Nose and Three Eyes is a story of female desire and sexual awakening, of love and infatuation, and of exploitation and despair. It quietly critiques the strictures put upon women by conservative social norms and expectations, while a subtle undercurrent of political censure was carefully aimed at the then Nasser regime. As such, it was both deeply controversial and wildly popular when first published in the 1960s. Still a household name, this novel, and its author, have stood the test of time and remain relevant and highly readable today.

The Power of Sympathy, written by William Hill Brown and published in 1789, is recognized as the first American novel. This groundbreaking work delves into the complex web of human emotions, morality, and the societal norms of late 18th-century America. Presented in the epistolary format, the novel unfolds through a series of letters that expose the intimate thoughts and experiences of its characters. Central to the plot is the ill-fated love affair between Harrington and Harriot, whose relationship is marred by the revelations of hidden secrets and familial ties. As their story progresses, themes of seduction, betrayal, and the consequences of moral failings are meticulously explored. Brown's narrative serves as a moralistic critique, warning against the dangers of unchecked passion and the importance of virtue. The novel's emphasis on the power of sympathy and its ability to foster human connection and empathy is a reflection of the sentimental literary tradition of the time. The Power of Sympathy not only offers a compelling story but also provides insight into the social and cultural landscape of early America. It remains a significant piece of American literary history, celebrated for its pioneering approach to storytelling and its exploration of the human condition. This edition of The Power of Sympathy invites readers to engage with a seminal work that laid the foundation for American fiction, emphasizing the enduring relevance of its themes and its contribution to literary heritage.

A captivating feminist classic about a woman's struggle for independence in fascist Italy, from the author of Forbidden Notebook - with an afterword by Elena Ferrante __________'Reading Alba de Céspedes was, for me, like breaking into an unknown universe: social class, feelings, atmosphere'Annie Ernaux'One of Italy's most cosmopolitan, incendiary, insightful, and overlooked writers'Jhumpa Lahiri'Alba de Céspedes wrote novels in the 1940s and 1950s that were radically contemporary, both then and now... A courageous novel, beautifully imagined and written'Washington Post __________ Alessandra has always wanted more than life offered her. Growing up in a crowded apartment block in 1930s Rome, she watches as her mother's dreams of becoming a concert pianist are stifled by an unsatisfying marriage. When her father's traditional family try to make Alessandra marry at a young age, she rebels against the future they imagine for her. Soon she falls passionately in love with Francesco, an anti-fascist professor, and a new world seems to open up. Working for the underground resistance, she tastes the independence that she has yearned for. But what will it take for her to break free from society's expectations, and live on her own terms? Drawing on Alba de Céspedes's own experiences in Italy's wartime uprising, Her Side of the Story is a feminist chronicle of fierce and unforgettable power.

'White Nights'by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a poignant and introspective short story that delves into the complexities of human emotions and the transient nature of romantic connections. Set against the backdrop of St. Petersburg's nocturnal charm, the narrative follows the lonely protagonist through four consecutive white nights, where he encounters a mysterious young woman. As the two form a deep but ephemeral connection, Dostoyevsky explores themes of love, isolation, and the fleeting nature of human connections. The story unfolds with rich psychological depth, providing readers with a profound exploration of the human soul and the profound impact of chance encounters on one's emotional landscape.

Excerpt:'Fractiousness was the keynote of the mental atmosphere in a certain substantial-looking South Kensington house on a certain Monday morning. Not that this bad-tempered atmosphere was peculiar to this one particular Monday by no means. As a rule, every living thing in the house, from the master down to the blind and asthmatic pug that lived under the kitchen table, started the working week in a mood that was detestable in an individual as well as collective sense. And perhaps the worst offender of the lot was Mrs. Pennington. Her hatred of Mondays had become traditional. Seated at her well-worn writing table, surrounded by tradesmen's books of every size, color and description, she was simply unapproachable. On ordinary occasions gentle-voiced and sympathetic, the advent of Monday saw her transformed into a flushed, querulous, pugilistic person, whose whole attitude denoted war and hatred toward every washerwoman, every butcher, baker or greengrocer that ever had existed or ever would exist. Life in the Kensington household for at least three hours of the average Monday might be likened to the sensation of a train that had suddenly left the rails and was bumping along with a series[Pg 6] of shocks, till either the steam was turned off in time or a catastrophe occurred. That a catastrophe never had occurred is one of those everyday marvels with which we are hemmed about. Why, for instance, “cook”—a generic term which covered a multitude of persons—had never turned on her mistress and thrashed out the end of the “suet question” with fists instead of angry impertinence, was one of those problems which Polly, at least, had never been able to solve.'

