Classic fiction: literary and general

Between 1904 and 1918, Wallace collected tales about life in the British Army and the escapades and adventures of the troops. These led him to create the eponymous character, ‘Smithy.’However, ‘Jam for the Enemy’ shines the spotlight on his equally scurrilous partner in crime, Nobby Clark.In this short story, Nobby comes up with a plan to use a crate of jam to scupper the advancing German army. However, as with all Nobby’s plans, the end result isn’t quite what he expected.A light-hearted look at life in the lower ranks, ´Jam for the Enemy´ is perfect for those interested in WWI stories.Born in London, Edgar Wallace (1875 – 1932) was an English writer so prolific that his publisher claimed that he was responsible for a quarter of all books sold in England.Leaving school at the age of 12, Wallace made his first steps into the literary world by selling newspapers on the corner of Fleet Street.He worked as a war correspondent after joining the army at age 21, which honed his writing abilities. This led to the creation of his first book ‘The Four Just Men.’Wallace is best remembered as the co-creator of ‘King Kong,’ which has been adapted for film 12 times (most notably directed by ‘Lord of the Rings’ director, Peter Jackson, and starring Jack Black and Naomi Watts).However, he leaves behind an extensive body of work, including stories such as ‘The Crimson Circle’ and ‘The Flying Squad’.

In 1901, the author – the real Elizabeth – went on a trip to the Baltic island of Rügen with her maid, a chauffeur, a friend, and a carriage piled high with their luggage.From this, she weaves a captivating tale of her encounters in this semi-autobiographical novel.A snobbish bishop’s wife and her handsome son, a dressmaker, and a long-lost cousin Charlotte form the basis of this story, as Charlotte tries to evade the pursuit of her husband.Elizabeth von Arnim's humorous novel ‘The Adventures of Elizabeth in Rügen’ will be enjoyed by fans of Thomas Hardy’s ‘Far From the Madding Crowd’.Elizabeth von Arnim was an English novelist – a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield – born as Mary Annette Beauchamp in Australia in 1866. She married a German aristocrat and her earliest written works are set in Germany.Von Arnim launched her career as a writer with her satirical and semi-autobiographical work ‘Elizabeth and Her German Garden’, published anonymously in 1898. Although she was known by the name May in her early life, when she began writing, her success as ‘Elizabeth’ meant that her writings were ascribed to the name Elizabeth von Arnim.

Written as a journal, ‘In the Mountains’ tells the story of an English woman who after WWI decides to escape her personal troubles in London and seeks refuge at her chalet in the Swiss Alps.She arrives exhausted, and as she begins to regain her strength, two English women also escaping their personal circumstances show up on her doorstep. The hostess invites them and, together, the three women embark on a strange adventure to help one another.A novel about women and escapism, ‘In the Mountains’ will be enjoyed by fans of ‘Thelma & Louise’.Elizabeth von Arnim was an English novelist – a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield – born as Mary Annette Beauchamp in Australia in 1866. She married a German aristocrat and her earliest written works are set in Germany.Von Arnim launched her career as a writer with her satirical and semi-autobiographical work ‘Elizabeth and Her German Garden’, published anonymously in 1898. Although she was known by the name May in her early life, when she began writing, her success as ‘Elizabeth’ meant that her writings were ascribed to the name Elizabeth von Arnim.

Between 1904 and 1918, Wallace collected tales about life in the British Army and the escapades and adventures of the troops. These led him to create the eponymous character, ‘Smithy.’The second book in the series ‘Smithy Abroad’ sees the eponymous soldier and his two mates, Nobby Clark and Spud Murphy, trying to scheme, connive, and bluff their way out of anything resembling hard graft.However, their plans have a tendency to backfire...A light-hearted and sometimes zany read for fans of humorous historical fiction.Smithy seriesInitially published in the Daily Mail, the ´Smithy´ series features a bunch of short stories about the everyday life of the soldiers in the British military.Born in London, Edgar Wallace (1875 – 1932) was an English writer so prolific, that his publisher claimed that he was responsible for a quarter of all books sold in England.Leaving school at the age of 12, Wallace made his first steps into the literary world by selling newspapers on the corner of Fleet Street.He worked as a war correspondent after joining the army at age 21, which honed his writing abilities. This led to the creation of his first book, ‘The Four Just Men.’Wallace is best remembered as the co-creator of ‘King Kong,’ which has been adapted for film 12 times (most notably directed by ‘Lord of the Rings’ director, Peter Jackson, and starring Jack Black and Naomi Watts).However, he leaves behind an extensive body of work, including stories such as ‘The Crimson Circle’ and ‘The Flying Squad.’

