D'autres livres qui pourraient vous intéresser

• 

  A Scene from the Ghetto of...

  Rainer Maria Rilke

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  René Karl Wilhelm Johann Josef Maria Rilke was born into a troubled marriage on the 4th December 1875 in Prague, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.  His mother, having previously lost a baby girl, would dress the young boy up in girl’s clothing.   
  Later his father dispatched him to a military academy at age 10 but after a miserable 5 years the young Rilke left due to illness and instead entered first Prague and then Munich and finally Berlin university to study art history, philosophy and literature. 
  His initial forays into literature was in poetry.  His intense, mystical and lyrical style was much admired and over time inspired many in succeeding generations.    
  His short prose collection ‘Stories of God’, written in an impassioned burst over several nights was published in 1900 and offers a beguiling view of much of Rilke’s influences and outlook.  
  The following year he married the pioneering sculptor and artist Clara Westhoff.  The union produced one child, a daughter Ruth.   
  He lived in Paris for most of the Century’s first decade where he mixed with many great minds of the time.  Although he continued to write he also worked as a secretary to the sculptor, Rodin.   
  It was only after they settled in Switzerland in 1919 that his writing output was in full flow.  Here he wrote profusely in both German and French, which included much on his previous travels, his left-wing sympathies, his religious and existential thoughts, all part of a unique and consummate style. 
  From 1923 on, Rilke increasingly struggled with his health which was now in constant decline and often spent time rehabilitating at a sanatorium.   
  Rainer Maria Rilke died of leukaemia on the 29th December 1926 in Montreux, Switzerland.  He was 51.

  Voir livre

• 

  The Jungle Book

  Rudyard Kipling

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  "The Jungle Book" is a literary classic penned by British author Rudyard Kipling and first published in 1894. Set in the heart of the Indian jungle, it is a captivating collection of stories that combine adventure, morality, and the relationship between humans and animals. At its core, the book explores the idea of the "Law of the Jungle," which represents the rules and principles that govern life in the wild. 
  The central character of "The Jungle Book" is Mowgli, a young boy who finds himself orphaned in the jungle and subsequently raised by a pack of wolves. His upbringing in the jungle introduces him to the intricate web of life and survival strategies that animals employ. Mowgli learns to communicate with various creatures, developing unique friendships and alliances with the jungle's inhabitants. 
  Among his closest animal companions are Baloo, the jovial and wise bear who imparts valuable life lessons to Mowgli, and Bagheera, the sleek and protective black panther who serves as his guardian. Together, they guide Mowgli through the challenges of the jungle, instilling in him the importance of respecting nature and the Law of the Jungle. 
   
  However, not all of Mowgli's encounters in the jungle are friendly. Shere Khan, a fearsome Bengal tiger, serves as one of his primary adversaries. Shere Khan harbors a deep-seated animosity toward humans and poses a constant threat to Mowgli, leading to numerous confrontations throughout the story. 
   
  Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was a British author best known for his works of fiction and poetry, often set in the context of the British Empire. He was born in Bombay, India, and spent a significant part of his life there, which greatly influenced his writing. Kipling's notable works include "The Jungle Book," "Kim," "Just So Stories,".

  Voir livre

• 

  Don Quixote

  Miguel de Cervantès

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  "When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies?"
  
  Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra is one of the eternal masterpieces of literature, a picaresque, epic adventure that has inspired readers for over four centuries. First published in 1605, this classical literature classic tells the tale of a self-styled knight, Don Quixote of La Mancha, and his loyal squire, Sancho Panza, as they embark on a hilarious and tragic quest to revive the chivalric ideals of old.
  
  Blending satire, adventure, humor, and deep philosophical insights, Cervantes' parody of medieval chivalry is widely regarded as the first modern novel, influencing literary history and storytelling across the world. Whether you are new to el Quijote de la Mancha or rediscovering its genius, this recommended reading is an unforgettable journey into human folly, idealism, and the clash between dreams and reality.
  
