Other books that might interest you

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  Tarzan of the Apes

  Edgar Rice Burroughs

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  Tarzan of the Apes is the thrilling origin story of one of the most iconic characters in literary history. 
  When English aristocrats John and Alice Clayton are marooned on the African coast, their newborn son is orphaned in the heart of the jungle. Raised by a tribe of great apes, the boy grows into a powerful, intelligent, and instinct-driven man—one who will come to be known as Tarzan. Straddling the worlds of civilization and savagery, Tarzan’s journey is one of identity, survival, and discovery, as he uncovers his noble birthright and must choose where he truly belongs. 
  Packed with wild adventure, deep emotional stakes, and timeless questions of nature versus nurture, Tarzan of the Apes launched a cultural phenomenon and remains a gripping tale of heroism and human potential. 
  This new narration by Veronica Saretsky brings Burroughs’ lush jungle world to life with clarity, drama, and emotional depth.

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  An Outcast of the Islands

  Joseph Conrad

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  "He lived in the world of his own creation, and it was a world of shadows."
  
  Peter Willems is a man who believes he is destined for greatness, but his own vanity and dishonesty lead to his spectacular downfall. After embezzling funds in Makassar, he is given a second chance by the legendary Captain Lingard, who hides him in a secret trading post up a remote river in Borneo. But instead of redemption, Willems finds a new form of destruction. He becomes obsessively enamored with Aïssa, the daughter of a local blind chief, and in his desperation to possess her, he betrays Lingard's secret navigation routes to Arab traders. This act of treason triggers a violent clash of cultures and leads Willems into a spiritual and physical exile from which there is no escape.
  
  The Anatomy of a Moral Collapse: Conrad excels at stripping away the delusions of his protagonists. Willems is not a classic villain, but a weak man whose pride makes him vulnerable. The novel brilliantly captures his slow descent into madness as he realizes that he has become an "outcast" not just from society, but from his own identity.
  
  Tropical Gothic and Imperial Critique: The lush, stifling atmosphere of the Indonesian jungle acts as a character in itself. Conrad's prose is dense and atmospheric, portraying the wilderness as a mirror that reflects the internal chaos of the European colonizers. He challenges the "civilizing" myths of imperialism by showing the greed and fragility of those who seek to exploit the islands.
  
  The Fatal Romance: The relationship between Willems and Aïssa is one of the most intense and destructive in colonial literature. It is a bond built on mutual exoticism and misunderstanding, leading to a tragic finale that underscores the impossibility of truly "knowing" another person across a cultural and moral divide.
  
  Descend into the heart of the archipelago. Purchase "An Outcast of the Islands" today.

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  Shades A Phantasy - Ukranian...

  Vladimir Korolenko

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  Vladimir Galaktionovich Korolenko was born in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, then part of the Russian Empire on 27th July 1853. 
   
  His father died when he was 13 and life was then often struck with bouts of poverty, which resulted in his education being somewhat erratic.   A spell in exile at 23 was followed by another as the politics of the times opposed his volatile but heart-felt passions. 
   
  Writing was also coming to the fore and in 1879 his debut short story telling of a young Narodnik searching for social and spiritual identity, was published. 
   
  In 1881, Korolenko refused to swear allegiance to the new Russian Tsar and was again exiled, this time much farther afield.  He spent the next three years doing manual work, but took time to study local customs and history.  These impressions in exile provided rich material for his writings. 
   
  In 1885 he was allowed to settle in Nizhny, where again he repeatedly questioned the authorities.  That same year ‘Makar's Dream’ established his literary reputation and was part of his first collection ‘Sketches and Stories’, the following year. 
   
  In the early 1890’s when famine struck Central Russia, he went to work on relief missions, collecting donations, supervising the delivery and distribution of food, opening 45 free canteens, all this while writing the graphic reports that would later be published as ‘In the Year of Famine’ in 1893. 
   
  By 1896 despite some psychological disorders, he was well regarded amongst Russian writers and was even a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.  Throughout his writing career Korolenko was a staunch advocate of human rights, putting that sacred activity above what he called his 'part-time-writing'. 
   
  In the Revolutionary year of 1905, under his editorship, Russkoye Bogatstvo published the Manifest by the Petersburg Soviet of the Workers' deputies. Korolenko was now repeatedly harassed by the authorities, had his flat raided many times and materials confiscated. 
   
  As a lifetime opponent of Tsarism, he guardedly welcomed the Revolution of 1917.  Once the nature of Bolshevism was established, he soon started to criticize it. During the Russian Civil War that ensued, he condemned both the Red Terror and the White Terror.  
   
  Despite suffering from a progressive heart disorder, he collected food packages for children in famine-stricken Moscow and Petrograd as well as organised orphanages and shelters for the homeless.  
   
  Vladimir Korolenko died in Poltava, Ukraine, of the complications of pneumonia on 25th December 1921.  He was 68. 
   
  In this story Korolenko invokes the characters of Socrates and Elpidias who, after their deaths, involve themselves in a debate on God.  This is a tour-de-force of conception and execution.

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  Lord Peter Views the Body - The...

  Dorothy L. Sayers

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  "Lord Peter Views the Body" by Grapevine Press is a delightful collection of shorter adventures featuring the inimitable Lord Peter Wimsey. In this anthology, readers will accompany Lord Peter on a series of intriguing cases that highlight his brilliant deductive skills and quick wit. With each story, Dorothy L Sayers crafts a mini-mystery that captivates readers and showcases her mastery of the detective genre.From perplexing puzzles to clever solutions, these tales offer a taste of Sayers' storytelling finesse and the enduring charm of Lord Peter Wimsey. Whether you're a seasoned fan of the detective or new to his world of crime-solving, "Lord Peter Views the Body" provides a compelling and entertaining journey through the enigmatic and witty realms of Dorothy L Sayers.

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  A Tale of Two Cities

  Charles Dickens

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  "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens is a historical novel written in the mid-19th century. Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, the story begins by exploring the social and political turmoil of the era, introducing key themes such as resurrection, sacrifice, and the contrast between oppression and liberty.  
  The narrative follows Mr. Jarvis Lorry on his mission to retrieve Dr. Alexandre Manette, an imprisoned former physician who has been "recalled to life" after years of suffering. Dickens vividly depicts the contrasting conditions in England and France, highlighting the hardships faced by ordinary people. 
  A notable scene unfolds as Mr. Lorry travels on a Dover mail coach and encounters a mysterious messenger who delivers a message concerning Dr. Manette. Upon arriving in Paris, the ominous undertones of the Revolution are palpable, with Madame Defarge's wine shop symbolizing the growing discontent.  
  The story hints at the challenges ahead as the characters intertwine in a tale of personal and political upheaval, setting the stage for a drama that explores the quest for justice in the face of tyranny.

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  The Canterville Ghost

  Oscar Wilde

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  It's a disaster! Sir Simon, the vaunted Canterville Ghost, has had years of success haunting the family mansion, centuries of wailing moans, rattling chains and phantasmagoria... and what should the Canterville family do, but sell up the house! 
  But it gets worse! 
  They've sold the house to Americans! And they aren't impressed by his tricks! They tell him to oil his chains! They throw pillows at his head! They ambush him in the parlour! They even removed the much vaunted bloodstain of Lady Caterville with detergent cleaner! 
  What is a self respecting spook to do!? This can't go on! 
  Published in 1887 by Oscar Wilde and Narrated by Michael Ward.

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