Da Andrea dør, finder moren hendes dagbog over den sidste tid. Et nyt billede af hendes datter som en ung kvinde med en seksualitet og en pubertetspsyke tegner sig.Med "Barnet" (1902) opnåede Karin Michaëlis stor popularitet. Her analyserer forfatteren på forbavsende moderne vis den kvindelige psykologi og gør den unge kvindes indre liv tilgængelig for sin læser.Bogen er skrevet i og med samtidens sprog og retskrivning.Karin Michaëlis (1872-1950) var en af sin tids bedst kendte danske forfattere nationalt såvel som internationalt. Igennem hele sit forfatterskab kredser hun tematisk om kvindeundertrykkelse og pigers og kvinders psykologi og seksualitet. Som ung rejste hun til København, hvor hun kom ind i det litterære miljø omkring Georg Brandes. Under besættelsen måtte Karin Michaëlis bosætte sig i USA på grund af sin mangeårige indsats for tyske forfattere på flugt fra nazismen, heriblandt Bertolt Brecht.

Þýskur verksmiðjueigandi fær óvæntan arf og skyndilega er allt breytt. Hann uppgötvar ánægjuna í einfaldleika lífsins og finnur á endanum ástina. Við sögu kemur amtmaður, sem er persónugervingur íhaldsseminnar, enda er sagan skrifuð sem ádeila á stéttaskiptingu í Þýskalandi á 19. öld.Bókin naut mikilla vinsælda á Íslandi áður fyrr sem hluti af Sögusafni heimilanna.Persónurnar og notkun á tungumáli í verkinu endurspegla ekki skoðanir útgefandans. Verkið er gefið út sem sögulegt skjal sem inniheldur lýsingar á tíðaranda og skynjun manna sem tíðkaðist á tímum skrifanna.Serían samanstendur af eldri sögum sem eiga það sameiginlegt að hafa verið eftirsóttar til lengri tíma í flokki rómantískra bókmennta. Bækurnar henta einstaklega vel þegar þú vilt gleyma þér í rómantík og ævintýrum gamla tímans.E. Marlitt er höfundarnafn Eugenie John (1825-1877). Hún fæddist í Arnstadt í Þýskalandi og var dóttir málara, en var ættleidd af þýskri prinsessu og send í tónlistarnám í Vín, enda hafði hún dásamlega söngrödd. Eugenie missti hins vegar heyrnina, en þótti skrifa svo fallega að hún var hvött til að skrifa skáldsögur. Hún eyddi síðustu árum ævi sinnar við ritstörf, en flestar bækur hennar voru skrifaðar sem ádeila á þýskt samfélag í samtíma hennar.

Za ciasno tej pani w tym pięknym gorsecie.W spowitym mgłą miasteczku Combehurst, w domu położonym na wrzosowisku, dorastają dzieci zmarłego wikarego. Grzeczna i wyrozumiała Maggie na co dzień ustępuje krnąbrnemu Edwardowi. Takiej postawy wymaga od niej matka, starsza służąca, a właściwie cały świat epoki wiktoriańskiej. Gdy dorosły już brat popada w konflikt z prawem, Maggie ma możliwość uchronić go przed więzieniem. Warunkiem jest zerwanie zaręczyn, które są dla niej szansą na szczęśliwe życie. Czy młoda kobieta znajdzie siłę, by zawalczyć o siebie?Wątki powieści zostały wykorzystane w brytyjskim serialu telewizyjnym "Cranford" (1972).Książka spodoba się miłośnikom twórczości Emily Jane Brontë i jej słynnej powieści "Wichrowe wzgórza".Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-1865) - ceniona brytyjska powieściopisarka epoki wiktoriańskiej. Urodzona w Chelsea w Londynie Elżbieta wcześnie została sierotą. Po śmierci matki trafiła pod opiekę ciotki mieszkającej w Knutsford w Cheshire - to miejsce będzie stanowić inspirację dla wielu jej popularnych książek, m.in. „Cranford". Jako młoda kobieta poślubiła Williama Gaskella, który oprócz bycia pastorem również zajmował się pisarstwem, i osiadła z nim w Manchesterze. Para doczekała się licznego potomstwa. Małżeństwo prowadziło ożywione życie towarzyskie, w kręgu ich znajomych pozostawali znani artyści, m.in. Charles Dickens oraz Charlotte Brontë. W swoich powieściach (m.in. „Mary Barton", „Północ i południe") obrazowała życie różnych warstw społecznych. Pisała także opowiadania o duchach w stylistyce gotyckiej, w czym kibicował jej sam Dickens. Znaczną popularność zyskała pierwsza biografia Charlotte Brontë jej autorstwa. BBC zrealizowało serialowe adaptacje kilku jej powieści, m.in. „Północ i południe", „Cranford" oraz wydane pośmiertnie „Żony i córki".