  Inside this book, you'll discover:
  
  ✔ The hidalgo Don Quixote's misadventures, from battling windmills to knighting innkeepers.
  ✔ A rich blend of historical fiction, satire, and literary criticism, making this novel both entertaining and thought-provoking.
  ✔ The white knight chronicles of a man who, despite ridicule, remains steadfast in his belief in honor, courage, and justice.
  ✔ A tragic yet humorous tale that questions the very fabric of reality and perception.
  
  This literary masterpiece has stood the test of time, influencing authors from Shakespeare to Mark Twain, and remains one of the most widely read and studied books in history.
  
  Whether you love classic novels, adventure, or philosophy, Don Quixote is a must-have for every bookshelf.
  
  Get your copy now and join millions of readers who have laughed, pondered, and been moved by this timeless classic.

  Voir livre

• 

  Comrade Bingo

  P. G. Wodehouse

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Some men dream of changing society. Others simply hope to survive luncheon without disgrace.
  In Comrade Bingo, P. G. Wodehouse unleashes another round of romantic confusion, social acrobatics, and impeccably polished nonsense. Bertie Wooster finds himself observing a world in which revolutionary ideals, aristocratic habits, and spectacularly poor decisions coexist far too comfortably. At the center of it all is Bingo Little — enthusiastic, impressionable, and once again dangerously in love. As political fervor collides with drawing-room etiquette, disguises become necessary, loyalties become flexible, and even the most respectable gathering threatens to dissolve into chaos.
  Effortlessly witty and irresistibly light-footed, this is a masterclass in comic precision and the particular kind of disaster that only English gentlemen can create with complete sincerity.

  Voir livre

• 

  Billy Budd

  Herman Melville

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  "Billy Budd" is a novella written by Herman Melville, completed shortly before his death in 1891. It tells the story of Billy Budd, a handsome and popular sailor who becomes embroiled in a conflict with his ship's master-at-arms, John Claggart, on board a British naval vessel during the late 18th century. The novella explores themes of innocence, morality, justice, and the inherent conflict between good and evil. 
   
  The narrative centers around the character of Billy Budd, a young and virtuous sailor admired by his peers for his exceptional charm and simplicity. However, his life takes a dramatic turn when he is falsely accused of inciting mutiny by Claggart, a malevolent and envious officer. The novella delves into the psychological dynamics between the two characters and the moral dilemmas faced by the ship's captain, Captain Vere, as he grapples with the decision of how to handle the situation. 
   
  "Billy Budd" explores the clash between absolute goodness and institutional authority, with Melville examining the complexities and ambiguities of human nature. The novella raises profound questions about the nature of justice, the corrupting influence of power, and the struggle to maintain one's moral integrity in a society driven by hierarchy and oppression. 
   
  Melville's writing in "Billy Budd" is characterized by his rich prose, nuanced characterization, and philosophical inquiries. The novella incorporates nautical terminology and imagery, drawing on Melville's own experiences as a sailor, and employs a multi-layered narrative that invites readers to contemplate deeper moral and existential questions.

  Voir livre

• 

  Frederick Cowles - Six of the...

  Frederick Cowles

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Six has always been a number we group things around – Six of the best, six of one half a dozen of another, six feet under, six pack, six degrees of separation and a sixth sense are but a few of the ways we use this number. 
   
  Such is its popularity that we thought it is also a very good way of challenging and investigating an author’s work to give width, brevity, humour and depth across six of their very best. 
   
  In this series we gather together authors whose short stories both rivet the attention and inspire the imagination to visit their gems in a series of six, to roam across an author’s legacy in a few short hours and gain a greater understanding of their writing and, of course, to be lavishly entertained by their ideas, their narrative and their way with words. 
   
  These stories can be surprising and sometimes at a tangent to what we expected, but each is fully formed and a marvellous adventure into the world and words of a literary master.

  Voir livre