Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Insight edition with engaging side notes that offer background on social customs, thoughts on the book's themes of faith, and other engaging information.
"The Masque of the Red Death", originally published as "The Mask of the Red Death: A Fantasy" (1842), is a short story by American writer Edgar Allan Poe. The story follows Prince Prospero's attempts to avoid a dangerous plague, known as the Red Death, by hiding in his abbey. He, along with many other wealthy nobles, hosts a masquerade ball within seven rooms of the abbey, each decorated with a different color. In the midst of their revelry, a mysterious figure disguised as a Red Death victim enters and makes his way through each of the rooms. Prospero dies after confronting this stranger, whose "costume" proves to contain nothing tangible inside it; the guests also die in turn. Poe's story follows many traditions of Gothic fiction and is often analyzed as an allegory about the inevitability of death, though some critics advise against an allegorical reading. Many different interpretations have been presented, as well as attempts to identify the true nature of the titular disease. The story was first published in May 1842 in Graham's Magazine and has since been adapted in many different forms, including a 1964 film starring Vincent Price. Additionally, it has been alluded to by other works in many types of media.Show book
Everybody remembers Wych Street, a road in London which no longer exists. But nobody can agree on exactly where it used to run.Stacy Aumonier's classic story follows the catastrophic events sparked by a dispute over the location of the elusive street, from pub brawls and murders, to the infamous siege of Aztec Street, to the ignominious ending of a promising young lawyer's career, a broken engagement and a foreign policy fiasco.Show book
"My Neighbour Radilov" by Ivan Turgenev is a short story about a chance encounter between the narrator, a hunter, and a wealthy landowner named Radilov. After accidentally shooting a bird on Radilov's property, the narrator is invited to dinner at his house. As they walk through the neglected gardens, the narrator observes the decay of the once-grand estate. The story offers a critique of the aristocratic way of life in 19th-century Russia, as well as a reflection on the passage of time and the decline of traditional values. Radilov himself embodies the contradictions of this world, as he appears both generous and callous, proud of his status but also nostalgic for the past. Through the narrator's perspective, the reader glimpses a society in transition, where the old order is giving way to new social and economic forces. Read in English, unabridged.Show book
"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley is a thrilling and captivating novel that has mesmerised readers for over 200 years. The story follows the brilliant and ambitious scientist, Victor Frankenstein, as he creates a monstrous being using stolen body parts. But as the creature struggles to find acceptance and meaning in a hostile world, Victor is consumed by guilt and fear, realising too late the horrifying consequences of his actions. As the two engage in a battle of wills and wits, Shelley's vivid and evocative language paints a chilling picture of a world gone awry, where science and technology have unleashed dark and dangerous forces beyond our control. "Frankenstein" is a haunting tale of ambition, revenge, and the consequences of playing God, which continues to shock and captivate readers today. This new audio edition is brought to life for 21st century listeners by narrator Jake Urry.Show book
'Things' takes a cutting look at two 'idealistic' young Americans who travel Europe in an attempt to give their spoiled lives some meaning and in the end settle for suburban America, surrounded by their possessions, their 'things'.Show book
"The Green Flag," penned by Arthur Conan Doyle and initially featured in the June 1893 edition of the Pall Mall Magazine, unfolds a captivating tale. This narrative delves into intricate webs of mystery and suspense, showcasing Doyle's mastery in storytelling.Show book