The Vinegar Saint is a historical novel written by Hughes Mearns that tells the story of the life of St. Francis of Assisi. The novel begins with the early life of Francis, a young man who is the son of a wealthy cloth merchant. Despite his privileged upbringing, Francis is troubled by the suffering and poverty that he sees around him. He begins to question the materialism and selfishness of his own life, and eventually he decides to devote himself to a life of poverty and service to others. Francis becomes a wandering monk, preaching a message of love, compassion, and humility. He attracts a group of followers, who become known as the Franciscans. Over time, the Franciscan order grows and spreads throughout Italy and beyond. One of the most famous stories about St. Francis is the legend of the'Vinegar Saint.'According to the legend, Francis once encountered a peasant who was carrying a basket of rotten grapes. The peasant offered Francis a drink of vinegar, and Francis accepted it gratefully, praising God for the sour taste. The novel explores the many facets of St. Francis's life and his legacy, including his deep love of nature, his dedication to the poor, and his radical vision of Christianity. It also examines the challenges that Francis and his followers faced, including opposition from the Church and the temptations of materialism.'The Vinegar Saint'is a moving and inspiring portrait of a remarkable historical figure. Mearns's prose is lyrical and evocative, bringing to life the beauty and wonder of St. Francis's world. The novel is a tribute to the enduring legacy of this beloved saint, and a reminder of the power of love, compassion, and humility in our own lives.

Catherine's Coquetries: A Tale of French Country Life is a novel by French author and journalist Jules Amédée Barbey d'Aurevilly. The novel was first published in 1861, and tells the story of Catherine, a beautiful and flirtatious young woman who lives in the French countryside. The novel explores the themes of love, seduction, and betrayal, as Catherine uses her beauty and charm to manipulate the men around her. Through her various coquetries, Catherine causes several love triangles to form, leading to heartbreak and tragedy for several of the novel's characters.'Catherine's Coquetries'is considered one of Barbey d'Aurevilly's most important works, and is notable for its vivid descriptions of French country life and its exploration of the darker side of human nature. The novel has been translated into several languages and remains a classic of French literature.

Not Under the Law is a novel written by Grace Livingston Hill, a popular Christian author. The story revolves around the main character, Beth Austin, who is struggling with her faith and the challenges of everyday life. After a series of events, Beth is forced to confront her beliefs and the role that faith plays in her life. The novel explores themes of love, forgiveness, and the importance of trust in God. Through the story, Hill provides encouragement and guidance to readers as they navigate their own spiritual journeys.

Never the Twain Shall Meet is a novel written by Peter B. Kyne. The book is a story that explores the themes of love, relationships, and cultural differences. The author focuses on the story of two people from very different backgrounds who fall in love, despite the many challenges and obstacles that stand in their way. The book delves into the complexities of cross-cultural relationships and explores the ways in which cultural differences can impact and shape these relationships. The author uses vivid and descriptive language to create a rich and engaging story that is both thought-provoking and entertaining. The book is a character-driven story that explores the power of love to overcome even the greatest differences, and to bring people together in meaningful and lasting ways.

'In Guilty Bonds'by William Le Queux, newly rich Frank Burgoyne falls in love with a Russian spy only to become involved in a massive, international plot concerning a series of murders. Excerpt:'Come, have another hand, Burgoyne.''I'll have my revenge tomorrow, old fellow,'I replied.'Why not tonight?''It's past two, and I have a long walk home, remember.''Very well; as you wish.'

