Classic fiction: literary and general

Engang havde Stephen Chisely alt, hvad hjertet kunne begære. Et godt omdømme, venner, et godt udseende og ikke mindst selvrespekt. Alt dette er væk nu. For to år siden begik han en skændig forbrydelse, der fik ham sat i fængsel.Nu er han på fri fod og har i månedsvis forgæves flakket om og søgt efter arbejde. Han forsøger på hverken at se sig frem eller tilbage, men en dag befinder han sig pludselig foran det hus, han havde været til middag i, den aften han blev arresteret.Da han får øje på sin gamle veninde Yvonne Latour, er hans første indskydelse at skynde sig væk. Han vil ikke belemre hende med sit selskab eller trække hende ned i andres øjne. Yvonnes reaktion overrasker ham umådeligt. Hun glædes over at se ham og insisterer på, at de skal sætte sig i parken og tale lidt sammen. Det møde bliver begyndelsen på Stephens nye liv. Pludselig virker alt muligt.”Kærlighedens under” udkom første gang i 1918.William John Locke (1863-1930) var engelsk forfatter af romaner, noveller og skuespil. Locke nød stor popularitet for sin letflydende, sentimentale temaer og elegante ironi.

Da August Bournonville i 1830 bliver balletmester i København, er det med drømmen om en nyskabelse af balletten i Danmark. I den historiske roman ”Kærlighed ved balletten” skildrer Theodor Ewald tidens liv på og omkring Det Kongelige Teater. Bogen udkom første gang i 1922.Theodor Ewald (1874-1923) var en dansk forfatter, journalist og oversætter. Han er især kendt for sine historiske romaner – blandt andet en række romaner om danske kongers elskerinder i serien ”Danske dronninger uden trone”, som hans bror, Carl Ewald, der også var forfatter, havde påbegyndt før sin død.

I erindringsromanen ”Fremmed fugl” beskriver Ingeborg Maria Sick den fremmedfølelse, hun i barndommen ofte selv kæmpede med, men forholder sig i øvrigt frit til virkeligheden og gør sit alter ego til en fransk pige, der kommer til Danmark, da hendes mor gifter sig igen efter farens død.”Fremmed fugl” udkom første gang i 1932.Ingeborg Maria Sick (1858-1951) var en dansk forfatter. Hun var økonomisk uafhængig og arbejdede i flere perioder af sit liv frivilligt som sygeplejerske i fattigkvartererne i København, London og Paris. Hun var desuden stærkt religiøs, hvilket hendes mange bøger også bærer præg af. Sick skrev både romaner, noveller, digte, biografier og et enkelt skuespil. Hendes bøger er oversat til flere sprog.

Ingeborg Maria Sicks ”Af jord” indeholder fem fortællinger, der alle har det til fælles, at de handler om menneskers hårde hjerter. Du kan for eksempel læse om Kaspar Zingler, der først bløder op, da hans lille pige bliver syg og er ved at dø …Bogen udkom første gang i 1907.Ingeborg Maria Sick (1858-1951) var en dansk forfatter. Hun var økonomisk uafhængig og arbejdede i flere perioder af sit liv frivilligt som sygeplejerske i fattigkvartererne i København, London og Paris. Hun var desuden stærkt religiøs, hvilket hendes mange bøger også bærer præg af. Sick skrev både romaner, noveller, digte, biografier og et enkelt skuespil. Hendes bøger er oversat til flere sprog.

Da Jack begynder at læse til læge, glæder han sig til ikke bare at helbrede patienterne for deres sygdomme, men også at lære dem at kende og gøre deres ophold på hospitalet så godt som muligt. Desværre har hans professor, Tubby Forrester, en helt anden tilgang til lægehvervet, og de to mænd støder straks hovederne sammen.Forrester mener, at man skal beholde så stor distance som muligt til patienterne, for kun ved at se dem som defekte kroppe og ikke hele mennesker, vil man kunne behandle dem så korrekt som muligt. Jacks studie- og arbejdsliv bliver en lang kamp, hvor han er tvunget til at arbejde sammen med Forrester. Imidlertid begynder de to mænd også at lære af hinanden, og muligvis bliver de endda bedre læger af deres rivalisering og uenigheder.”Brug hjertet, doktor” udkom første gang i 1946. Denne oversættelse er fra 1950.Lloyd Cassel Douglas (1877-1951) var en amerikansk præst og forfatter, der opnåede stor popularitet i sin samtid. Han debuterede som forfatter i den modne alder af 50 år, men nåede at udgive et væld af romaner, som blev oversat til flere sprog, inden han døde som 73-årig.

