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'1984'by George Orwell is a dystopian masterpiece that paints a chilling vision of a totalitarian future. Set in a world where Big Brother watches your every move, the novel follows Winston Smith, a low-ranking member of the ruling Party who begins to question the oppressive regime.Orwell's portrayal of a surveillance state, thought control, and the erasure of truth is eerily relevant in today's digital age. The novel introduces the concept of'Newspeak,'a language designed to eliminate independent thought.As Winston rebels against the system, he embarks on a dangerous journey for truth and freedom. The story is a harrowing exploration of the consequences of mass surveillance and authoritarianism.'1984'is not just a work of fiction; it's a warning about the dangers of sacrificing individual liberties for the illusion of security. It's a thought-provoking, unsettling, and thought-provoking read that remains profoundly relevant in our modern world.ABOUT THE AUTHORGeorge Orwell, the pen name of Eric Arthur Blair, was a renowned English writer and essayist. Born on June 25, 1903, in Motihari, India, he is best known for his literary contributions that challenged totalitarianism and explored the consequences of oppressive government systems.Orwell's early life included experiences as an imperial police officer in Burma, which profoundly influenced his views on British imperialism. His first notable work,'Down and Out in Paris and London', was published in 1933, recounting his experiences among the working class and homeless.However, it was Orwell's dystopian novels that catapulted him to literary fame.'Animal Farm,'published in 1945, is a satirical allegory that critiques the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism. In 1949, he released his magnum opus,'Nineteen Eighty-Four,'which portrayed a nightmarish future under a totalitarian regime, coining terms like'Big Brother'and'thoughtcrime'that have become part of popular culture.Orwell's writing style is marked by its clarity and social commentary. He was a passionate advocate for truth and freedom of expression, which is evident in his essays like'Politics and the English Language.'Sadly, Orwell's life was cut short by tuberculosis, and he passed away on January 21, 1950, at the age of 46. His works remain not only literary classics but also influential critiques of authoritarianism and the dangers of propaganda, ensuring his enduring legacy in the world of literature and political thought.

One of R. Austin Freeman's three or four best, although not one of his best-known books. The crime is modelled on the Maybrick case: murder of a chronic invalid by arsenic poisoning suspected by his brother, with suspicion falling on his wife.

Excerpt:'The measure of a man's popularity is not always—or indeed seldom—the measure of his intrinsic worth. So, when the earlier work of any writer is gathered together in more enduring form, catering to the enthusiasm of his readers in his maturer years, there is always a suspicion that the venture is purely a commercial one, without literary justification. Fortunately these stories of Mr. Kipling's form their own best excuse for this, their first appearance together in book form. Not merely because in them may be traced the origin of that style and subject matter that later made their author famous; but because the stories are in themselves worth while—worth writing, worth reading.'The Likes o'Us'is as true to the type as any of the immortal Mulvaney stories; the beginning of'New Brooms'is as succinctly fine as any prose Mr. Kipling ever wrote; for searching out and presenting such splendid pieces of fiction as'Sleipner, late Thurinda,'and'A Little More Beef'to a public larger than their original one in India, no apology is necessary.'

The Adventures of Dr Thorndyke features five short stories, each divided into two halves. In the first half of each, we get an inverted mystery set up, showing how some soul was led down a dark path to murder, and their subsequent steps to avoid detection. In the second half, the story completely shifts perspective, and we watch as series detective Dr Thorndyke applies scientific principles to uncover the truth.

Long cherished by readers of all ages: the hilarious account of an incorrigible truant and a powerful parable of innocence in conflict with the fallen adult world—from the author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and'the father of American literature'(William Faukner, Nobel Prize-Winning Author).'All modern literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn… It's the best book we've had. All American writing comes from that.'—Ernest Hemingway, Nobel Prize-Winning Author of The Sun Also RisesThe mighty Mississippi River of the antebellum South gives the novel both its colorful backdrop and its narrative shape, as the runaways Huck and Jim—a young rebel against civilization allied with an escaped slave—drift down its length on a flimsy raft. Their journey, at times rollickingly funny but always deadly serious in its potential consequences, takes them ever deeper into the slave-holding South, and our appreciation of their shared humanity grows as we watch them travel physically farther from yet morally closer to the freedom they both passionately seek.