Excerpt:'Concerns a Proposal of Marriage. “Then you really don't intend to marry me, Wilfrid?” “The honour of being your husband, Tibbie, I must respectfully decline,” I said. “But I'd make you a very quiet, sociable wife, you know. I can ride to hounds, cook, sew clothes for old people, and drive a motor. What higher qualifications do you want?” “Well—love, for instance.''

In The Wild Palms, subsequently titled If I Forget Thee, Jerusalem, William Faulkner interweaves two stories. In the story Wild Palms, it's New Orleans 1937. A man and a woman embark on a headlong flight into the wilderness of illicit passion, fleeing her husband and the temptations of respectability. In the story Old Man, the setting is Mississippi ten years earlier where a convict sets forth across a flooded river, risking his own chance at freedom to rescue a pregnant woman. The two interwoven separate stories are presented so that they each climax with their final chapter, one with a happy ending and one with a sad ending.

When Sir Percy, alias the Scarlet Pimpernel, delivers the Dauphin to his monkish protectors (continuing the storyline of Eldorado), he finishes his part in this story. But there's more, as the grown-up Dauphin's half-English stepson becomes the target of plots and romance.

Set in England and Russia, this fine historical adventure novel that takes place against the thrilling backdrop of the Russian Revolution.Das E-Book No Greater Love wird angeboten von Alien Ebooks und wurde mit folgenden Begriffen kategorisiert: Russian Revolution;Russia;adventure;british;classic;novel;historical

Step into the Roaring Twenties with'The Great Gatsby'by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This iconic novel immerses you in the glitz and glamour of the Jazz Age, where mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby hosts extravagant parties in pursuit of lost love, Daisy Buchanan. Through the eyes of Nick Carraway, the story unravels, revealing the dark underbelly of wealth and privilege. With lyrical prose, Fitzgerald explores the American Dream, love, and obsession. A timeless classic,'The Great Gatsby'is a vivid portrait of an era that still captivates readers today. Delve into the opulence and tragedy of the Gatsby era in this literary gem.ABOUT THE AUTHORFrancis Scott Fitzgerald, born Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald on September 24, 1896, was a celebrated American author of the Jazz Age, known for his iconic novel'The Great Gatsby'. His life and work epitomize the spirit and excesses of the Roaring Twenties. Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, and he attended Princeton University, where he began to nurture his passion for writing. His debut novel,'This Side of Paradise,'published in 1920, brought him immediate success, making him a literary sensation. However, it was'The Great Gatsby', published in 1925, that solidified his reputation as one of America's greatest novelists. Set in the opulent world of Long Island's elite, the novel explores themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream. Today, it is considered one of the greatest American novels ever written. Fitzgerald's writing was characterized by its vivid portrayal of the era's excesses and its sharp social commentary. He and his wife, Zelda Fitzgerald, became iconic figures of the Jazz Age, known for their extravagant lifestyle. Unfortunately, Fitzgerald's personal life was marred by struggles with alcoholism and financial difficulties. His later works, like'Tender Is the Night', also received critical acclaim but didn't achieve the same level of success as'The Great Gatsby.'Tragically, F. Scott Fitzgerald passed away on December 21, 1940, at the age of 44. While he didn't live to witness the full extent of his literary legacy, his works continue to be celebrated for their exploration of the American experience, making him a timeless figure in American literature.

Now an original Netflix film, directed by Rodrigo Prieto, cinematographer of Killers of the Flower MoonNATIONAL BESTSELLER'One of the best novels in Hispanic literature, and in literature as a whole.” —Jorge Luis BorgesThe highly influential masterpiece of Latin American literature, now published in a new, authoritative translation, and featuring a foreword by Gabriel García MárquezA masterpiece of the surreal that influenced a generation of writers in Latin America, Pedro Páramo is the otherworldly tale of one man's quest for his lost father. That man swears to his dying mother that he will find the father he has never met—Pedro Páramo—but when he reaches the town of Comala, he finds it haunted by memories and hallucinations. There emerges the tragic tale of Páramo himself, and the town whose every corner holds the taint of his rotten soul. Although initially published to a quiet reception, Pedro Páramo was soon recognized as a major novel that has served as a touchstone text for writers including Mario Vargas Llosa and José Donoso. Now published in a new translation from the definitive Spanish edition by celebrated Rulfo scholar Douglas J. Weatherford, and featuring a foreword by Gabriel García Márquez, this new edition of the novel cements its place as one of the seminal literary texts of the twentieth century.

