Satirical fiction and parodies

For fans of Bridgerton, this classical gossip novel follows the lives of Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley as they deal with relationships with both friends and family.Set during the Napoleonic Wars, 'Vanity Fair' satires British society and how the upper classes worship money and social standing. Thackeray also explores illusion versus reality - are the affluent lives these people live really a normal reality for everyone?Known worldwide and sure to captivate you with its representation of 19th century high society in England, this classic will leave you questioning your own opinions of yourself and how you rank others' opinions of you.William Makepeace Thackeray was a British novelist, author and illustrator, best known for his satirical works, particularly his 1848 novel Vanity Fair which gave a panoramic portrait of British society.Born in British India in 1811, Thackeray was sent to England in 1815. He went to Cambridge University before leaving early to go travelling in Europe. When he turned 21, he got his inheritance from his father who died when he was only four but lost most of it due to gambling and the collapse of two Indian banks.In order to support himself, he turned to art, which he studied in Paris, but did not pursue fully; only using it in later years as the illustrator of some of his own novels and other writings. He died of a stroke in 1863.

In this witty and charming French play, the audience follows Madame Pernelle, whose self-importance leads her to leave her son Orgon's house because no one pays any attention to her. The only person who happens to meet her high expectations is Tartuffe.While Tartuffe's true character of being 'the Hypocrite' is slowly revealed to the audience, Madame Pernelle remains blissfully unaware of the fraud who exploits his victims by pretending to be pious.Madame Pernelle is on the point of leaving many times, but can't leave without having the last word and finds herself coming back to admonish or criticize one more person.Molière's ´Tartuffe, or The Hypocrite´ puts a satirical spin on religious hypocrisy and will delight fans of Shakespeare's ´The Taming of the Shrew´.Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known by his stage name Molière, was a French playwright, actor, and poet. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the French language and world literature.Molière wrote comedies, farces, tragicomedies, and comédie-ballets. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed at the Comédie-Française more often than those of any other playwright today.He was born into a prosperous family and studied at the Collège de Clermont which made him well-suited for a life in the theatre. Molière spent thirteen years as an itinerant actor, which helped him polish his comedic abilities. While acting, he began writing, combining Commedia dell'arte elements with the more refined French comedy.

We zijn in de 1ste eeuw na Christus. De schatrijke Romein Lucius lijdt aan liefdesverdriet, sinds de verdwijning van zijn geliefde slavin Ilia. Om zijn zinnen te verzetten reist hij naar Egypte, in het gezelschap van zijn oom Catullus (gek op lekker eten), de geleerde Thrasyllus (gek op reisgidsen), twee slaven en de gids Kaleb. Eerst logeren de toeristen een tijdje in Alexandrië, een bruisende metropool. Maar als ze daarna de Nijl afzakken, blijkt het hele land in verval. Memfis, Thebe, de piramiden, sfinxen, het Orakel van Ammon: alles staat op het punt in te storten en wordt alleen nog in leven gehouden voor het plezier van de toerist. "Antiek toerisme" is een lichtvoetige avonturenroman met veel knipoogjes naar het hedendaagse toerisme.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.

A lungo ritenuta una semplice parodia de "I Promessi sposi", "Gli sposi non promessi. Parafrasi a contrapposti dei Promessi sposi" di Cletto Arrighi si presenta come strumento di una polemica avente come oggetto aspetti culturali, politici, religiosi e ideologici del suo tempo. All'interno dell'opera, l'autore opera un vero e proprio ribaltamento dei personaggi manzoniani, facendo di Renzo un contrabbandiere alcolizzato e di Lucia una 'cocotte' campagnola. Ai personaggi della tradizione manzoniana, si aggiunge inoltre una galleria di ritratti richiamanti il panorama sociale e culturale dello stesso Arrighi.Carlo Righetti, vero nome dell’autore divenuto famoso come Cletto Arrighi (1828 – 1906) è stato uno scrittore, giornalista e politico italiano, tra i massimi esponenti della Scapigliatura. Fu anche autore di romanzi improntati a un verismo audace, ma grossolano. I migliori risultati li ottenne nelle commedie dialettali che si inseriscono in un programma di rinnovamento del teatro milanese.