Bogobojność i okrucieństwo to często dwie strony tej samej monety.Lois ma w życiu pod górkę. Po śmierci rodziców samotna dziewczyna wyrusza w podróż przez ocean w poszukiwaniu krewnych, którzy mogliby się nią zaopiekować. Trafia do Salem w najgorszym możliwym czasie. Końcówka XVII wieku to w Nowej Anglii okres polowań na czarownice. Podpaść można bardzo łatwo - wystarczy być kobietą i próbować samodzielnie decydować o swoim losie.Zwięzła i poruszająca powieść zainteresuje miłośników twórczości Mary Elizabeth Braddon.Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-1865) - ceniona brytyjska powieściopisarka epoki wiktoriańskiej. Urodzona w Chelsea w Londynie Elżbieta wcześnie została sierotą. Po śmierci matki trafiła pod opiekę ciotki mieszkającej w Knutsford w Cheshire - to miejsce będzie stanowić inspirację dla wielu jej popularnych książek, m.in. „Cranford". Jako młoda kobieta poślubiła Williama Gaskella, który oprócz bycia pastorem również zajmował się pisarstwem, i osiadła z nim w Manchesterze. Para doczekała się licznego potomstwa. Małżeństwo prowadziło ożywione życie towarzyskie, w kręgu ich znajomych pozostawali znani artyści, m.in. Charles Dickens oraz Charlotte Brontë. W swoich powieściach (m.in. „Mary Barton", „Północ i południe") obrazowała życie różnych warstw społecznych. Pisała także opowiadania o duchach w stylistyce gotyckiej, w czym kibicował jej sam Dickens. Znaczną popularność zyskała pierwsza biografia Charlotte Brontë jej autorstwa. BBC zrealizowało serialowe adaptacje kilku jej powieści, m.in. „Północ i południe", „Cranford" oraz wydane pośmiertnie „Żony i córki".

A young women is kidnapped and made Empress of The Blazing World. Taking root in this new community, she adapts to the culture and ways of the alien population, exploring the vast universe with their help.But when an invasion looms, she undertakes the role of a military leader. Will our protagonist follow in the footsteps of Earth’s Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar? And more importantly, can she conquer the land she once called home?Serving as the only known female work of utopian fiction in the 17th century, Margaret Cavendish’s quick witted and insightful novella weaves adventure, romance and autobiography in one impressive epic.Ideal for fans of Apple TV’s hit adaption of Isaac Asimov’s ‘Foundation’ series. Scare seekers will also admire 2021’s fantasy horror-thriller ‘The Blazing World’, inspired by Cavendish’s text. ‘The Blazing World’ is a must read for utopian fanatics who dare to question it all.Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, (1623-1673) was an English philosopher, poet, scientist, fiction writer and playwright. Spending most of the English Civil War in France, she wrote in her own name during a period when most female writers remained anonymous.Celebrated today as the first female writer of utopian and science fiction, her work spans topics of gender, power, scientific methods and philosophy. ‘The Blazing World’ remains as one of the earliest works of science fiction today.Challenging the contemporary belief that women were inferior to men, Cavendish advocated for women’s education and became the first woman to attend a meeting at the Royal Society of London.

‘A Lost Lady’ is Willa Cather’s brilliant depiction of the decline of the American pioneer spirit and the bleakness of frontier life. In it, socialite Marrian Forrester lives with her husband, the ageing industrial magnate Captain Forrester, in the small town of Sweet Water.To the young, adoring narrator Niel Herbert, she is both bewitching and beautiful. The very definition of a lady. But Marrian Forrester is not what she seems and sparked by the death of her husband; her social decline lays bare her contradictions to the town.Published in 1923, Cather’s revered novel is an elegy to the pioneer west. The writer F. Scott Fitzgerald acknowledged its influence on his famous work ‘The Great Gatsby’ and the character of Daisy Buchanan in particular.Willa Cather (1873-1947) was an American writer who won acclaim for her novels that captured the American pioneer experience. Her books include ‘O Pioneers!’ (1913), ‘The Song of the Lark’ (1915), ‘My Ántonia’ (1918) and Death Comes for the Archbishop (1927) which was an instant critical success.In 1923, Cather gained widespread international recognition when she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for ‘One of Ours’, a novel set during World War I.Willa Cather was granted honorary degrees by Princeton, Berkeley and Yale and in 1931 she graced the cover of Time Magazine. The American Academy of Arts and Letters awarded her a gold medal for fiction in 1944.