Dr. James Muchison har alt, hvad han kunne ønske sig. Sin egen praksis som landsbylæge, søde børn og en kone med et hjerte af guld. Desværre er der noget, der truer hans idyl. James er nemlig afhængig af alkohol. Alkoholismen er nedarvet gennem generationer, og James frygter, at han aldrig vil kunne komme ud af sit misbrug. Da hans kone finder ud af, hvor galt det er fat, kaster hun alle sine kræfter ind i kampen mod sin mands alkoholproblem og for deres families overlevelse.”En kvindes kamp” er en rørende fortælling om det godes kamp mod det onde og om en kvindes utrættelige kamp for at holde sammen på sin familie. Bogen udkom første gang i 1907.Warwick Deeping (1877-1950) var en engelsk læge og forfatter, der skrev en lang række romaner og noveller. Inden han blev forfatter på fuld tid, deltog han i første verdenskrig som læge i Royal Army Medical Corps. Mange af Warwick Deepings værker er blevet oversat til fremmedsprog, og flere var bestsellere. Han skrev både historiske romaner og samtidige romaner, der kritiserede det engelske samfund.

”Tror du, det er så svært at få et mandfolk forelsket i sig? Åh, gud! Det er den letteste sag af verden. De er så forfængelige, så det er rædsomt! Kan man bare få dem til at tro, at man er forelsket i dem, så er de der på øjeblikket. Det vil sige, det skal gøres fint – naturligvis; man skal ikke ligefrem gå hen og sige det til dem. Åh, I kan tro, jeg ved nok, hvordan man skal bære sig ad!”Det er frøken Nellys veninde Sofie slet ikke i tvivl om. Det er hr. Poulsen heller ikke, for han er blot en af de mange mænd, som Nelly har snoet rundt om sin smukke lillefinger. Da den lidt ældre og karismatiske hr. Winther gør sin entré i Nellys liv, må hr. Poulsen indse, hvor fast et greb den unge pige i virkeligheden har om hans hjerte.”Frøken Nelly” udkom første gang i 1886, og titelkarakteren er baseret på William Blochs senere hustru, skuespillerinden Anna Bloch.William Bloch (1845-1926) var en dansk forfatter og teaterinstruktør. Han blev student fra Østre Borgerdyd skole i København i 1864 og uddannede sig efterfølgende til jurist. Efter sine skoleår drog Bloch på en dannelsesrejse sammen med H.C. Andersen, der førte ham til Tyskland, Østrig og Italien. Efter hjemvendelsen blev han udnævnt til sceneinstruktør ved Det Kongelige Teater i København og blev i 1889 slået til Ridder af Dannebrog. Han var bror til maleren Carl Bloch.

Een veelzijdige collectie geschriften van Louis Couperus, in drie delen gevat in deze e-bundel.‘Proza’ verzamelt een grote diversiteit aan teksten van de grote romanschrijver Couperus: feuilletons en verhalen uit de periode 1908-1920. Deze bevat columns, reisverhalen en fictie, veelal sprookjes en historische verhalen. En af en toe geeft de grote Couperus ook schrijfles, met stukken over ‘Hoe een roman wordt geschreven’, beeldspraak en spelling. Afwisseling in overvloed, kortom, in deze dikke bundel.Louis Couperus (1863-1923) was een Nederlands romanschrijver, columnist en dichter. Hij is de auteur van verschillende onverwoestbare klassiekers: 'Eline Vere' (een bestseller bij verschijnen), 'Van oude menschen, de dingen, die voorbij gaan…' (verfilmd), 'De stille kracht'… Hij woonde o.m. in Frankrijk en Italië en reisde de wereld rond. Of zijn romans zich nu afspelen in Den Haag of Djakarta, het heden of het oude Rome, het noodlot speelt altijd een grote rol. Couperus schreef in een meeslepende, emotionele stijl. Zijn verzameld werk bestrijkt vijftig boekdelen.