Do you like 'Pretty Woman', with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere? Do you love 'Maid in Manhattan', starring Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes? And how about little orphan 'Annie'? Well, 'Pygmalion' is the play that paved the ways for these - and countless other - rags-to-riches films, plays, and books.In it, phonetics scientist professor Henry Higgins and linguist Colonel Pickering make a bet. The scientist wagers that he can turn Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle into a woman with the poise and diction of a duchess.She is given new clothes, speech lessons - and subjected to merciless ridicule. Becoming Shaw's most famous play, ´Pygmalion´ throws blinding light on the invidious habits and traditions at both levels of society.George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) was a giant of the literary and political world at the end of the 19th century and deep into the 20th century. Best known as a playwright, he was also a famous critic, political activist and polemicist, stoking controversy to provoke debate.His first successful play was 'Arms and the Man', which was followed by classics including 'Man and Superman' and 'Pygmalion', which was turned into the musical 'My Fair Lady'.In 1925, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. His opinions still divide critics, but he is widely acknowledged as second only to William Shakespeare as a playwright.

"Da han kom hjem, stod hans far i døren med en mine, som om han havde krav på at vide, hvor han havde været. Bing var på sammenbruddets rand. Han orkede ikke at skændes med faderen. Mekanisk begyndte han at klæde sig af og tage nattøjet på, mens han lod faderen snakke. Det gjorde alligevel ingen forskel. Da han slukkede lyset, frygtede han, at faderen skulle hoppe op i sengen til ham og fortsætte sin snak der, men det skete ikke."Til trods for at Bing har en høj stilling i et ministerium, er hans far altid skuffet og sur. Bing spørger tit sig selv, hvordan man griber det an, når man vil have en af sine forældre på plejehjem, men han kan ikke tage sig sammen til at finde ud af det. Arbejdet i ministeriet er lige så grotesk og absurd som faderens endeløse talestrøm, og Bing nærmer sig afgrundens rand med sneglefart uden at være i stand til at dreje af.Ulrich Horst Petersen (f. 1936) er en dansk forfatter og jurist, der har vundet et væld af priser for sine mange bøger. Han har udgivet essays, skønlitteratur og erindringer.

Hvor meget kan man få rettroende katolikker til at gøre ved at spille på deres religiøse følelser og deres hengivenhed over for paven? Det sætter en række svindlere sig for at afprøve ved at sprede falske rygter om, at paven i Vatikanet er en bedrager, og at den rigtige pave bliver holdt fanget et sted i Vatikanets kældre. I løbet af André Gides satiriske roman stifter vi bekendtskab med en lang række tvivlsomme eksistenser og godtroende katolikker, der hellere end gerne overdrager deres penge til den sande paves befrielse. Romanen udstiller nådesløst og bidende satirisk absurditeterne ved den katolske kirke i starten af det 20. århundrede.Franskmanden André Gide (1869-1951) var en af sin tids vigtigste forfattere. I 1947 modtog han Nobelprisen i litteratur. I 1891 udkom hans første roman "André Walters dagbøger", som gav ham adgang til de parisiske symbolistkredse omkring Mallarmé. Han opnåede litterær berømmelse primært som romanforfatter og dagbogsforfatter.

Otto Ludwig leverede gennem sine mange år som journalist over 100.000 aforismer til Det fri Aktuelt. Til denne bog har han skrevet helt nye, der alle handler om de kendtes verden, snobber og sladderjournalistik. Mange gør sig anstrengelser for at blive kendte – og når det så lykkes, gør de sig lige så mange anstrengelser for at få lov at være i fred! Visse aviser og ugeblade har endda specialiseret sig i snobberi og sladder, for den slags sælger nemlig godt. Som resultat af dette jages kongelige og andre kendte nu året rundt, og i mange tilfælde er der ligefrem tale om grov krænkelse af privatlivets fred. Bogen bringer mange eksempler på uheldige situationer, som disse er havnet i, men også muntre historier om de kendtes problemer med sladderpressen.Otto Ludwig (1923-2012) var journalist og forfatter. Ludwig fødtes på Amager som søn af en servicechef, og gjorde under Anden Verdenskrig tjeneste i søværnet. Mest kendt er Ludwig fra sine 30 år som journalist på Det fri Aktuelt, hvor han også underholdte læserne med aforismer og underfundige formuleringer i sektionen Lodvi's Tankebox. Ludwig udgav en mængde bøger, blandt disse flere satiriske og flere selvbiografiske værker.