Excerpt:'The man who writes this vivid tale of a pilot in the commercial air service of Europe today knows the scenes of which he writes and the spirit of the people who inhabit them, for, since the war, he has been one of the most active of all the American correspondents in Germany and Russia.'

After the Storm is a story about a young married couple who love each other very much. But unfortunately carried away by their self will and possession, that they buried their real love for each other. They are Lost in their mind and separated. Trying to find answers to their life at question, they realise each others love after a long journey of life. As part of our mission to publish great works of literary fiction and nonfiction, Sheba Blake Publishing Corp. is extremely dedicated to bringing to the forefront the amazing works of long dead and truly talented authors.

The book behind Fritz Lang's landmark 1927 science-fiction film Metropolis This book is not of today or of the future. It tells of no place. It serves no cause, party or class. It has a moral which grows on the pillar of understanding: The mediator between brain and muscle must be the Heart., Thea von Harbou, in the novel's original epigraph Originally published in German in 1925, this expressionist epic tells a story about class difference and love in a city that boasts technological growth at the expense of exploited laborers, contending with the relationship between advances in technology and social progress. Written in tandem with the 1927 science-fiction film of the same name, which was directed by Thea von Harbou's husband Fritz Lang, the story, through both the novel and the film, has inspired and influenced countless works of art, creating a legacy that extends across the science-fiction genre and beyond it.

Mary Cholmondeley was born in Hodnet near Market Drayton in Shropshire on June 8th 1859, thethird of eight children. Her father was appointed rector in 1874 in succession to his father. Much ofthe first 30 years of her life was taken up with helping her sickly mother run the household and herfather with parish work, and she herself suffered with asthma.Mary began writing with in her teens. She wrote in her journal in 1877,'What a pleasure andinterest it would be to me in life to write books. I must strike out a line of some kind, and if I do notmarry (for at best that is hardly likely, as I possess neither beauty nor charms) I should want somedefinite occupation, besides the home duties.'Mary began by publishing some stories in The Graphic and her first novel ‘The Danvers Jewels'adetective story followed in 1887. It was followed by Sir Charles Danvers (1889), Diana Tempest(1893).After her father retired in 1896, she moved with him and her sister Diana to Condover Hall beforeselling it to move to Albert Gate Mansions in Knightsbridge, London.Mary wrote the best seller ‘Red Pottage'in 1899. It satirised religious hypocrisy and the conceit ofcountry life. It was denounced as immoral. It also explored female sexuality.During the war she did clerical work in the Carlton House Terrace Hospital. The sisters moved in1919 to 4 Argyll Road, Kensington, where Mary died, unmarried, on 15th July 1925.

François-Anatole Thibault was born on the 16th April 1844 in Paris, France, the son of a bookseller and bibliophile.He studied at the Collège Stanislas, a private Catholic school, and after graduating joined his father in the bookstore, which specialised in works on the French Revolution. Several years later he secured a position as cataloguer at Bacheline-Deflorenne and at Lemerre before being appointed librarian for the French Senate in 1876.His literary career had begun as a journalist and as a poet before publishing his novel ‘Le Crime de Sylvestre Bonnard'in 1881. Praised for its elegant prose, it won him a prestigious prize from the Académie Française, which later elected him to its storied ranks.His works were profound and thoughtful and often couched in surreal and outlandish expressions; whether penguins baptized by a near-blind Abbott transformed themselves into humans or of a guardian angel who becomes an atheist, his stories turned established thought into startling literature.His short stories run in the same vein. The premise may seem plausible but his distinctive style turns them into an individual viewpoint which invokes both discussion and admiration.In his private life his relationships with women were often turbulent. A Socialist, he was a fervent supporter of the Russian Revolution and the early years of the French Communist party.He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1921 but the following year his entire canon of works was placed on the prohibited list of the Catholic Church, which he thought of as a credit to his name.Anatole France died on the 12th October 1924 in Tours. He was 80.