It’s the smoggy, gas-lit London of the 1880s. And three young men—Desborough, Challoner and Somerset—are bored stiff. So this trio make a pact. They’ll alleviate their listlessness by seeking out adventures wherever they can.These adventures form "The Dynamiter", a collection of loosely inter-connected stories, which features everything from violent Mormons to ghostly mansions. Veering from suspense to comedy, it’s a fun and light read. And for Stevenson fans, an interesting curio because it’s his only book written in collaboration with his wife, Fanny van de Grift Stevenson.Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) was a Scottish novelist, poet and travel writer. Born in Edinburgh, he suffered from severe health issues for most of his life. Despite this, he still managed to produce some of the century’s most famous stories. These include the classic adventure "Treasure Island" and the horror novella "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde".Stevenson’s last years were spent on the Samoan island of Upolo, where he became an advocate for Samoan rights. He died in his home of a brain haemorrhage and was buried on the island’s Mount Vaea.

Sylvestre Bonnard, an esteemed ageing scholar of history and philology, finds himself on a trans-European adventure to track down an important manuscript. Whilst on his travels he meets the granddaughter of his lost love, a young woman named Jeanne. Impassioned to rescue her from the abusive life she is stuck in, Bonnard is forced to commit a crime of love to protect Jeanne.France’s tender exploration of the relationship between male rescuers and damsels-in-distress is interesting, and acts as a precursor to some of the more explosive films to explore this theme such as Martin Scorcese’s ‘Taxi Driver’ and Lynne Ramsay’s ‘You Were Never Really Here’.A profound, moving, and award-winning tale, ‘The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard’ is a must-read for fans of France who wish to connect with the author’s origins or anyone who wishes to take their first foray into his compelling body of work.François-Anatole Thibault (1844 – 1924), better known as Anatole France, was a French journalist, poet, novelist, and Nobel laureate for literature. Spending much of his early life in his father’s bookshop, France quickly rose to prominence as a respected author of over 25 works.A French Classicist writer with a style reminiscent of Voltaire and Fénélon, France’s work has a strong preoccupation with scepticism and hedonism. He is best remembered for his classic French novels ‘La Rôtisserie de la Reine Pédauque’ (1893) and ‘Le Crime de Sylvestre Bonnard’ (1881). France’s works have had a historic legacy, and he is recognised today as one of France’s most prominent authors.

The second book in the ‘Parade’s End’ series, ‘No More Parades’ follows the story of Christopher Tietjens. An Edwardian Englishman through and through, Tietjens is forced to leave his ordered life behind him and join the bedlam of the First World War.Drawing on his own experiences, it’s against this backdrop that Ford describes the domestic battles between Tietjens and his unfaithful wife.Tragic and sometimes harrowing, this book deftly contrasts the chaos of private and personal conflicts against a war that would change the world, forever.Born in Wimbledon, Joseph Leopold Ford Hermann Madox Hueffer (1873 – 1939) was a prolific poet, novelist, and literary critic, who would become better known by his pen-name, Ford Madox Ford. The grandson of the artist, Ford Madox Brown, he was educated firstly in Kent, before being accepted at the University College School in London.At the age of 21, Ford eloped with his childhood sweetheart, Elsie Martindale. After living at several houses, they finally settled in Winchelsea. There, Ford befriended a number of authors living locally, including HG Wells and Henry James.However, it was Joseph Conrad with whom he decided to collaborate, writing a pirate novel titled ‘Romance´. After a nervous breakdown, Ford went to recover in Germany, which laid the foundations for ‘The Good Soldier.’On returning to England, he founded ‘The English Review’ magazine, before being sent to fight in World War I. When the war finished, Ford spent the rest of his life travelling and writing. He leaves behind him more than 80 books and numerous poems.

One of Anatole France’s most mysterious and overlooked works, ‘Clio’ (1900) is a fascinating collection of historical tales that represents a huge digression from the author's better-known stories.In ‘Clio’, France delivers five tales from European history, spanning from the distant myths of Ancient Greece to Napoleon Bonaparte and the Revolutionary Wars.Throughout this collection, France delights readers with the breadth of his literary ability, using plays, poetic language, and prose to carve his pen through history.Fans of historical tales and Anatole France’s previous works will be delighted with this unique collection of stories.François-Anatole Thibault (1844 – 1924), better known as Anatole France, was a French journalist, poet, novelist, and Nobel laureate for literature. Spending much of his early life in his father’s bookshop, France quickly rose to prominence as a respected author of over 25 works.A French Classicist writer with a style reminiscent of Voltaire and Fénélon, France’s work has a strong preoccupation with scepticism and hedonism. He is best remembered for his classic French novels ‘La Rôtisserie de la Reine Pédauque’ (1893) and ‘Le Crime de Sylvestre Bonnard’ (1881). France’s works have had a historic legacy, and he is recognised today as one of France’s most prominent authors.