Un renard flatte un corbeau pour lui voler son fromage ; une tortue gagne une course contre un lièvre présomptueux ; un rat délivre un lion de ses mailles…Voici quelques unes des deux cent quarante trois fables de ce recueil légendaire où les animaux prennent la parole pour instruire les hommes. Qu'on les connaisse de mémoire, de nos lectures du soir, ou simplement de nom, ces fables constituent un outil de connaissance, l'identité de notre pays, et, depuis des siècles, contribuent à orienter nos expériences de vie — enfants comme adultes…Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695) est le plus grand fabuliste du XVIIe, principalement connu pour ses « Fables ». Inspiré de l'Antiquité gréco-latine et en particulier d'Ésope, il maîtrise avec perfection les vers. Il est aussi auteur de contes, poèmes et pièces de théâtre qui confirment tous ses motivations de moraliste.

Irma är inte bara sekreterare i Socialdemokraternas Utrikespolitiska grupp. Hon är även rumänsk ambassadör, tysk byggentreprenör och norskt polisbefäl, i alla fall när partnern och länsrådet Åke måste öva inför jobbet. För att han bryr sig om henne har Åke övertygat Irma om att hon inte är lämpad för några större uppgifter än att vara sekreterare och hon finner sig i sin tillvaro, till omgivningens förvåning. Irma är nämligen mer än kompetent och handlingskraftig, något som partitoppen faktiskt lagt märke till.Valet om EU-parlamentet nalkas, men Irma har fokus på den ouppnåelige Fred, totalt omedveten om att hon snart kommer att befinna sig i Europas mitt.Sten Wennerström, född 1955, är ekonom och statsvetare med bakgrund inom finans och media. Han debuterade 2009 med "Grisen" som blev den första i serien om agenten Axel Turner. Utöver det har han skrivit politiska satirer.

‘The Spark’ is the third of four books set in Old New York. When Hayley Delane discovers that there’s more to his mentor than meets the eye, he realises that he needs to change his way of thinking. ‘The Spark’ is a poignant and often funny exploration of the relationship between two men. At the same time, Wharton uses the novella to take some acerbic pot-shots at a society where appearance seems to carry more weight than genuine goodness. An elegant and humorous story about stories themselves.Edith Wharton (1862 – 1937) was an American designer and novelist. Born in an era when the highest ambition a woman could aspire to was a good marriage, Wharton went on to become one of America’s most celebrated authors. During her career, she wrote over 40 books, using her wealthy upbringing to bring authenticity and detail to stories about the upper classes. She moved to France in 1923, where she continued to write until her death.

‘Xingu’ lampoons the leisurely lives of six ladies who lunch. Having formed a literary club, the six pseudo-intellectuals are thrown into panic at the prospect of being visited by a famous author.With sparkling dialogue and some wry observations about the lives of the upper classes, ‘Xingu’ is a biting satire on women’s place in the society of the time.A superb read, with an unexpected and riotous denouement.Edith Wharton (1862 – 1937) was an American designer and novelist. Born in an era when the highest ambition a woman could aspire to was a good marriage, Wharton went on to become one of America’s most celebrated authors. During her career, she wrote over 40 books, using her wealthy upbringing to bring authenticity and detail to stories about the upper classes. She moved to France in 1923, where she continued to write until her death.

In this collection of satiric essays, Ambrose Bierce offers his provoking outlook on a series of subjects. This collection includes, "Civilization", "Immortality", "The Death Penalty", "The Gift o' Gab", "Natura Benigna", "Emancipated Woman", "A Mad World", and "Epigrams of a Cynic".Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) was an American writer, journalist, critic, poet, and Civil War veteran, best known for "The Devil's Dictionary" (1911). He dominated the horror genre as the preeminent innovator of supernatural storytelling in the period between the death of Edgar Allan Poe and the rise of H.P. Lovecraft. Bierce’s death was as mysterious as his strange stories; sometime around 1914 he left for Mexico, wanting to experience the Mexican Revolution firsthand, and was never to be seen again.