'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes'by Arthur Conan Doyle is a thrilling and iconic collection of detective stories featuring the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal friend Dr. John Watson. This collection brings together some of Holmes'most famous cases, including'A Scandal in Bohemia,''The Adventure of the Speckled Band,'and'The Red-Headed League.'Conan Doyle's writing captivates readers with its masterful storytelling, intricate plots, and the unparalleled deductive skills of Sherlock Holmes. Each story presents a unique mystery that challenges Holmes'intellect and astute powers of observation.Sherlock Holmes, with his razor-sharp wit and remarkable attention to detail, remains one of literature's most beloved and enduring characters. Dr. Watson's faithful narration provides readers with a window into the world of Victorian London and the enigmatic workings of Holmes'mind.'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes'is a timeless classic that continues to enthrall readers of all ages. It has inspired countless adaptations, films, and television series, solidifying its place in literary history as the ultimate detective collection.Embark on a journey into the foggy streets of Victorian London, where mysteries abound and only Sherlock Holmes can unravel the truth. Arthur Conan Doyle's masterpiece is a must-read for anyone who enjoys the art of deduction and the thrill of solving intricate puzzles.ABOUT THE AUTHORArthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was a Scottish author and physician best known for creating the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Doyle's literary contributions spanned a wide range of genres, including mystery, science fiction, historical fiction, and more. Doyle's most famous character, Sherlock Holmes, made his debut in the novel'A Study in Scarlet'and went on to become one of the most beloved and enduring fictional detectives in literature. The character's brilliant deductive reasoning and keen observation skills set a standard for the detective genre that persists to this day. Beyond his detective stories, Doyle wrote historical novels, science fiction, and non-fiction works. He was a prolific author and a passionate advocate for various causes, including spiritualism and the reform of divorce laws. Doyle's legacy as a writer is marked by his ability to captivate readers with intriguing mysteries and memorable characters. His impact on the detective genre is immeasurable, and Sherlock Holmes remains a cultural icon, inspiring numerous adaptations and interpretations in literature, film, and television.

FOLLOW HER IF YOU DAREOne of the best-known and most popular works of Victorian English fiction, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is an 1865 novel written by English author Lewis Carroll. Translated into over 97 languages. Its characters and imagery have had a huge influence on popular culture and literature, and its ongoing legacy encompasses many adaptations for stage, screen, ballet, radio, art, theme parks, board games and video games. Due to Its play with logic the story has had lasting popularity with adults as well as children.A young girl named Alice was tired of sitting by her sister, who was reading a book without any pictures, when suddenly a White Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her. When Alice saw the rabbit take a watch out of his waistcoat-pocket and look at it, she jumped up and ran after him, as she had never seen a rabbit do such a thing before. Without thinking, she followed him through a rabbit hole and fell down a deep well into a subterranean fantasy world which was populated by peculiar, anthropomorphic creatures.Follow her if you dare, but beware of the world you are about to enter. You'll meet a childish, foul-tempered, decapitation-crazed Queen of Hearts, a strange, unintelligible duchess, a sleepy dormouse, a constantly late rabbit, a mischievous, witty Cheshire cat, a blue hookah-smoking caterpillar, a Hatter and a March Hare hosting a mad tea party, and a caucus race in which the participants run in patterns of any shape, starting and leaving off whenever they like, so that everyone wins. The best way to experience it and these amazing creatures is to read the book!

In this novel by the author of The Berlin Stories, a listless pair of siblings in post-WWI London battle the constraints of society and their mother. It's the 1920s—the wake of the Great War—and Britain is undergoing a transformation. The middle class is struggling, and the younger generation, feeling constrained by the values that once fueled the empire, is yearning to break free... A new war is brewing in the slums of Kensington, London. The members of one family are plotting daily against each other and themselves. Philip Lindsay has quit his office job and dreams of becoming an artist. His sister,Joan, is in love. To get what they want, they must first get away from their overbearing mother... Originally published in 1928, All the Conspirators was Christopher Isherwood's first novel. He later went on to write such works as The Berlin Stories, A Single Man, and Goodbye to Berlin.

A new edition of Beverley Farmer's classic 1980 debut, out of print for many years. Alone captures the emergence of one of Australia's most powerful and distinctive writers. Set in Melbourne in the late 1950s, and taking place over the course of two days and nights, Alone chronicles the feelings of obsession and hopelessness, isolation and desire provoked by the ending of an intimate relationship. A young woman, a fledgling writer, recalls her passion for her female lover, who has left her. She is estranged from her family and has dropped out of university, and is contemplating ending her life. As she travels through the night-time streets, industrial areas and boarding houses of a Melbourne fallen into economic depression and cultural malaise, she reflects on the days and months past that have brought her to despair. Written in a style threaded with gothic motifs, and shadowed by the constant threat of sexual violence, Beverley Farmer's debut novel captures the romantic intensity and ironic reversals of youthful longing. It displays her remarkable capacity for bringing different forms of writing together in a single work, prose and poetry, dialogue and dramatic monologue, as well as her reflections on other writers'work. Based partly on her own experiences, Alone shows the formation of a literary voice in writing that is both heightened and flowing, lyrical and precise. Praise for Beverley Farmer: ‘As she explores the frailty of emotional experience, Farmer places her characters in a luminous domain of elemental sensual experience…'— Cassandra Pybus ‘Beverley Farmer's expansive curiosity and regard for microcosmic significance sharpen a reader's attention to all things lived, dreamed, and observed.'— Josephine Rowe

Amazing Stories Volume 162 is a great collection of action short stories from'The Golden Age of Science Fiction'. Featured here are five short stories by different authors:'Blank?', by Randall Garrett,'Age of Anxiety', by Robert Silverberg,'The Men Return', by Jack Vance,'The Show Must Go On'by Henry Slesar and'Pangborn's Paradox'by David Mason.