Other books that might interest you

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  The Apple

  H. G. Wells

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  Herbert George Wells (1866-1946) was a prolific English writer, now best remembered for his science fiction novels and often credited as being the father of science fiction.'The Apple' is a strange tale about a young student who, in a third-class railway carriage, is unexpectedly offered the genuine fruit of the Tree of Knowledge from the Garden of Eden by a stranger with piercing grey eyes. The strange tale of how the stranger came to have the fruit is almost as unusual as the story of what the student then did with it.

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  The Napoleon of Notting Hill

  G.K. Chesterton

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  G.K. Chesterton’s surreal fantasy “The Napoleon of Notting Hill” is set in the year 1984. 
  Chesterton’s view of a London 80 years hence from the year in which he wrote the story is not the  frightening totalitarian state foreseen by George Orwell in his book titled with that same year, (although it is thought that Orwell chose that year from his knowledge of Chesterton’s story). 
  Chesterton’s more humorous and fantastical look into the near future finds England to be much the same as in 1904 except that the concept of Monarchy has fallen into such an inconsequential position (as the world has moved away from individual autonomous states, all the better to avoid wars) that the Monarch is now determined by lot in an alphabetical book. 
    
  When Auberon Quinn unexpectedly finds himself announced as the new King he considers the whole affair one big regal joke and to amuse himself (and annoy his pompous political friends) he indulges himself by concocting a cod history and pageantry for the London Boroughs. 
  Little does he realise that his preposterous joke might be taken seriously and that the ceremonial swords and halberds would become weapons of an actual war between the differing London factions. It only takes one zealous and determined mad man to take him all too seriously. 
   Head Stories Audio presents "The Napoleon of Notting Hill" narrated by Simon Hester. With original music.

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  The Mysteries of Marseilles

  Émile Zola

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  The elopement of Philippe Cayol, an aspiring liberal, poor and untitled with Blanche De Cazalis, niece of a powerful millionaire and politician sets the stage in this novel full of twists and turns with villains a plenty. Philippe's brother Marius strives to protect the two lovers from the De Cazalis' uncontrolled fury. Although written in his youth Zola's signature style, his indignation about injustice and his vivid characterization of the noble, the wealthy and common man is very evident in this non stop adventure.

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  The Beautiful and Damned

  F Scott itzgerald

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  F. Scott Fitzgerald's second novel, The Beautiful and Damned, is a savage and haunting satire of the young, rootless postwar generation who live intent only on the pursuit of wealth and decadent pleasure. Anthony Patch is a 1920s socialite and the presumptive heir to a tycoon's fortune. His marriage to the beautiful but selfish Gloria is idyllic at first, but the union slowly disintegrates as reality sets in and their sole goal becomes Anthony's grandfather's fortune. Gloria's beauty fades, and Anthony's drinking takes its toll.Charting the corrosive attraction of wealth and malign influence, The Beautiful and Damned is also a vivid portrait of early-twentieth-century New York and the sights and sounds of the city's burgeoning night life.

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  The Magic Shop

  H. G. Wells

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  This is a charming tale from H.G. Wells about a young boy named Gip who visits a magic shop for his birthday with his father. But this is not just any magic shop — the shopkeeper insists that this is a genuine magic shop. The story is an entertaining adventure as Gip, like any young boy of his age, experiences the pure enjoyment of true magic while his skeptical father grapples with having to draw the line between slight of hand and genuine magic.

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  Pride And Prejudice

  Jane Austen

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  Pride and Prejudice, the story of Mrs. Bennet's attempts to marry off her five daughters is one of the best-loved and most enduring classics in English literature. Excitement fizzes through the Bennet household at Longbourn in Hertfordshire when young, eligible Mr. Charles Bingley rents the fine house nearby. He may have sisters, but he also has male friends, and one of these — the haughty, and even wealthier, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy — irks the vivacious Elizabeth Bennet, the second of the Bennet girls. She annoys him. Which is how we know they must one day marry. The romantic clash between the opinionated Elizabeth and Darcy is a splendid rendition of civilized sparring. As the characters dance a delicate quadrille of flirtation and intrigue, Jane Austen's radiantly caustic wit and keen observation sparkle.An Author's Republic audio production.

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