You’re invited to wander the streets of Victorian London with the nation’s literary greats. Weaving a remarkable collection from the very best writers, tales of love and loss never felt so good…With classics such as Charles Dicken’s ‘Oliver Twist’, you’ll peak behind the scenes at one of the West End’s most loved musicals. You’ll then laugh till you cry at the lives of London’s high society in Thackeray’s ‘Vanity Fair’ and Virginia Woolf’s ‘Mrs Dalloway’.But it’s not all rosy and bright in 18th-century London. In Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’, we’ll question and query the true worth of excess. And if the streets of London weren’t strange enough, you’ll also be led down a gothic and gory investigation involving Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde…Crafting a rip-roaringly dramatic and vivid portrait of Victorian life in London, this impressive collection is perfect for fans of the silver screen adaptions ‘Oliver!’ (1968) and ‘Dorian Gray’ (2009).Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was an Irish poet and one of the most popular playwrights in the early 1890s. His works include ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ and ‘The Importance of being Earnest’Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) was a Scottish novelist, essayist, and travel writer. He is best known for ‘Treasure Island’ and ‘Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’.Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) was a hugely influential English writer. A pioneer in the narrative device of streams of consciousness, Woolf’s breathtaking collection spans ‘Mrs Dalloway’, ‘To the Lighthouse’, and the non-fiction title ‘A Room of One’s Own’.William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863) was a British author and novelist. He is best known for his satirical works, including ‘Vanity Fair’, ‘The Luck of Barry Lyndon’, and ‘Second Funeral of Napolean’.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was an English novelist and social critic, known for creating some of the world’s best-known fictional characters. His works include ‘Oliver Twist’, ‘A Christmas Carol’, and ‘Great Expectations’.

‘Tales of Terror and Mystery’ is a volume of 13 short stories from the prolific ‘Sherlock Holmes’ author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Stories in the collection include the mystery of a disappearing train in ‘The Lost Special’ and the surprising science-fiction story ‘The Horror of the Heights’. Full of classic Doyle mystery, this collection also includes some wonderful terror tales from the much-loved author.Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was a British author, best known as the creator of the world-famous detective Sherlock Holmes. Born in Edinburgh, he was educated in England and Austria before studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh. It was during his time at university that Doyle began writing short stories, submitting them to magazines and journals. His first Sherlock Holmes novel, ‘A Study in Scarlet’ was written in just three weeks and published in 1887 to favourable reviews, and more Sherlock adventures followed. By 1893, Doyle was growing tired of Sherlock and attempted to kill him off in the story ‘The Final Problem’, but public outcry caused him to resurrect the famous detective. He featured in a total of 56 short stories and four novels along with his trusty sidekick Dr Watson and made Doyle one of the best-paid authors of the time. The stories have been adapted multiple times; most recently in the successful BBC series ‘Sherlock’ starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. Later literary works included the Professor Challenger series which began with ‘The Lost World’, in which Challenger sets out to find evidence of prehistoric life. The book inspired numerous adaptations, including the films ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘The Lost World’. In later life Doyle became captivated by the world of spiritualism and the occult and published non-fiction works about his beliefs including ‘The Coming of the Fairies’. Arthur Conan Doyle died at home in 1930.

'Ovington's Bank' is set in 1825 and was published in 1922 but - as the Financial Crisis of 2007 demonstrates - is as relevant today as it ever was.The story follows a run on a private bank and is based on the British Panic that saw 70 banks fail. As the financial fallout lands, the gentry and the business classes scramble to save themselves, while being forced to examine their morals and motives.This pacey narrative features a mugging, a stagecoach dash to London, a theft and a love affair. Who will be the winners and who will be the losers in this game of life?This thrilling, nail-biting novel is perfect for fans of Wilkie Collins and Fergus Hume.Stanley J. Weyman (1855–1928) was an English writer who wrote historical novels in particular. In his day, he was as popular as Charles Dickens and Rudyard Kipling. Many of his works are set in the 16th and 17th centuries. Weyman's best-known works include 'The Cardinal's Cause' and 'The True Nobleman'.