Piękna księżniczka, która w zamkowej wieży oczekuje dzielnego wybawcy, jej srogi ojciec, smok grożący śmiercią wszystkim rycerzom chętnym wybawić piękność z niewoli... Kto z nas nie zna słynnego baśniowego schematu? Tym razem klasyka podlega licznym i arcyzabawnym modyfikacjom. Uwięziona księżniczka czaruje nie tyleż urodą, co ciętym dowcipem, strażnik wzbudza uśmiech oraz sympatię czytelników, a smok okazuje się smoczycą Paskudą, z wielkim zaangażowaniem konsumującą niedoszłych wybawicieli księżniczki. Pełna humoru opowieść o niebanalnym trio spodoba się wszystkim miłośnikom przełamywania schematów oraz fanom kultowego „Shreka".Magdalena Kozak - pisarka, autorka powieści fantastycznych, lekarz, żołnierz. Jej literackim debiutem jest opowiadanie Nuda, a pierwsza powieść – Nocarz – doczekała kontynuacji w powieściach Renegat, Nikt i Młody. Wśród jej powieści znajdują się także, m.in., Fiolet, Łzy diabła oraz Paskuda & Co. Smoczyca Paskuda jest ponadto bohaterką wielu opowiadań autorki. Magdalena Kozak była nominowana do Nagrody Literackiej Jerzego Żuławskiego (za powieść Łzy diabła), czterokrotnie do nagrody Nautilus (powieści Nocarz i Renegat, opowiadania Operacja „Faust" oraz Cynglarze), a także pięciokrotnie do Nagrody Fandomu Polskiego imienia Janusza A. Zajdla (powieści Nocarz, Renegat, Nikt, Łzy diabła i opowiadania Sznurki przeznaczenia oraz Strasznie mi się podobasz). Kozak pasjonuje się strzelectwem oraz skacze ze spadochronem.

Sainete de comedia ambientado en la España rural, cerca de Madrid. La breve obra de teatro sigue a Marta, la hija de un rico labrador. Marta ha sido comprometida con el notario del pueblo, un hombre recto y aburrido. La joven estaba entusiasmada al principio, pero después de un viaje a Madrid, sus inclinaciones hacia el futuro empiezan a cambiar, pues ahí ha conocido a Serapio, un hombre astuto que quiere convertir a la muchacha en madama.Ramón de la Cruz (Madrid, 1731-1794) fue escritor y dramaturgo español, uno de los más prolíficos de su época. Estudió bajo la protección del duque de Alba y ya en su juventud escribió obras de teatro, sobre todo tragedias y comedias. También trabajó de traductor de algunos de sus autores franceses preferidos, como Voltaire. Sus conexiones y su capacidad para crear sainetes populares lo llevó a trabajar para la Corte y a producir, entre dramas, sainetes y zarzuelas, más de 500 obras. Fue uno de los mejores amigos de Goya.

Who would have known that "the father of Science Fiction" also wrote satire about stuffed animals?H.G. Wells' short story 'The Triumphs of a Taxidermist' was first published anonymously in 1894 and reprinted in 'The Stolen Bacillus and Other Incidents' a year later. 'The Triumphs of a Taxidermist' sees the character Bellows visit a friend, the titular Taxidermist, who enthusiastically recounts tales of forgery, crime, and far-fetched claims to fame from his career in this humorous and satirical look at English culture.H.G. Wells (1866 – 1946) was a prolific writer and the author of more than 50 novels. In addition, we wrote more than 60 short stories, alongside various scientific papers. Many of his most famous works have been adapted for film and television, including ‘The Time Machine,’ starring Guy Pearce, ‘War of the Worlds,’ starring Tom Cruise, and ‘The Invisible Man,’ starring Elizabeth Moss. Because of his various works exploring futuristic themes, Wells is regarded as one of the ‘Fathers of Science Fiction.’

