Join us on a literary world trip!
Add this book to bookshelf
Grey
Write a new comment Default profile 50px
Grey
Subscribe to read the full book or read the first pages for free!
All characters reduced
The Prisoner of Zenda - cover

The Prisoner of Zenda

Anthony Hope

Publisher: DigiCat

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Summary

In *The Prisoner of Zenda,* Anthony Hope weaves a compelling tale of adventure, romance, and political intrigue set in the fictional European kingdom of Ruritania. The narrative unfolds with an ingenious twist, as the protagonist, Rudolf Rassendyll, becomes embroiled in a royal conspiracy that sees him impersonating the kidnapped king. Hope's vivid prose and suspenseful pacing reflect the Victorian era's fascination with chivalry and honor, inviting readers into a world where the themes of duty and identity are intricately explored. This novel is not just an adventure; it stands as a critique of romantic realism, capturing the zeitgeist of its time while influencing the genre of political thrillers and romantic adventures that would follow. Anthony Hope, an English novelist and playwright, was inspired by his experiences traveling in Europe, as well as by the socio-political landscapes of his time. Born in 1863, Hope's background in law and his literary ambitions fueled his storytelling prowess. He crafted *The Prisoner of Zenda* during a period of personal and political intrigue, which greatly informed his narrative techniques and thematic explorations of power and identity. Readers seeking a riveting and imaginative escape into a world of royal intrigue will find *The Prisoner of Zenda* an enthralling read. Hope's masterful blend of suspense, romance, and existential inquiry ensures that this timeless classic continues to resonate today. Dive into this landmark of adventure literature, where the lines between duty and desire blur, captivating enthusiasts of all ages.
Available since: 10/11/2022.
Print length: 151 pages.

Other books that might interest you

  • The first-class passenger - cover

    The first-class passenger

    Anton Pavlovich Chekhov

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    Short story by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, about a passenger telling a story of his life and career in a first-class wagon.
    Show book
  • The Blue Castle - cover

    The Blue Castle

    L. M. Montgomery

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    The Blue Castle is a 1926 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, best known for her novel Anne of Green Gables (1908).
    The story is set during the early 1900s in the fictional town of Deerwood, located in the Muskoka region of Ontario, Canada. Deerwood is based on Bala, Ontario, which Montgomery visited in 1922. Maps of the two towns show similarities.
    This novel is considered one of L.M. Montgomery's few adult works of fiction, along with A Tangled Web, and is the only book she wrote that is entirely set outside of Prince Edward Island. It has grown in popularity since being republished in 1990. The book was adapted for the stage twice; in 1982 it was made into a successful Polish musical, and ten years later Canadian playwright Hank Stinson authored another version, The Blue Castle: A Musical Love Story.
    alancy is, at twenty-nine, the old maid of the Stirling clan, which is a reputable family that has lived in the same region for over fifty years. As an only child, her entire life has been spent with her nagging mother, her perpetually down-trodden aunt, and a gossipy extended family, who, in spirit of the Victorian and middle class, actively discourage happiness and treat Valancy like a child, telling her what to do every day and constantly comparing her with her beautiful cousin, Olive, putting her down, and calling her by the baby name "Doss." Her only respites come from daydreaming of her "Blue Castle" and the handsome men who would reside in it with her, along with reading the nature books of John Foster.
    Show book
  • Mark Twain 3 Complete Works - The Letters Of Mark Twain Huckleberry Finn Tom Sawyer - cover

    Mark Twain 3 Complete Works -...

    Mark Twain

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    Mark Twain, born Samuel Clemens in 1835, was a celebrated American author, humorist, and social critic. Twain's life and writings are deeply intertwined with American history, capturing the essence of the 19th century and the spirit of the American West. Through his iconic works such as "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," Twain crafted vivid narratives that examined the complexities of human nature, tackled social issues, and provided incisive commentary on the American experience. 
     
    Twain's writings often drew inspiration from his own experiences and travels. As a young man, he worked as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River, an experience that shaped his understanding of the culture and people of the American South. This firsthand knowledge of the region and its idiosyncrasies found its way into his writing, bringing a sense of authenticity and regional flavor to his stories. Twain's vivid descriptions, witty dialogues, and memorable characters made his works beloved by readers of all ages. 
     
    Beyond his contributions to literature, Twain's legacy extends to his role as a keen observer of society and a master of satire. His sharp wit and social critiques exposed the flaws and hypocrisies of his time, challenging prevailing beliefs and prejudices. Twain's novel "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" remains a classic and a significant piece of American literature. It tackled issues of race and morality, presenting a scathing indictment of racism while showcasing the unlikely friendship between the white protagonist and the runaway slave, Jim. 
     
    Mark Twain's life, art, and writings continue to captivate readers and provide insight into the American experience. His humorous storytelling, memorable characters, and biting social commentary have secured his place as one of the most important and influential figures in American literature.
    Show book
  • The Tap Dancer - cover

    The Tap Dancer

    Andrew Barrow

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    ‘My favourite novel and one I wish I’d written.’ ALAN BENNETT 
    Winner of the McKitterick Prize for best first novel by an author aged over 40, and the Hawthornden Prize for imaginative literature. 
    Everyone craves retirement from the Civil Service, don’t they? That time for an ageing patriarch to enjoy the fruits of a well-earned pension and the respect of his family; maybe even to indulge in a love of music halls and metropolitan life. If only people would listen and do as they were told… 
    His fourth son William, the long-suffering narrator, is the constant butt of his father’s jokes and victim of his brothers’ indifference. But as death, divorce and other darker dramas follow, father and son slowly establish a strange harmony. 
    The Tap Dancer, the latest from award-winning author Andrew Barrow, is a humorous fiction that has been short-listed for its literary excellence. This new classic is a top choice for readers around the globe. 
    For fans of Alan Bennett (The Laying On Of Hands), Anne Tyler (Vinegar Girl), Nina Stibbe (One Day I Shall Astonish the World), Rose Tremain (Absolutely and Forever), and India Knight (Darling). 
    HarperCollins 2023
    Show book
  • History of Tom Jones a Foundling The - Book 12 (Unabridged) - cover

    History of Tom Jones a Foundling...

    Henry Fielding

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    A foundling of mysterious parentage brought up by Mr. Allworthy on his country estate, Tom Jones is deeply in love with the seemingly unattainable Sophia Western, the beautiful daughter of the neighboring squire though he sometimes succumbs to the charms of the local girls. When Tom is banished to make his own fortune and Sophia follows him to London to escape an arranged marriage, the adventure begins. A vivid Hogarthian panorama of eighteenth-century life, spiced with danger and intrigue, bawdy exuberance and good-natured authorial interjections, Tom Jones is one of the greatest and most ambitious comic novels in English literature.
    BOOK 12: The learned reader must have observed that in the course of this mighty work, I have often translated passages out of the best antient authors, without quoting the original, or without taking the least notice of the book from whence they were borrowed.
    Show book
  • Briar Rose and Other Stories - cover

    Briar Rose and Other Stories

    The Brothers Grimm

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    This charming collection of Grimms' Fairy Tales includes "Briar Rose", "Fundevogel", "The Fox & the Cat" and "The Fox & the Horse". Grimms' Fairy Tales was first published in Germany in 1812 as "Kinder und Hausmärchen". This series of recordings is based on the original 1823 English translation by Edgar Taylor, with subsequent editing by Marian Edwardes.
    Show book