Young Jolyon Forsyte develops a friendship with his cousin Soames' estranged wife Irene. As the friendship blooms into something more, Irene’s divorce is not going as smoothly as hoped. Instead of divorcing his wife Soames embarks on a far more destructive course of action.'In Chancery' (1920) was written by English author and playwright John Galsworthy and is the second novel in his masterpiece, 'The Forsyte Saga'. The Forsyte Saga (1922) is a series of three novels and two interludes published between 1906 and 1921, all of which have been adapted for television.John Galsworthy (1867-1933) was an English novelist and playwright, best known for his masterpiece 'The Forsyte Saga', which won him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1932. The trilogy depicts an upper-class English family in the years 1886-1926. It was adapted for TV in 2002 for the ITV network starring Damian Lewis, Rupert Graves and Gina McKee.In his stories, Galsworthy addresses social issues, family life, and the upper-middle class, in which he strongly criticised the morals and ideals of Victorian England. Among his other prominent works are 'From the Four Winds', 'The Silver Box', 'The Country House', and 'The Skin Game'.

Jules Verne’s “The Lottery Ticket” is a story about a message in a bottle with a twist. Hulda Hansen’s husband-to-be Ole embarks on a journey with a fishing boat with the hope to get rich and provide for his future family. However Ole never returns. The only thing left of him is a bottle with a note to Hulda and … a lottery ticket. Is it a winning one? What will Hulda win and is it going to be worth it if Ole is really dead? Verne masterfully weaves conflict, intrigue, and a strange chain of events around something as small as a piece of paper.Jules Verne (1828 – 1905) was a French author, whose works are thought to have seen the beginnings of the science-fiction genre. During his career, Verne wrote more than 60 novels, 54 of which were part of the ‘Extraordinary Voyages’ series. Many f his famous works have been adapted for film and television, including ‘The Invisible Man,’ starring Elizabeth Moss,’20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,’ starring James Mason, and ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth,’ starring Brendan Fraser.

Regarded as one of his finest works, Henry James' ‘The Bostonians’ (1886) is a brilliant satire about the women’s rights movement in America.Verena Tarrant is an inspirational feminist speaker, but her two disparate cousins are at loggerheads as they seek to control her future. Boston feminist Olive Chancellor hopes to turn Verena into a famous activist, while Basil Ransom, a southern lawyer, hopes to win Verena’s heart.Fans of ´The Bostonians´ might want to watch the movie adaptation from 1984, starring Christopher Reeve and Vanessa Redgrave.Henry James (1843-1916) was an American-born British author, and one of the founders of the school of realism in fiction. His inventive use of interior monologues and unreliable narrators brought complexity and depth to his work, making him hugely popular.A prolific writer, he published numerous novels, articles, travel books, biographies and plays. Among his best-known works are ‘Daisy Miller’ (1879), ‘The Portrait of a Lady’ (1881), and ‘The Bostonians’ (1886).Many of his stories have been adapted for TV and film, but it is his celebrated Gothic novella ‘The Turn of the Screw’ (1898), regarded as one of the greatest ghost stories ever written, that has been adapted more than any other. Most recently, the eponymous 2009 BBC TV series starring Michelle Dockery, and the Netflix series, ‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’ (2020).James was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1911, 1912, and 1916.

‘The Begum’s Fortune’ follows the plans of two scientists, the French physicist, Sarrasin, and German, Schultz. Each has a share in inheriting a vast fortune and sets about spending it on the project of their dreams. A humanitarian, Sarrasin builds the city, Frankville, dedicated to upholding the health of its citizens. Schultz, however, constructs Steeltown, which is devoted to the creation of weapons of war. Astonishingly prescient, ‘The Begum’s Fortune’ predicts a number of technological advances, including incendiary bombs, satellites, and even mobile phones. A taut and thought-provoking read for those with an interest in dystopian futures.Jules Verne (1828-1905) was a French novelist who became known as the ‘Father of Science Fiction.’ He wrote more than 60 novels, including ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’ (1864), ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea’ (1870) which was also released as a film, starring James Mason, and ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’ (1873), which has been released as a TV drama, featuring former Dr Who star, David Tennant.