Алонсо Кихано е обикновен благородник, познат на малцина. Прекарва дните си в четене на рицарски романи и се вглъбява в тях дотолкова, че самият той започва да се възприема като такъв. Алонсо Кихано става Дон Кихот.Самопровъзгласява се за рицар, подготвя доспехите си и заедно със своя стар кон се отправят на подвизи. Подвизите обаче, за едни налудничави, за други досадни, не са така леки, и Дон Кихот има нужда от помощта на своя стар съсед, когото провъзгласява за оръженосец. Дон Кихот, Санчо Панса и конят Ронсинант се изправят срещу вятърни мелници и насилници, забъркват се в конфликти, постигат геройства, предизвикват присмех. Докъде ще ги отведе приключението им? Ще получи ли Санчо Панса обещания му остров? Ще осъзнае ли Дон Кихот състоянието си, преди то да го доведе до необратима опасност?Мигел де Сервантес е испански писател, романист и поет, живял в периода 1547 – 1616 год. Трудностите в живота на Сервантес са не една и две. Бива пленен от алжирски пирати и в продължение на пет години е роб. Попада в затвора и преминава през финансов банкрут два пъти. Първите години от неговото творчество не водят до успех, а пиесите му не се радват на широка популярност. Животът му обаче се променя с публикуването на „Хитроумният идалго Дон Кихот де Ла Манча“ през 1605 година – творба, определяна за първия съвременен европейски роман. Необичайно за епохата Сервантес вплита всекидневния език в литературата, с което повлиява формирането на испанския език.

Sainete ambientado en Madrid que, siguiendo el estilo del autor, que muestra a personajes extraños, alegres y estrepitosos. Es noche de fanfarria y los personajes principales quieren bailar. Unos, dicharacheros, alegres y cómicos. Los otros, bien educados y señoriales. En ese choque entre ambos Ramón de la Cruz dibuja las costumbres y el humor, creando así un sainete popular ambientado en la calle Lavapiés.Ramón de la Cruz (Madrid, 1731-1794) fue escritor y dramaturgo español, uno de los más prolíficos de su época. Estudió bajo la protección del duque de Alba y ya en su juventud escribió obras de teatro, sobre todo tragedias y comedias. También trabajó de traductor de algunos de sus autores franceses preferidos, como Voltaire. Sus conexiones y su capacidad para crear sainetes populares lo llevó a trabajar para la Corte y a producir, entre dramas, sainetes y zarzuelas, más de 500 obras. Fue uno de los mejores amigos de Goya.

Estem en contra és un recull de relats d'humor que observa la vida i les situacions quotidianes del dia a dia des de la sàtira. A través de situacions absurdes de personatges curiosos, en Xavier Gual presenta la nostra realitat com una sèrie de disbarats inesperats i molt còmics. Al cap i a la fi, que és més humà que estar en contra d'alguna cosa, encara que sigui en contra dels que estan en contra?Xavier Gual (Barcelona, 1973) és escriptor i periodista, llicenciat en filologia catalana a la Universitat de Barcelona. Les seves històries, siguin curtes o llargues, estan carregades de sarcasme i d'un humor àcid molt característic de l'autor. Ha publicat reculls de contes i diverses novel·les de narrativa adulta, policíaca i novel·la juvenil. Ha guanyat diversos premis, entre ells el Premi Mercè Rodoreda, el Premi Ribera d'Ebre o el Premi Pere Quart. Els seus llibres han estat traduïts a diversos idiomes, entre ells l'italià i el francès.