Sir Hugh Seymour Walpole, CBE was born in Auckland, New Zealand, on March 13th, 1884. His father was an Anglican clergyman which involved postings abroad. Walpole's early educated was by a Governess until, in 1893, his parents decided he needed a better education and the young boy was sent to England.He first attended a preparatory school in Truro followed by Sir William Borlase's Grammar School in Marlow in 1895, where he was bullied, frightened and miserable. The following year, 1897, the Walpole's returned to England and Walpole became a day boy at Durham School. His refuge was the local library and its books. From 1903 to 1906 Walpole studied history at Emmanuel College, Cambridge and there, in 1905, had his first work published, the critical essay'Two Meredithian Heroes'. Walpole was also attempting to cope with and come to terms with his homosexual feelings and to find “that perfect friend”. After a short spell tutoring in Germany and then teaching French at Epsom in 1908 he immersed himself in the literary world. In London he became a book reviewer for The Standard and wrote fiction in his spare time. In 1909, he published his first novel, ‘The Wooden Horse'followed, in 1911, by ‘Mr Perrin and Mr Traill'. In early 1914 Henry James, in an article for The Times Literary Supplement, ranked Walpole among the finest of the younger British novelists.As war approached, Walpole's poor eyesight disqualified him from service and so he worked, based in Moscow, reporting for The Saturday Review and The Daily Mail. Although he visited the front in Poland, his dispatches failed to stop comments that he was not ‘doing his bit'for the war effort. Walpole was ready with a counter; an appointment as a Russian officer, in the Sanitar. He explained they were “part of the Red Cross that does the rough work at the front, carrying men out of the trenches, helping at the base hospitals in every sort of way, doing every kind of rough job”.During a skirmish in June 1915 Walpole rescued a wounded soldier; his Russian comrades refused to help and this meant Walpole had to carry one end of a stretcher, dragging the man to safety. He was awarded the Cross of Saint George. For his wartime work he was later awarded the CBE in 1918.After hostilities ended Walpole continued to write and publish and began a career on the highly lucrative lecture tour in the United States.In 1924 Walpole met Harold Cheevers, who soon became his constant companion and remained for the rest of his life; “that perfect friend”. Hollywood's MGM studios, invited him in 1934 to write the script for a film of David Copperfield. Walpole also had a small acting role in the film. In 1937 Walpole was offered a knighthood and accepted although Kipling, Hardy, Galsworthy had all refused. “I'm not of their class... Besides I shall like being a knight,'he said.His health was plagued by diabetes, made worse by the frenetic pace of his life. Sir Hugh Seymour Walpole, CBE, died of a heart attack at his home at Brackenburn, on June 1st, 1941. He was 57.

An adventurous account of a trip into African darkness. Interesting story about Africa and conditions in the Arabic north. The narrative perspective around the begining of the 20th century is reflected in the language. Pretty solid adventure jarn. (Amazon)

'The Girl Who Knew Everybody'is a short story by Louis Bromfield (1896–1956), an American author and conservationist who gained international recognition, winning the Pulitzer Prize and pioneering innovative scientific farming concepts.

Who hasn't waited for a ride in the pouring rain and wondered if there wasn't something more to life? This is exactly how we find poor Mr. Owen, hopeless and downtrodden, wet and miserable. Suddenly, he is swept in through a doorway to a place full of wild imaginations, where loneliness and unfulfilled dreams are a thing of the past. Along with Messrs. Larkin, Britt-Britt and Dinner, the once completely ignored and abused Mr. Owen is pursued by women, has a constant supply of liquor, and hops from one off the wall adventure to another. He may lose his inhibitions, but he finds something he was in desperate need of, love. Miss Honor Knightly is everything he never knew existed and then some! This is a heartwarming tale of dreams coming true.