The story of a young girl raised in isolation in preparation to marry the King of Ulster sounds at first a little outdated.That is until you call it what it is - an arranged marriage and child abuse.These are themes that continue to exist and they give 'Deirdre' a resonance in the 21st century.The girl at the heart of the story eventually falls in love with a young man and they run away to Scotland - cue much relief.There is a nasty twist in the tale, however, when she is lured back to Ireland many years later.The story, which is based on Irish myth and legend, has echoes of the 1993 movie 'The Piano', starring Holly Hunter and Harvey Keitel, in which a mute Scottish woman was sold into marriage by her father to a frontiersman in New Zealand.James Stephens (1880-1950) was an Irish novelist and poet who based many of his works of myth and legend from Ireland's past.Life imitated art when he created his own myth - claiming to have been born on the same day as literary legend James Joyce ('Ulysses', 'Finnegans Wake').His father died when he was two and his mother remarried, leading to his being committed to a boys' school when caught begging on the streets.During time as a solicitor and a registrar at the National Gallery of Ireland, Stephens took up writing.He is best known for 'Irish Fairy Tales' and 'The Crock of Gold', while he also wrote an influential account of the 1916 Easter Rising, describing the death of his friend Thomas MacDonagh.

Jules Verne’s, ‘Tribulations of a Chinaman in China’ is an adventure novel exploring the themes of true happiness, and the real value of life. Kin-Fo is a young and extremely rich man who suddenly loses his fortune. He decides that there is no point in living but, since it’s impossible for him to take his own life, he asks his mentor, the philosopher, Wang, to do the deed for him. Things go wrong when Wang decides to give the task to a bandit. However what Kin-Fo does not know is that there is a plan going on behind his back and he is to be taught a lesson he’ll remember for the rest of his life – however long that might be...Using humour, adventure and important life lessons, Verne questions whether we need to lose something in order to appreciate it.Jules Verne (1828-1905) was a French novelist who became known as the ‘Father of Science Fiction.’ He wrote more than 60 novels, including ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’ (1864), ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea’ (1870), and ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’ (1873), the last of which has been released as a TV drama, featuring former Dr Who star, David Tennant.

You’re invited to wander the streets of Paris with France’s literary greats. Weaving a remarkable collection from the very best romantic writers, tales of love, loss, and laughter never felt so good.With classics such as Victor Hugo’s ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ and Gaston Leroux ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, you’ll peak behind the scenes at some of the West End’s most remarkable musicals.But it’s not all rosy and bright. In 18th-century France, Charles Dicken’s ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ and Émile Zola’s ‘Nana’ portrays the harsh and raw reality for some of society’s most struggling protagonists. This collection will leave you questioning wealth and worth at a time when struggles were rife.Ideal for fans of ‘Les Misérables’ starring Eddie Redmayne, Hugh Jackman, and Anne Hathaway, this unmissable collection is a must-read for French history, art, and culture fanatics.Gaston Leroux (1868-1927) was a French journalist and author of detective fiction. He is best known for writing the epic novel ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, now a musical masterpiece by Andrew Lloyd Weber.Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880) was a French novelist and pioneer of literary realism. His work spans ‘Madame Bovary’, ‘Sentimental Education’, and ‘Three Tales’.Victor Hugo (1802 – 1885) was a Romantic writer and politician. Celebrated for his internationally renowned epic novel, adapted into the Academy Award-Winning film, ‘Les Misérables’, his literary output also includes ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’.Émile Zola (1840-1902) was a French novelist, playwright, and one of the most influential writers of French naturalism. Zola’s best-known works include ‘Germinal’, ‘Nana’, and ‘Work’.Celebrated as one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian era, Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was an English writer and social critic. His works include ‘Oliver Twist’, ‘A Christmas Carol’, and ‘Great Expectations’.

When playboy stockbroker Alvin Benson is found dead in his New York mansion with a bullet through his head, it sends shock waves through the city that never sleeps.Detectives descend - and so does amateur detective Philo Vance, who immediately notices that Benson's toupee and false teeth are missing.With the police always two steps behind, Vance sets off in pursuit of a mysterious killer. Along the way, skeletons fall out of every cupboard he opens in the homes of New York's rich and powerful.Can Vance dodge danger, negotiate the petty politics and catch the killer?'The Benson Murder Case' is ideal for fans of other amateur sleuths, including Agatha Christie's 'Miss Marple' and 'Poirot' and the wannabe detectives in Richard Osman's 'The Thursday Murder Club'.S.S. Van Dine (1888-1939) is the novelist pseudonym of American art critic Willard Huntington Wright.As an art critic, he was an influential name in pre-First World War New York, using a pseudonym when writing detective novels.He created the popular fictional amateur detective Philo Vance in the 1920s when he was seriously ill and confined to bed for many months.His 12 Philo Vance novels made him one of the best-selling US authors in the inter-war years.