Who is Egbert Craddock Cummins? And why is he changing?'The Obliterated Man' tells the tale of a shy young man, Egbert Craddock Cummins, who reluctantly takes on the role of a theatre critic and as a result, somehow takes on the mannerisms and over-acting he sees displayed on stage.The short story by the "father of science fiction", H.G. Wells, was first published in 'New Budget' in 1895 under the title 'The Sad Story of a Dramatic Critic', it was later included in Wells' short story collections 'The Plattner Story and Others' and 'The Country of the Blind and Other Stories'.H.G. Wells (1866 – 1946) was a prolific writer and the author of more than 50 novels. In addition, we wrote more than 60 short stories, alongside various scientific papers. Many of his most famous works have been adapted for film and television, including ‘The Time Machine,’ starring Guy Pearce, ‘War of the Worlds,’ starring Tom Cruise, and ‘The Invisible Man,’ starring Elizabeth Moss. Because of his various works exploring futuristic themes, Wells is regarded as one of the ‘Fathers of Science Fiction.’

When your life’s path seems set in stone, who wouldn’t long for a bit of adventure?In 1910s England, everyone knew their place. But 13-year-old Bealby isn’t content to become a servant in a big country house. So he goes on the run from his duties. Over the course of a week, he joins up with a ragtag band of wanderers, and gets ensnared in a burglary plot.A satirical look at class and duty, "Bealby - A Holiday" is a comic gem from H.G. Wells. It was inspired by his own childhood, when he spent time as a draper’s apprentice. It makes for a fun read for Wells fans of all ages.H.G. Wells (1866–1946) was an English author often called the "father of science fiction". His work popularised some of the genre’s most abiding concepts, such as time travel and parallel universes, while also exploring social issues of the day. Among his most famous books are "The Time Machine", "The Island of Doctor Moreau", "The Invisible Man" and "The First Men in the Moon".Wells was also one of the first writers to imagine an alien invasion. In "The War of the Worlds" he depicts a devastating attack by Martians, who stalk the earth in huge metal tripods. Orson Welles famously created an American radio version in the 1930s, panicking some listeners who thought it was a real news bulletin. The book has been adapted for the screen many times, including a movie starring Tom Cruise and a BBC television series.

Una casa grande, una serva, un lavoro al Ministero, in prima fila alla parata reale, il giornale che arriva ogni mattina, il fine settimana al Castello e le vacanze a Frascati: la famiglia De-Tappetti può vantarsi di essere una degna rappresentazione della classe media romana sul finire del Diciannovesimo Secolo. Poco importa se la casa è assediata da una confusione perenne, la serva non viene pagata e le vacanze sono annullate per via di una mancata promozione. Sulla famiglia regna Policarpo De-Tappetti, padre severo di un figlio stupido, fedele scrivano di un Ministero che si dimentica di lui e vorace lettore di giornali che non capisce.La famiglia De-Tappetti è un ritratto tragicomico della piccola borghesia governativa che si crede grande, le cui vicende sono narrate in una serie di esilaranti racconti brevi, dalla penna di uno dei più sagaci e acuti giornalisti del suo tempo. Da questo romanzo ne è stato tratto il film "Policarpo, ufficiale di scrittura" (1959) diretto da Mario Soldati e premiato come migliore commedia al 12º Festival di Cannes.Luigi Arnaldo Vassallo (1852-1906) fu un importante giornalista e autore umoristico genovese. Fu direttore del quotidiano Il Secolo XIX, sul quale scriveva corsivi con lo pseudonimo di Gandolin.

Förorten är ett ensamt ställe. Det har 34-åriga Britt-Inger fått lära sig den hårda vägen. Hon gör sitt bästa för att hålla huvudet över ytan, men det blir allt svårare. Förutom en alkoholiserad make och en tvåårig dotter har hon sin karriär som skådespelerska att tänka på. Visserligen har det gått framåt för henne på den fronten, men hur länge kommer hon klara av att jonglera allt på egen hand?Undan för undan börjar personer i Britt-Ingers närområde att ge sig till känna. Det är en brokig skara figurer, från den vulgäre Birger till loppmarknadens Viola och Arvidsson med bilskroten. Tillsammans lägger de grunden för en tragikomisk berättelse, som fyller läsaren med både vemod och värme.Anne-Sofie Nielsen, född 1948, är en svensk författare, dramatiker och skådespelerska. Hennes böcker handlar ofta om ensamma och missförstådda kvinnor.

