Editorial: Reading Essentials
In the distant future a man from the twentieth century wakes to find himself in an almost incomprehensible world... He realizes that the world has left him behind, but he just might have the key to the future of all mankind. Cyril M. Kornbluth was a highly influential science fiction writer who won both a Hugo Award and a Prometheus Award.
The Chimes: A Goblin Story of Some Bells that Rang an Old Year Out and a New Year In is the second of Charles Dickens' Christmas books, published in 1844. Its contemporary setting is the "Hungry Forties", a time of social and political unrest, and the book has a strong moral message. It remained popular for many years, although its fame has since been eclipsed by that of A Christmas Carol, the first of the series.Ver libro
A showcase for authors Arachne Press has published previously in anthologies, giving a wider perspective on their writing. The collection as a whole has tendency towards fantasy and magical realism, with Cassandra Passarelli's (Liberty Tales) Guatemalan stories taking on a more gritty reality, and Katy Darby's (London Lies, Stations, Shortest Day, Longest Night) engrossing SF and historical stories alongside Joan Taylor Rowan's (London Lies, Lover's Lies, Stations) acid humour and modern desperation and Sarah James' (Longest Day, Shortest Night) elliptical poet's sensibility brought to flash fiction and Helen Morris' (Liberty Tales, Solstice Shorts) ability to get to the heart of a story, and make you laugh out loud or weep inconsolably.Ver libro
For Don Pericle, wedding organising is a calling, not just a career. Deep in the Sicilian countryside, between rose gardens and trellised balconies, up marble staircases and across damasked ballrooms, these charming stories unfold: stories of star-crossed love, of comedic misunderstandings and of deep friendships, of love triumphing in the face of adversity (pomegranate-stained dresses, overzealous photographers, missing string quartets, and even a case of sabotage!). To these brides and grooms-to-be, Don Pericle becomes a guru, a mentor, even a friend, solving problems, untangling knots, rearranging menus and transforming lives. In “The Princess and the Pea”, Natalia wants a fairy-tale wedding, whatever the cost: but what does that mean for the rest of her life with Marco? Sophia and Isaias’s families, in “Be Our Guest”, have decided to boycott the wedding. How will they figure out a way to fill out the guest list? Meanwhile, in “Daniela’s Big Day,” the bride’s older sister is dreading the bouquet toss. Can Don Pericle find a way to ease her worries? Fishmongers and Ferrari drivers, dressmakers and divorcees, gardeners and grandmothers: within the walls of Villa Lingualarga, all are offered a new chance at understanding each other – and maybe even finding true love. “A super read, and we all enjoyed the quirky, insightful style of storytelling” - The People's Friend editorial team "What a lovely story - so sweet and funny. Don Pericle is such an interesting character - we all need someone like that in our lives!" - Ewan Smith, author of pocket novels, short stories and poemsVer libro
A war bride awaits the arrival of her GI husband at the platform... A Holocaust survivor works at the Oyster Bar, where a customer reminds him of his late mother... A Hollywood hopeful anticipates her first screen test and a chance at stardom in the Kissing Room... On any particular day, thousands upon thousands of people pass through New York City's Grand Central Terminal, through the whispering gallery, beneath the ceiling of stars, and past the information booth and its beckoning four-faced clock, to whatever destination is calling them. It is a place where people come to say hello and good-bye. And each person has a story to tell. Now, ten bestselling authors inspired by this iconic landmark have created their own stories, set on the same day, just after the end of World War II, in a time of hope, uncertainty, change, and renewal.Ver libro
This recording has been digitally produced by DeepZen Limited, using a synthesized version of an audiobook narrator’s voice under license. DeepZen uses Emotive Speech Technology to create digital narrations that offer a similar listening experience to human narration. Three dark short stories inspired by Dante's Inferno, linked by a book of human skin passed down through generations. Sins of the Flesh: When the mutilated corpse of a wealthy author is discovered, the police officer sent to investigate finds a curious diary amongst the occult objects at the scene. Will he uncover the author's secret at the ruined chapel, and is he willing to pay the price that it demands? Sins of Treachery: 30 years later. On the death of their grandfather, twin brothers Simon and Gestas are left a map covered in alchemical symbols that could lead them to great wealth and power. But they find more than they expected in the frozen wastes of the Arctic north... Sins of Violence: 30 years later. In a brutal post-apocalyptic world, a young girl is about to be taken to The Minotaur for a Blessing that will end her innocence. Can her sister gain access to the fortified city of Dis in time to stop the ritual and avenge her own lost youth? If you love dark short stories, download a sample or buy A THOUSAND FIENDISH ANGELS now.Ver libro
The first significant published short story of French author Guy de Maupassant, and generally acknowledged as his greatest work, "Ball-of-Fat" (French title: Boule de Suif) is the touching story of an interrupted coach ride from Rouen to Le Havre during which occurs the corruption of a principled prostitute by immoral and hypocritical members of the upper class. The story is set during the occupation of Rouen at the time of the Franco-Prussian War. (Summary by Michael Thomas Robinson)Ver libro