Depressed and indifferent heir of a vast coffee import fortune, Peter Van Dyke finds his life and high society engagement turn upside down when his secretary, Josephine Duval, determines that she will rescue him from his horrible fate by ruining him morally. After an amusing scandal involving a nude Peter Van Dyke, Miss Duval and an ill starred burglar in a coat closet, he finds himself cast adrift in a fog with a motley crew that includes a Bishop Waller of the Episcopal Church and a former nude model named Aspirin Liz. The enterprising party lands unceremoniously on the shores of one of New York's sauciest nudist colonies, and thus is the liberation of the coffee importer set in motion

“I was struck straightaway by the singular force of her taut, meditative, sorrowful writing.” -- Jhumpa LahiriA diamond-sharp, Italian classic about the mysterious relationships between two partisan couples in German-occupied Italy in the wintry mountains of PiemonteThis hauntingly beautiful, sharply modern novel of WWII is perfect for fans of Tove Ditlevsen, Rachel Cusk, and Lucia BerlinTranslated into English for the first time, A Silence Shared is a captivating classic novel that inhabits the silent spaces between historic events, depicting the mysterious luminosity of human relationships in extraordinary circumstances.In prose of subtle, enigmatic atmospheres and acutely precise images, Lalla Romano evokes both the tension and the stillness of life in occupied Italy.Sheltering from the war in a provincial town outside of Turin, Giulia and her husband Stefano feel an instant affinity with Ada and Paolo: she a spontaneous, vibrant young woman, he a sickly intellectual, a teacher and partisan in hiding.As the Germans begin to occupy Italy, a subtle dance of attractions between the couples begins, intensified by their shared isolation and the muffled hum of threat over a long, hard winter.

In the beginning of the story we meet our'Mr. Wrenn'a very mild, very ordinary American clerk. Mr. Wrenn was the sales-entry clerk of the Souvenir Company. He is described as'a meek little bachelor—a person of inconspicuous blue ready-made suits, and a small unsuccessful mustache, who was always bending over bills and columns of figures at a desk behind the stock room.'Mr. Wrenn is not happy with his life; he does not want to work for the Souvenir Company and he does not want to live at Mrs. Zapp's boarding house. (Goodreads)

The glittering, sharp and sinister work of one of our most incisive and wickedly funny satirists;'Isabel Colegate has no rival'(The Times)'What we feel for each other is really a passion for power,'said Judith.'We want to destroy each other by making the other fall in love with us.'Judith Lane, not-quite-beautiful but charmingly serious, is the young widow of the war hero Anthony Lane, and an editor at the successful if rather rakish publisher Hanescu Lane & Co. Ltd. But one evening the harmonious routine of Judith's life is interrupted when she receives her first visit from Baldwin Reeves, who reveals that Anthony's wartime adventures were not quite as glorious as the newspaper reports would have her believe. To protect Anthony's family from the scandal, Judith reluctantly acquiesces to the repellent but attractive Reeves's demands – but both blackmailer and blackmailee soon find themselves out of their depth in ways they could not have anticipated.Darkly funny, strangely sexy, and glittering with Isabel Colegate's scalpel-sharp wit, The Blackmailer is a savage and sinister comic classic.

Something long dormant in the reluctant hearts of two downcast London women sparks to life... When four women leave their drab lives behind to go on holiday in Italy, their lives are changed forever by the Mediterranean. Mrs. Arbuthnot and Mrs. Wilkins, while part of the same ladies'club, have never spoken. Lady Caroline Dester and the elderly Mrs. Fisher join their holiday so as to mitigate expenses. As these women come together and learn more about themselves than they ever thought possible, they reveal their true personalities and the backdrops of their lives that tend to hinder them. Inspired by the author's own month-long trip to the Italian Riviera, this novel is noted as her most widely-read work.

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.