‘North against South’ is Verne’s comment on the American Civil War. Farmer, James Burbank, is committed to the abolition of slavery, while former slaver, Texar, is a fervent supporter. However, Texar has another axe to grind with the farmer, as the result of his criminal past. Using all his wiles and resources, Texar conducts the perfect plan to exact his bitter revenge.At its heart, ‘North against South’ is an adventure story. However, Verne infuses it with social commentary and vivid details surrounding the Civil War and the lives that people led back in the late 17th Century. A tense and fascinating read for fans of films such as ‘Glory,’ starring Denzel Washington.Jules Verne (1828-1905) was a French novelist who became known as the ‘Father of Science Fiction.’ He wrote more than 60 novels, including ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’ (1864), ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea’ (1870) which was also released as a film, starring James Mason, and ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’ (1873), which has been released as a TV drama, featuring former Dr Who star, David Tennant.

What really happens when you meet your doppelganger?Well, if you are "dangerously antisocial" and your double is charming, well-liked and has the social skills that you lack, then they take over your life by pretending to be you!Dostoevsky’s novella 'The Double' follows the life of Golyadkin, a low-level official who is a dangerous sociopath. After a misadventure at a birthday party, Golyadkin has a chance meeting with Golyadkin Junior – his double who looks just like him.The theme of the doppelgänger runs potent in the story, together with universal ones like depression, sorrow, alienation, and social injustice. The only solution for the protagonist is the asylum, where his mind can finally be at piece.A sardonic, Gogolian tale of absurdity and social criticism that is proven to be a great read.Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881) was a famous Russian writer of novels, short stories, and essays. A connoisseur of the troubled human psyche and the relationships between the individuals, Dostoevsky’s oeuvre covers a large area of subjects: politics, religion, social issues, philosophy, and the uncharted realms of the psychological.There have been at least 30 film and TV adaptations of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s 1866 novel “Crime and Punishment” with probably the most popular being the British BBC TV series starring John Simm as Raskolnikov and Ian McDiarmid as Porfiry Petrovich.“The Idiot” has also been adapted for films and TV, as has “Demons” and “The Brothers Karamazov".

An alcoholic will always put their need for drink before their family and, sadly, this story is no different.'Netochka Nezvanova' is an unfinished novel by Dostoevsky that the author started writing before his arrest and exile to Siberia. Telling the story of Netochka, born in the family of a drunken father who drives them to poverty, the novel shifts its focus on the heroine’s psychological state and the resulting trauma from her “rescue” by an aristocratic family.A tale of tormented artists, family abuse, and melodramatic responses, 'Netochka Nezvanova' is a very eye-opening read.Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881) was a famous Russian writer of novels, short stories, and essays. A connoisseur of the troubled human psyche and the relationships between the individuals, Dostoevsky’s oeuvre covers a large area of subjects: politics, religion, social issues, philosophy, and the uncharted realms of the psychological.There have been at least 30 film and TV adaptations of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s 1866 novel 'Crime and Punishment' with probably the most popular being the British BBC TV series starring John Simm as Raskolnikov and Ian McDiarmid as Porfiry Petrovich.'The Idiot' has also been adapted for films and TV, as has 'Demons' and 'The Brothers Karamazov'.

Jolyon Forsyte may be an old man and the new owner of the Soames house, but he has struck up an unlikely friendship with young Irene. Over a long summer, he slowly falls in love with her and makes decisions that will send shockwaves through his family.'Indian Summer' (1918) was written by English author and playwright John Galsworthy, and is the first interlude in his masterpiece 'The Forsyte Saga'.The Forsyte Saga (1922) is a series of three novels and two interludes published between 1906 and 1921, all of which have been adapted for television.John Galsworthy (1867-1933) was an English novelist and playwright, best known for his masterpiece 'The Forsyte Saga', which won him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1932. The trilogy depicts an upper-class English family in the years 1886-1926. It was adapted for TV in 2002 for the ITV network starring Damian Lewis, Rupert Graves and Gina McKee.In his stories, Galsworthy addresses social issues, family life, and the upper-middle class, in which he strongly criticised the morals and ideals of Victorian England. Among his other prominent works are 'From the Four Winds', 'The Silver Box', 'The Country House', and 'The Skin Game'.