‘The Remarkable Rocket’ is a morality tale, cloaked in fairy-tale magic. It focuses on a firework, who is too full of himself for his own good. His bravado and boasts are put to the test, as the wedding ceremony he’s due to perform at draws nearer. Even the presence of another, possibly more arrogant, character doesn’t seem to make a dent in his vanity. ‘The Remarkable Rocket’ is beautifully-written tale, leaving the reader in no doubt as to the message the author is putting across. Perfect for children and the young at heart.Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900) was an Irish novelist, poet, playwright, and wit. He was an advocate of the Aesthetic movement, which extolled the virtues of art for the sake of art. During his career, Wilde wrote nine plays, including ‘The Importance of Being Earnest,’ ‘Lady Windermere’s Fan,’ and ‘A Woman of No Importance,’ many of which are still performed today. His only novel, ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ was adapted for the silver screen, in the film, ‘Dorian Gray,’ starring Ben Barnes and Colin Firth. In addition, Wilde wrote 43 poems, and seven essays. His life was the subject of a film, starring Stephen Fry.

In questo originale racconto, Italo Svevo affronta un tema dalle sottili implicazioni psicanalitiche, ricorrendo ad una divertente metafora campestre. In un bel giardino, contornato di siepi, vivono dei pulcini. Si interrogano su chi sia la loro madre, arrivando a identificarla astrattamente con tutto ciò che è "bene", col "bel tempo e l’abbondanza". Uno di loro – soprannominato Curra perché, al richiamo della contadina col becchime, è il primo ad accorrere – decide di esplorare la fattoria, per trovare finalmente questa provvidenziale "Madre" di cui tutti parlano. Alla fine, certo, la troverà, ma la realtà sarà ben più dura delle aspettative...Italo Svevo (1861-1928), alla nascita Aron Hector Schmitz, è stato uno scrittore italiano. Influenzato dalla multiculturalità della sua città, Trieste, Svevo è stato un attento osservatore dei cambiamenti sociali e un pioniere dell'introspezione psicologica in ambito letterario. Tra le sue opere più note ricordiamo 'Una vita', 'Senilità' e 'La coscienza di Zeno'.

Don Marcantonio Ravì intende dare in sposa la figlia Stellina al ricco Don Diego Alcozér, vecchio e già reduce di quattro precedenti matrimoni. Pepè Alletto, il giovane e un po’ sprovveduto innamorato di Stellina, dovrà pertanto aspettare il suo turno. Tuttavia, a dimostrazione di quanto le vicende umane siano spesso imprevedibili, l’anziano Alcozér si riscopre improvvisamente arzillo e pieno di vita, ritardando quella che per tutti doveva essere una morte certa ed imminente. Servirà l’intervento di Ciro Coppa, avvocato e cognato di Pepé, per risolvere la questione ricorrendo ad un cavillo. Ma non per questo l’idillio d’amore dello sventurato Pepè potrà dirsi assicurato...Luigi Pirandello (1867-1936) è stato uno dei maggiori scrittori e drammaturghi del XX secolo. Nativo di Agrigento, resterà sempre molto legato alla sua Sicilia, di cui descriverà virtù e contraddizioni con un piglio umoristico straordinario. Autore di molti capolavori della letteratura e del teatro italiani, fra cui "Il fu Mattia Pascal" e "Sei personaggi in cerca d’autore", sarà insignito del Premio Nobel nel 1934.

La desinenza in "A" è il suffisso che, nelle lingue latine, indica il genere femminile. Ed è proprio alle donne che questo testo, in parte romanzo e in parte saggio, si rivolge con occhio critico e in modo satirico. Qui vengono rappresentate delle situazioni stereotipiche in cui queste ultime sarebbero particolarmente portate ad ingannare gli uomini, causando loro problemi di diversa natura. Dalla morte in condizioni di miseria fino ai matrimoni d’interesse, la presente opera prende in analisi la condizione della donna ottocentesca, ritraendola con occhio critico e, al contempo, incuriosito.Il conte Carlo Dossi (1849-1910), al secolo Alberto Carlo Felice Pisani Dossi, è stato un intellettuale e scrittore italiano noto anche per il suo contributo alla ricerca in ambito archeologico. Dossi spicca per l’anticonformismo e l’avanguardismo che lo rendono uno dei principali esponenti della Scapigliatura milanese. Le sue opere si contraddistinguono per le tematiche care alla critica sociale affrontate con spiccata ironia ed espresse mediante sperimentazioni allegoriche e linguistiche, attuate tramite l’uso del dialetto. Tra i suoi scritti di maggior successo ricordiamo "Vita di Alberto Pisani", "La colonia felice", "Elvira, elegia" e "Gocce d’inchiostro".