‘A Summer Evening's Dream’ (1898), a romantic, sentimental tale about second chances and first love, is a classic short story by the American author, Edward Bellamy, most famous for his socialist and utopian novel ‘Looking Backward: 2000-1887’ (1888).Elderly Mary Rood and Robert Morgan were once childhood sweethearts, and both of them now live alone on the same street in the village of Plainfield. However, when Mr Morgan pays Mary a visit during a full moon, long-forgotten memories are rekindled.Sweet and heartwarming, this quick read will delight fans of Bellamy´s other works, such as ´Hooking Watermelons´ and ´Deserted´.Edward Bellamy (1850 - 1898) was an American author, journalist and political activist. His novel ‘Looking Backward: 2000-1887’ (1888) was one of the most successful books published in the United States in the 19th century and influenced a generation of intellectuals. Referenced in many Marxist publications of the time, the book inspired the formation of Nationalist Clubs dedicated to spreading his political ideas.Bellamy’s other works include the novels ‘Six to One’ (1878), ‘Dr. Heidenhoff's Process’ (1880), ‘Miss Ludington's Sister’ (1885), ‘Equality’ (1897), and ‘The Duke of Stockbridge; a Romance of Shays' Rebellion (1900)’.

If you’re thinking of reconnecting with old friends, this suspenseful tale may make you reconsider.Frank and Northmour haven’t seen each other in years. Mainly due to Northmour being a bad-tempered recluse. So when Frank turns up unannounced at Northmour’s house, he can’t quite believe his eyes. His old college buddy is entertaining guests! And not only that, he’s due to be married to one of them.But there are some ugly secrets lurking behind Northmour’s transformation. And as Frank digs into the mystery, he’s pulled into a thriller of Italian crime families, fraudulent bankers and forbidden love.Hailed by Arthur Conan Doyle as Stevenson’s "high water-mark", "Pavilion on the Links" recalls the thrillers of Agatha Christie or Wilkie Collins.Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) was a Scottish novelist, poet and travel writer. Born in Edinburgh, he suffered from severe health issues for most of his life. Despite this, he still managed to produce some of the century’s most famous stories. These include the classic adventure "Treasure Island" and the horror novella "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde".Stevenson’s last years were spent on the Samoan island of Upolo, where he became an advocate for Samoan rights. He died in his home of a brain haemorrhage and was buried on the island’s Mount Vaea.

The aristocratic Phil Meredith chooses to marry Violet, a working-class girl from London, which raises more than a few eyebrows. However, when Violet decides to throw a party for her friends at her new country residence, she is murdered, leaving the guests in a state of shock.The arrival of two detectives, Merrington and Caldew, sets the investigation in motion. This is swiftly followed by the arrival of America’s greatest private eye, Grant Colwyn. Will he be able to work with the two policemen, or will he rely on his own methods to solve the case?‘The Hand in the Dark’ is packed with red herrings, twists, and turns, and is sure to have even the most dedicated armchair detective guessing until the last page.Born in Melbourne, Arthur J. Rees (1872 – 1942) was an Australian author and journalist. After a brief spell working for the ‘Melbourne Age’ newspaper, he acted as a reporter for the ‘New Zealand Herald,’ before becoming the editor of the ‘New Zealand Truth.’During his twenties, Rees left for England, where he worked as a journalist for the ‘London Times.’ It was during this period that he began his literary career, with the publication of ‘The Merry Marauders.’ Rees made his mark as a writer of crime and mystery novels and was most notably praised by the English crime writer, Dorothy L. Sayers.

The third novel in the ‘Parade’s End’ series, ‘A Man Could Stand Up’ follows the further trials of Christopher Tietjens. Set on Armistice Day 1918, the story sees Tietjens back in London, mulling over the events of World War I.So too, is his beloved Valentine, although gossip has spread about their illicit, romantic entanglements. As each debates their place in a post-war world, the main burning question is whether or not they can find happiness together.A beautifully-written and touching story from one of the best war novelists of the 20th Century, 'A Man Could Stand Up' will delight any person who is interested in World War I literature.Born in Wimbledon, Joseph Leopold Ford Hermann Madox Hueffer (1873 – 1939) was a prolific poet, novelist, and literary critic, who would become better known by his pen-name, Ford Madox Ford. The grandson of the artist, Ford Madox Brown, he was educated firstly in Kent, before being accepted at the University College School in London.At the age of 21, Ford eloped with his childhood sweetheart, Elsie Martindale. After living at several houses, they finally settled in Winchelsea. There, Ford befriended a number of authors living locally, including HG Wells and Henry James.However, it was Joseph Conrad with whom he decided to collaborate, writing a pirate novel called ‘Romance’. After a nervous breakdown, Ford went to recover in Germany, which laid the foundations for ‘The Good Soldier’.On returning to England, he founded ‘The English Review’ magazine, before being sent to fight in World War I. When the war finished, Ford spent the rest of his life travelling and writing. He leaves behind him more than 80 books and numerous poems.