Deep dive into one of the greatest coming-of-age stories by the master novelist of the Victorian era, Charles Dickens.Charting young Pip’s experiences of poverty, prison, and fights to the death, ‘Great Expectations’ follows the entwined fates of wealthy spinster Miss Havisham, the beautiful but aloof Estella, and unsophisticated yet kind blacksmith Joe.As Pip journeys through life, his expectations are shaped and shunned by the people around him. Weaving the ultimate tale of good over evil, he must question love and loss at a time when social struggles are rife.The novel has been adapted into countless films and stage adaptations, most notably the 2012 blockbuster hit ´Great Expectations´, starring Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter.Challenging our preconceived judgements, social standing, and moral cues, ´Great Expectation´ is ideal for fans of Dev Patel’s ‘The Personal History of David Copperfield’ and fans of West End’s ‘Oliver!’Celebrated as one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian era, Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was an English writer and social critic, known for creating some of the world’s best-known fictional characters. His works include ‘Oliver Twist’, ‘A Christmas Carol’, ‘David Copperfield’, and ‘Great Expectations’.Exploring the hypocrisy of British society at a time when social struggles were rife, Dickens' work probe the institutions, rules, and social codes that formed the bedrock of society as we know it today. Articulated with wit, charm, and plenty of human insight, his work is firmly embedded in modern culture today.

‘The Castaways of the Flag’ is the sequel to ‘Their Island Home’ and the 47th book of the ‘Extraordinary Voyages’ series. A huge fan of ‘The Swiss Family Robinson,’ by Johann David Wyss, Verne decided to pick up the thread and, with the addition of ‘Their Island Home,’ turn one story into an unofficial trilogy. This, the final instalment, follows the fortunes of the family, as they finally leave the island and head for home. However, will its shores prove too difficult to escape from forever? A fitting finale to Wyss’ original tale, this book is for lovers of Verne and Wyss, alike.Jules Verne (1828-1905) was a French novelist who became known as the ‘Father of Science Fiction.’ He wrote more than 60 novels, including ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’ (1864), ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea’ (1870) which was also released as a film, starring James Mason, and ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’ (1873), which has been released as a TV drama, featuring former Dr Who star, David Tennant.

Deep dive into this crackling collection of ‘Classic Christmas Stories’ from the very best writers around the world!We’ll start by dissecting Dickens’ moral message in the famous and festive ‘A Christmas Carol’, before whisking away to Russia as one man attempts to secure his fortune and fate at a party in ‘A Christmas Tree and a Wedding’.We’ll then encounter elves, demons, and dungeons in ‘A Kidnapped Santa Claus’ while witnessing two troubled couples attempt to give it all in ‘The Gift of the Magi’. Lastly, we’re all invited to ‘Christmas at Thompson Hall’ as one unsuspecting woman is forced to face the festive season with her long-lost ex-lover.There are family feuds, festive fights, and plenty of personal politics in this crackling collection of ‘Classic Christmas Stories’. Perfect for fans of ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’.L Frank Baum (1856-1919) was an American author best known for his children’s books, particularly ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ and its sequels.Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821-1881) was a Russian novelist and journalist. His works include ‘Crime and Punishment’, ‘The Idiot’, and ‘The Brothers Karamazov’.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was an English writer and social critic, known for creating some of the world’s best-known fictional characters. His works include ‘Oliver Twist’, ‘David Copperfield’, and ‘Great Expectations’.Anthony Trollope (1815-1882) was an English novelist and civil servant of the Victorian era. His works include the ‘Chronicles of Barteshire’, ‘The Macdermots of Ballycloran’, and ‘The Warden’.O. Henry, the pen name of William Sydney Porter (1862-1910), was an American writer, celebrated for his short stories. His works include ‘The Gift of the Magi’, ‘The Duplicity of Hargraves’, and ‘The Ransom of Red Chief’.