'The forerunner of an entire school of African literary art.'Sunday Times Those men who are history now; did they feel like this? A 1950s Hampstead pub; a freezing night. Lois can't tear her eyes away from the haunted, restless African man in the corner. Over brandy and stew, she discovers he is in awe of her friend, Panafrica's greatest political writer and fighter. Their meeting inducts this stranger, Udomo, into London's revolutionary community of exiled African activists: the start of a life-changing journey. Amidst the internal politics and love affairs, Udomo is inspired by other leaders'independence uprisings; but when he returns to his native land to overthrow the colonial oppressors, his idealism is put to the ultimate test... Inspired by Peter Abrahams'befriending of future African heads of state in mid-century London, A Wreath for Udomo (1956) is a radical lost classic, unforgettably exploring the nature of freedom, power, leadership and love.

The Philanderer is a play by George Bernard Shaw. It was written in 1893 but the strict British censorship laws at the time meant that it was not produced on stage until 1902. It is one of the three plays Shaw published as Plays Unpleasant in 1898, alongside Widowers'Houses and Mrs Warren's Profession. The volume was written to raise awareness of social problems and criticise capitalist behaviour. The influence of Naturalist playwrights is evident by Shaw's constant reference to Ibsen in the play. The Naturalist theatre movement was a reaction to Melodrama, the Victorian theatre tradition of the time. Shaw wrote two endings for this play; the first ending, with divorce as its main theme, was discarded on the advice of a friend, the second ending resulting in a more conventional marriage. It is the latter that is usually performed or published, though the former is the more in keeping with Shaw's tendencies to criticise contemporary society.

Lady Athlyne is a romance novel by Bram Stoker, written in 1908. It was published one year before the release of Stoker's The Lady of the Shroud.

When Eastern society girl Beatrice “Trix” Lansell arrives in Montana for a visit with her brother, she is swept off her feet by the majestic, rugged beauty of the land, by the simplicity and satisfaction of ranch life, and by a handsome cowboy named Keith Cameron. But Keith seems to be immune to Trix's charms, and as a woman used to having young men eating out of the palm of her hand, Trix is a bit put out. As a beautiful prairie summer stretches out before her, Trix is determined to experience everything life on the range has to offer. Amidst a glorious season of hard work and play, Trix finds herself falling in love with the land... and with Keith Cameron. Piqued by her growing attraction to him and his continued indifference, and despite the disapproval of her mother and a would-be suitor, Trix becomes determined to make Keith fall in love with her and teach him a lesson about women in the process. But Keith has plans of his own—to teach Trix a lesson about life, and what it really means to love someone... (Goodreads)

The Man Who Laughs (1869) is a novel by Victor Hugo. Written while Hugo was living in exile on the island of Guernsey, The Man Who Laughs is set between the 17th and 18th centuries in England, a time of political unrest and class conflict in which he identified parallels to France of the 19th century. Although the novel was largely panned at the time, it has since been recognized as one of Hugo's greatest works. The Man Who Laughs has inspired over a dozen adaptations in film, theater, and comics, including a 1928 American silent film that served as source material for the Joker in the original 1940 issue of Batman. “Again the child set himself to sweep away the snow. The neck of the dead woman appeared; then her shoulders, clothed in rags. Suddenly he felt something move feebly under his touch. It was something small that was buried, and which stirred. The child swiftly cleared away the snow, discovering a wretched little body—thin, wan with cold, still alive, lying naked on the dead woman's naked breast.” Abandoned by a group of Comprachicos, criminals who buy and capture children for the purpose of mutilating them and forcing them to work as beggars or performers, the young Gwynplaine wanders the English coast alone. During a storm, he discovers an infant girl and her dead mother lying in the snow, and endeavors to save the child. Left with no choice but to rely on strangers, Gwynplaine joins a carnival run by the merciful Ursus, a man with a pet wolf. Horrified at first by the boy's disfigurement, which has left a perpetual smile on his face, Ursus agrees to care for the children and soon finds that Gwynplaine is a versatile and lucrative attraction at his shows. When the Duchess Josiana attends the carnival to see Gwynplaine, now a young man, she finds herself strangely attracted to him. This edition of Victor Hugo's The Man Who Laughs is a classic work of French literature reimagined for modern readers. Since our inception in 2020, Mint Editions has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh, professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover, all while maintaining the integrity of the original book. With thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.