Set during the First World War, ‘A Day with von Tirpitz’ sees Billy Best and Tam returning from a bombing raid, where the German naval commander is staying.When engine trouble and fog bring their aeroplane down, they need to work out whether they are behind enemy lines. However, their investigations lead them to an unexpected encounter.A taut short story, ‘A Day with von Tirpitz’ is shot through with humour and offers a fascinating insight into life in the British army, during the early 20th Century.Born in London, Edgar Wallace (1875 – 1932) was an English writer so prolific, that his publisher claimed that he was responsible for a quarter of all books sold in England.Leaving school at the age of 12, Wallace made his first steps into the literary world by selling newspapers on the corner of Fleet Street.He worked as a war correspondent after joining the army at age 21, which honed his writing abilities. This led to the creation of his first book, ‘The Four Just Men.’Wallace is best remembered as the co-creator of ‘King Kong,’ which has been adapted for film 12 times - most notably directed by ‘Lord of the Rings’ director, Peter Jackson, and starring Jack Black and Naomi Watts.However, he leaves behind an extensive body of work, including stories such as ‘The Crimson Circle’ and ‘The Flying Squad.’

‘Sultana’s Dream’ is an extraordinarily prescient story set in fictional Ladyland. The narrator, Sultana, falls asleep and is greeted by Sister Sara, who introduces her to the futuristic society she has apparently awakened in.In this alternate reality, men are shy and timid creatures, while women pioneer scientific breakthroughs, such as solar power and weather control.A fascinating and thought-provoking tale that leaves the reader to decide whether this is, in fact, a dream or a visit from an unseen future.Born in Rangpur, Begum Rokeya (1880 – 1932) was an author, political activist, and pioneer of women’s rights in South Asia. While her parents were wealthy, their religious beliefs meant that Rokeya and her sister were deprived of education. However, her brothers, who were both attending school, educated them by night.Rokeya’s literary career began when she was 22, with the publication of an essay, ‘Thirst’. This was followed up by two books, ‘Matichur’ and ‘Sultana’s Dream’. The latter took the bold step of reversing the roles of the sexes, in order to demonstrate what women are capable of contributing, given the chance. Her other works follow a similar thread, and Rokeya reinforced her beliefs by setting up the first school for Muslim girls.During her lifetime, she wrote 16 novels, including ‘The Fruit of Emancipation’ and ‘Education Ideals for the Modern Indian Girl’.

This collection of three plays written by two equally creative minds takes the reader on a wild journey. In ‘Deacon Brodie’ we follow the double life of the character of the same name, a politician by day and a thrill seeking thief by night - will his double life catch up with him?We are then thrown in to a vicious boiling pot of romance and violence in ‘Beau Austin’ where a womanising bachelor will have to move carefully if he hopes to survive. Spurned lovers, duels to the death and huge sums of money on the line, what more could you ask from a dramatic play?Finally we take to the seas, where some iconic characters from ‘Treasure Island’ will reprise their roles in a tale of love, hope of course lost treasure. It is an adventurous caper with wonderful characters, perfect for any lovers of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’.Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894), was an author with a formidable legacy. You will be hard pressed to find anyone alive today who has not come across his work in one form or another. The brilliant mind behind ‘Treasure Island’ and the ‘Strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’, has had a profound impact on every aspect of entertainment to this day with his brilliant creations. Despite dealing with ill health all his life he was a prolific traveller, spending his later years in Samoa where he fought vigorously for the rights of the natives, earning their love and respect. R.L Stevenson was a character in his own right, passionate and adventurous, his spirit shines through in his work, from his novels to his travel guides. You simply owe it to yourself to experience his creations, he was a true titan of literature on whose shoulders we all stand.

A famine in Rome among the common people is causing problems for the aristocrats too, including the arrogant Caius Martius, who is particularly despised by people and makes no secret of his own hatred in return.After earning the honourable title of "Coriolanus", however, Martius decides to seek office, but he soon realises that he will need the support of the people who hate him the most.One of William Shakespeare’s darker, bloodier, and more disturbing plays, ´Coriolanus´ has been performed by a plethora of wonderful contemporary actors including; Sir Ian McKellan, Morgan Freeman, and Tom Hiddleston.William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor. Known as ‘The Bard’, he is still regarded as the greatest playwright in the world and the greatest English language writer.He wrote poems and sonnets, but is probably best known for his comedic, tragic and historical plays such as ‘Hamlet’, ‘Othello’, ‘King Lear’, ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream’, ‘Romeo and Juliet’, and ‘Macbeth’.Incredibly influential and popular, his works are still performed at the renowned 'Globe Theatre' and the 'Royal Shakespeare Company' in Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was born and lived much of his life.