The first werewolf story written by a female, Catherine Crow’s ‘A Story of a Weir-Wolf’ depicts the horrors of one man’s deadly secret - and fight for survival.Banished by those who loved him, he must now learn to manage the devil in his mind. And stop the horrors of his heart from awaking once the full moon rises...Reprinted in ‘The Best Werewolf Short Stories 1800-1849: A Classic Werewolf Anthology’, ‘A Story of a Weir-Wolf’ will delight fans of Netflix’s ‘Werewolves Within’.Catherine Crow (1803-1876) was an English novelist, children’s writer, and playwright. On stage, her writings reflect the trials and tribulations of family love and life, with ‘Aristodemus’ and the melodrama ‘The Cruel Kindness’.On the page, however, Crow turned to German gothic writers, leading to her supernatural works ‘A Story of a Weir-Wolf’ and ‘The Night-Side of Nature’ - the latter of which influenced the likes of Charles Baudelaire.Meanwhile, her children’s stories span ‘ Uncle Tom's Cabin’, ‘Pippie's Warning; or, Mind Your Temper’ and ‘The Adventures of a Monkey’. Crow remains today the first female author of werewolf fiction.

Rediscover the magic of Christmas with this classic collection from internationally renowned fairy-tale authors, Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm.Our adventure begins in the world of ice and snow as Gerda embarks upon a courageous feat to rescue Kai from ‘The Snow Queen’. And for those of us who need to relive and relearn the fantastical festive magic of the season once more, we’ll encounter ‘The Fir Trees’; a charming coming-of-age Christmas tale.Stories of selflessness, giving, and moral might are plentiful in ‘A Little Match Girl’, whilst we try to uncover the identity of the secret and silent helpers in ‘The Elves and the Shoemaker’.Weaving together a crackling Christmas collection of favourite fairy tales, this anthology is the perfect companion for fans of Disney’s ‘Frozen’ and C.S. Lewis' ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’.Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author and prolific writer of plays, travelogues, and novels. He is best remembered for his literary fairy tales ‘The Princess and the Pea’, ‘The Little Mermaid’, and ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’.Jacob (1785-1863) and Wilhelm (1786-1859) Grimm, known as the Brothers Grimm, were a duo of German academics, philosophers, and authors. They collectively published folklore and are among the best-known storytellers of folk tales, including ‘Cinderella’, ‘Hansel and Gretel’, and ‘Little Red Riding Hood’.

Penny-pinching bookseller Henry Earlforward harbours a desperate love for his neighbour and customer Violet. After he succeeds in wooing and marrying her, their marriage begins to fall into ruins as Violet’s spending clashes with Henry’s miserly nature. As Henry’s health begins to decline, their loyal maid Elsie attempts to keep the household afloat, secretly waiting for her shellshocked love, Joe, to return for her. Set in Clerkenwell, London, Arnold Bennett’s ‘Riceyman Steps’ (1923) is a bittersweet tale that marked a significant departure from his other works. Fans of heart wrenching love stories will enjoy this early 20th century classic that reads like a cross between Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ and Jojo Moyes’ ‘Me Before You’.Enoch Arnold Bennett (1867 – 1931), better known as Arnold Bennett, was an English writer of novels, short stories and plays. The eldest of six children, Bennett grew up in Staffordshire as part of a cultured artistic family. His first novel, ‘A Man From The North’, was published in 1898 to critical acclaim but little commercial success. However, his prolific output soon made him a successful author, and by the time of his death at 63 he was a household name with many published classics. Bennett is best remembered for his novels ‘Anna of the Five Towns’ (1902), ‘The Old Wives’ Tale’ (1908), ‘Clayhanger’ (1910) and ‘Riceyman Steps’ (1923). His work frequently dealt with real-life issues and have been loved for their relatability and the keen insight they offer into the everyday. Posthumously recognised as a literary genius, Bennett’s works have had frequent comparisons to those of his contemporaries such as H.G. Wells and John Galsworthy.

The ninth book in Verne’s 'Extraordinary Voyages' series, ‘The Adventures of Three Englishmen and Three Russians in South Africa’ details the adventures of a party of scientists attempting to measure the 24th meridian east. However, as they travel, war is declared between Russia and England, sending the party into conflict.Verne paints a vivid picture of South Africa, at the turn of the century. Beset by wild animals, natural disasters, and scheming villains, the scientists must either set aside their political differences or continue on their mission, separately. A romp filled with action, excitement, and more than a few stiff upper lips.Jules Verne (1828-1905) was a French novelist who became known as the ‘Father of Science Fiction.’ He wrote more than 60 novels, including ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’ (1864), ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea’ (1870) which was also released as a film, starring James Mason, and ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’ (1873), which has been released as a TV drama, featuring former Dr Who star, David Tennant.