Begegnen Sie mit diesem Roman der Londoner Gesellschaft zu Beginn des 19. Jahrhunderts! Im Zentrum der Handlung stehen dabei die beiden Protagonistinnen Amelia und Becky, die auf ganz unterschiedliche Weise als junge Frauen ihr Leben zu jener Zeit gestalten. Autor William Makepeace Thackeray verfasste mit „Jahrmarkt der Eitelkeit" (im Original: „Vanity Fair, or, a Novel without a Hero") einen amüsanten Gesellschaftsroman, der bis heute zu einem der meistgelesenen Werke der englischsprachigen Literatur zählt.Dies ist der zweite Band einer zweiteiligen Ausgabe.William Makepeace Thackeray wurde am 18. Juli 1811 in Kalkutta, Indien, als Sohn eines Kolonialbeamten geboren. Nachdem er seine Schulzeit zunächst in verschiedenen Internaten in England verbrachte, reiste er durch Europa und studierte an den Universitäten in Cambridge, London und Paris. Später arbeitete William Makepeace Thackeray als Journalist und war sehr erfolgreich als Schriftsteller tätig. Er zählt neben großen Namen wie Charles Dickens und George Eliot zu den bedeutendsten englischsprachigen Autoren seiner Zeit.

Begegnen Sie mit diesem Roman der Londoner Gesellschaft zu Beginn des 19. Jahrhunderts! Im Zentrum der Handlung stehen dabei die beiden Protagonistinnen Amelia und Becky, die auf ganz unterschiedliche Weise als junge Frauen ihr Leben zu jener Zeit gestalten. Autor William Makepeace Thackeray verfasste mit „Jahrmarkt der Eitelkeit" (im Original: „Vanity Fair, or, a Novel without a Hero") einen amüsanten Gesellschaftsroman, der bis heute zu einem der meistgelesenen Werke der englischsprachigen Literatur zählt.Dies ist der erste Band einer zweiteiligen Ausgabe.William Makepeace Thackeray wurde am 18. Juli 1811 in Kalkutta, Indien, als Sohn eines Kolonialbeamten geboren. Nachdem er seine Schulzeit zunächst in verschiedenen Internaten in England verbrachte, reiste er durch Europa und studierte an den Universitäten in Cambridge, London und Paris. Später arbeitete William Makepeace Thackeray als Journalist und war sehr erfolgreich als Schriftsteller tätig. Er zählt neben großen Namen wie Charles Dickens und George Eliot zu den bedeutendsten englischsprachigen Autoren seiner Zeit.

El maestrante es una novela irónica, una crítica hacia el adulterio y la aristocracia decadente. La obra transcurre en Lancia, una ciudad creada a imagen y semejanza de Oviedo. La acción empieza en la casa del Maestrante, donde se celebra todas las noches una tertulia para los personajes más selectos de Lancia. Una noche, una niña es abandonada delante de las puertas de casa y el Maestrante decide acogerla como si fuera su propia hija. El libro es protagonizado por personajes sombríos, hipócritas y sin ética que tienen un final trágico.Armando Palacio Valdés (1853-1938) fue escritor y crítico literario. Creció en el ambiente rural de Asturias, hasta que se trasladó a Oviedo con doce años. En 1870 se instaló en Madrid para estudiar derecho y ahí entró en el mundo literario de la capital, participando en revistas y formando parte del Ateneo. Empezó a escribir ensayo y críticas literarias, pero a partir de su primera novela, de éxito inmediato, se decantó hacia la narrativa. Escribió más de treinta libros, entre novelas y ensayos. Murió en Madrid durante la guerra civil, a la edad de 84 años.