Originally published as ‘La Belle et la Bête’, Gabrielle-Suzanne de Villeneuve's 'Beauty and the Beast' was published in 1740 and is the oldest known version of this fairytale."A tale as old as time", ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is the bewitching fantasy romance story of Belle – a young woman imprisoned in the magical castle of a monstrous yet princely beast, where she is forced to "be our guest".This is an epic story that has captured generations of readers and will be enjoyed by fans of both film adaptations, from the animated Disney classic to the live-action film starring Emma Watson.Gabrielle-Suzanne de Villeneuve was a French author who published fairy tales and novels but is best remembered for writing the original story ‘La Belle et la Bête’. It was published in 1740 and is the oldest known version of the fairy tale ‘Beauty and the Beast’, which has since been adapted twice for the big screen including the animated Disney classic and the live-action movie starring Emma Watson as Belle.After her death, Gabrielle-Suzanne de Villeneuve’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ was abridged by another author, Leprince de Beaumont, who did not credit the tale’s original writer. Leprince de Beaumont is, therefore, often still wrongly credited as being the original author, and her shortened version is the one most commonly known today.

John Sands desperately needs a bribe. Fast.When an escaped convict turns up on his sofa one morning, John thinks he has found his luck. But will one criminal mind to another be able to dig John out of his murky mess?And more importantly, in a world where women are not expected to be cunning, will this convict be able to hoodwink John’s enemies?Perfect for fans of Netflix’s ‘Peaky Blinders’, Edgar Wallace’s alluring ‘The Million Dollar Story’ weaves a rip-roaring tale of crime and cunningness.Edgar Wallace (1875-1932) was an English writer so prolific, that his publisher claimed that he was responsible for a quarter of all books sold in England.An author, journalist and poet, Wallace wrote countless novels, short stories, screenplays, and stage plays, along with historical non-fiction.His work has been adapted into more than 160 films. In 1932, Wallace died suddenly in Hollywood, during the initial drafting of his most famous work, ‘King Kong’.

‘Main Street’ is the novel accredited with launching Sinclair's trailblazing career. Unlike his contemporaries Hemingway and Fitzgerald, Sinclair chooses to focus on middle America, the rural Midwest, rather than the upper crusts of New York and Paris.We follow a young, idealistic woman as she desperately tries to implement her grand plans to change her small town for the better. The novel teems with life, offering a view in to the very soul of America, the death of its healthy curiosity, and its desire to see the bigger picture.It is an entertaining and haunting novel that is built upon characters with incredible depth. There are no over-arching protagonists; they are all painfully, beautifully human. If you loved James Dean's ‘Rebel without a Cause’, you will love this classic.Harry Sinclair Lewis (1885-1951) was an American author and playwright. A Yale graduate, Lewis was the first American to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1930. He became renowned for his biting critiques and satire of American capitalism and materialism in the inter-war years.Additionally, he is remembered for his strong characterisations of modern working women in his novels. His most notable works include ´The Trail of the Hawk´, ´Main Street´, ´Free Air´, and ´Babbitt´.

The first novel in the ‘Parade’s End’ series, ‘Some Do Not’ is widely considered to be a landmark novel surrounding the events that led to World War I.We are introduced to mathematician Christopher Tietjens, who is locked in an unhappy marriage with his wife, Sylvia. However, his relationship with a young Suffragette, Valentine, is starting to become romantic, when he is called away to fight in World War I. Both his private and professional lives will conspire to change him, forever.'Some Do Not' is a stunning novel for all fans of romance and war fiction.Born in Wimbledon, Joseph Leopold Ford Hermann Madox Hueffer (1873 – 1939) was a prolific poet, novelist, and literary critic, who would become better known by his pen-name, Ford Madox Ford. The grandson of the artist, Ford Madox Brown, he was educated firstly in Kent, before being accepted at the University College School in London.At the age of 21, Ford eloped with his childhood sweetheart, Elsie Martindale. After living at several houses, they finally settled in Winchelsea. There, Ford befriended a number of authors living locally, including HG Wells and Henry James.However, it was Joseph Conrad with whom he decided to collaborate, writing a pirate novel titled ‘Romance’. After a nervous breakdown, Ford went to recover in Germany, which laid the foundations for ‘The Good Soldier´.On returning to England, he founded ‘The English Review’ magazine, before being sent to fight in World War I. When the war finished, Ford spent the rest of his life travelling and writing. He leaves behind him more than 80 books and numerous poems.

For fans of American history and the abolition of slavery, 'Clotel' follows two sisters who are the fictional slave daughters of Thomas Jefferson. After Thomas Jefferson's death, Clotel and her sister Althesa encounter many hardships, with the women making heroic decisions in order to keep themselves safe and preserve their families.A harrowing story of huge importance, 'Clotel' is the first novel published by an African American. With historic overtones, the story looks at how slavery destroyed African-American families and tore them apart, and the difficulties mixed-raced people faced living in the mid-1800s.Those who enjoyed Ellen Watkins Harper's 'Iola Leroy' should certainly explore this gripping historical novel!William Wells Brown was a prominent abolitionist lecturer, novelist, playwright, and historian in the United States. He was born into slavery in Montgomery County, Kentucky and escaped to Ohio in 1834 at the age of 19.He settled in Boston where he worked for abolitionist causes and became a prolific writer. His novel Clotel (1853), considered the first novel written by an African American, was published in London, where he resided at the time; it was later published in the United States.Brown was a pioneer in travel writing, fiction, and drama literary genres. In 1858 he became the first published African-American playwright and following the Civil War, in 1867 he published what is considered the first history of African Americans in the Revolutionary War. He was among the first writers inducted to the Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame, established in 2013.Brown was lecturing in England when the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law was passed in the US. As its provisions increased the risk of capture and re-enslavement, he stayed overseas for several years and traveled throughout Europe. After his freedom was purchased in 1854 by a British couple, he and his two daughters returned to the US.

‘Sanditon’ (1817) is written by the renowned English novelist Jane Austen. The story takes place in the fictional town of Sanditon on the Sussex coast, where Mr Parker, a local businessman, is determined to turn Sanditon into a fashionable tourist town.However, the arrival of his sisters and brother, a school party from the West Indies, and Sir Edward Denham soon have Sanditon buzzing with gossip, romance, and deceit.Full of all the memorable characters, humour, and tangled relationships we have come to expect from the author, this unfinished novel is a must for all Austen fans.‘Sanditon’ was made into a popular ITV series in 2019, starring Crystal Clarke, Rose Williams, and Kris Marshall.There are few authors as iconic as Jane Austen (1775-1817). Her body of work contains some of the most beloved books and characters of all time which have been in print for over two hundred years and sold millions of copies worldwide.Austen was a trailblazer, famed for her satire, her astute social commentary and her strong-willed, passionate heroines. Her ability to wield humour with realism has found her favour with critics and readers for generations.Her most famous works include Pride and Prejudice (1813), Emma (1816), Sense and Sensibility (1811) and Persuasion (1818), all of which have received success in adaptations for the screen, stage, and radio.

Með von um að bjarga föður sínum úr skuldafangelsi ákveður Crisa að kvænast Silas P. Vanderhault. Nokkrum mánuðum síðar er Crisa orðin ekkja einn ríkasta manns Ameríku. En hvers virði er auðurinn þegar Vanderhault fjölskyldan heldur henni sem fanga í sínu eigin gullna búri?Hún flýr í burt til Englands, en leiðin heim hefur í för með sér óvænt og dramatísk örlög.Barbara Cartland (1901-2000) var afar afkastamikill höfundur. Hún skrifaði 723 bækur á sínum lífstíma og af þeim eru 644 rómantískar skáldsögur. Á heimsvísu seldust yfir 1. milljarður af bókum hennar og hafa þær verið þýddar yfir á 36 tungumál. Bækur hennar hafa ávallt verið gríðarlega vinsælar og slóg hún met fjölda vinsældarlista. Hún varð að einskonar goðsögn sinnar lífstíðar og verður ávallt minnst fyrir rómantísku skáldsögurnar sem eru elskaðar af fólki sem trúir því að ástin sé það mikilvægasta í lífi hverrar manneskju. Vegna skilvirkni hennar hefur hún verið nefnd í metbókum Guinnes fyrir að hafa gefið út flestar bækur á einu ári og einnig var hún heiðruð af Elísabetu Bretadrottningu fyrir skrif sín sem sín félagslegu og pólitísku framlög.

Giorgio è il secondogenito di una famiglia benestante di inizio Novecento. Di carattere è introverso, tranquillo, con la testa impegnata a fantasticare, a inseguire le sue ambizioni. I genitori però tendono più verso Andrea, il fratello maggiore, di indole più spensierata.La vita di Giorgio, incastrata nelle dinamiche familiari e sociali tipiche della sua bolla, cambia con l’incontro di una ragazza, Ada. Con lei il mondo muta colore, gli angoli della città si fanno meno misteriosi, le strade più ampie, e il suo posto nel mondo comincia ad allontanarsi inesorabilmente dalla casa dei suoi genitori.Luciano Zuccoli von Ingenheim (1868-1929) è stato uno scrittore e giornalista nato in Svizzera ma naturalizzato italiano. Libertino ed eccentrico, Zuccoli ha collaborato con diverse testate giornalistiche tra cui il "Corriere della sera". Tra le sue opere letterarie principali ricordiamo invece 'La freccia nel fianco' e 'Le cose più grandi di lui'.