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  A Society - From their pens to...

  Virginia Woolf

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  Adeline Virginia Woolf was born on the 25th January 1882 in South Kensington in London. 
  Although lauded as a founder of modernist writing with such classics as ‘Orlando’, ‘Mrs Dalloway’ and ‘To the Lighthouse’ and, of course, many classic short stories, her background is filled with elements of tragedy that she somehow overcame to become such a revered writer.   Her mother died when she was 13, her half-sister Stella two years later and with it her first of several nervous breakdowns.  Appallingly it was later found that three of her half-brothers had sexually abused her so darkness must have seemed ever present.   
  She began writing professionally at age 20 but her father’s death two years later brought a complete mental collapse and she was briefly institutionalised.  Somehow she found within herself a literary career and with it great innovations in writing; she was a pioneer of “stream of consciousness”.    
  Her tight circle of friends were the founders of the Bloomsbury Group, a movement whose legacy still influences across the arts and society in many way to this day.   
  Whilst the dark periods continued to interrupt her emotional state her rate of work never ceased.  Until, on 28th March 1941, Woolf put on her overcoat, filled up its pockets with stones, and walked into the River Ouse, in Lewes, East Sussex and drowned herself.  Her body was not recovered until the 18th April.  She was 59. 
  She left behind a note which read in part “Dearest, I feel certain that I am going mad again.  I feel we can't go through another of those terrible times.  And I shan't recover this time.  I begin to hear voices, and I can't concentrate.  So I am doing what seems the best thing to do”.

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  Othello | Simple Shakespeare...

  Jeanette Vigon

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  In a world where Shakespeare's intricate tales are often perceived as inaccessible, Jeanette Vigon offers a refreshing gateway into the classic story of "Othello" with her rendition in the Simple Shakespeare series. This modern retelling not only breathes new life into the tragic story of love, jealousy, and betrayal but also makes it effortlessly comprehensible for today's readers. Vigon’s adaptation retains the essence and emotional depth of the original, while presenting it in a language that speaks directly to the contemporary audience. 
  Perfect for both new enthusiasts and seasoned Shakespeare lovers seeking a different perspective, this version of "Othello" unfolds the complex dynamics between the characters in a setting that resonates with the modern-day context. Through her adept storytelling, Vigon navigates the themes of trust, deception, and the tragic consequences of misinterpretations, making the tale as relevant today as it was in Shakespeare’s time. 
  This book is an essential addition to the collection of anyone looking to dive into the rich narrative of one of Shakespeare’s most compelling tragedies, without the barriers of archaic language. Whether you're a student grappling with Shakespeare for the first time or a teacher looking for accessible literature for your class, Jeanette Vigon’s "Othello" promises a compelling and thought-provoking read that bridges the gap between past and present. 
  Experience "Othello" anew in this captivating retelling, where ancient Venice's cobblestone streets meet the relatable dialogue of today. Discover the timeless story of Othello, Desdemona, and Iago, brought vividly to life through Vigon’s masterful storytelling. Immerse yourself in a tale where each sentence is a step closer to unravelling the fate of characters who’ve never felt more real.

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  The Blue Lagoon

  H. De Vere Stacpoole

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  The Blue Lagoon is the story of two cousins, Dicky and Emmeline Lestrange, stranded on a remote island with a beautiful lagoon. As children, they are cared for by Paddy Button, a portly sailor who drinks himself to death after only two and a half years in paradise. Frightened and confused by the man's gruesome corpse, the children flee to another part of Palm Tree Island. Over a period of five years, they grow up and eventually fall in love. Sex and birth are as mysterious to them as death, but they manage to copulate instinctively and conceive a child. The birth is especially fifteen-year-old Emmeline, alone in the jungle, loses consciousness and awakes to find a baby boy on the ground near her. Naming the boy Hannah (an example of Stacpoole's penchant for gender reversals), the Lestranges live in familial bliss until they are unexpectedly expelled from their tropical Eden.

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  A midsummer's Night Dream - Full...

  William Shakespeare

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  One of William Shakespeare's most beloved and whimsical comedies. This enchanting play weaves together the stories of several groups of characters as they navigate the magical and mischievous world of the fairy kingdom and the Athenian woods. The play opens in the court of Athens, where Duke Theseus is preparing for his upcoming marriage to Hippolyta, the Queen of the Amazons. The young lovers, Hermia and Lysander, are also introduced. However, Hermia's father, Egeus, insists that she marry Demetrius, whom she does not love. 
  Faced with the choice of marrying Demetrius, facing execution, or a life of chastity in a nunnery, Hermia and Lysander plan to escape to the nearby woods. They are pursued by Demetrius, who is himself pursued by Helena, Hermia's friend, who is infatuated with him. In the forest, a group of bumbling and amateurish actors led by the comical Bottom are preparing a play for the upcoming wedding of Duke Theseus and Hippolyta. Unbeknownst to them, the forest is also home to the fairy king Oberon, his queen Titania, and their mischievous servant, Puck. 
   
  Oberon and Puck, with the help of a magic flower, create a web of love and mischief in the forest. Puck mistakenly causes both Demetrius and Lysander to fall in love with Helena, leading to comical and chaotic misunderstandings. Titania, under the influence of Oberon's magic, falls in love with Bottom, who has been given the head of an ass. As the night unfolds, the characters' romantic entanglements and conflicts are resolved. Oberon releases Titania from her enchantment, and Demetrius and Lysander are restored to their proper loves. The lovers and the amateur actors return to the court, where their antics are performed as humorous entertainment. 
   
   
   

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  CARNACKI: The Complete Collection

  William Hope Hodgson

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  Step into the world of one of the most influential paranormal investigators of the early 20th century with "CARNACKI: The Complete Collection". This definitive anthology brings together all of William Hope Hodgson’s celebrated stories featuring the brilliant, if eccentric, investigator, Thomas Carnacki. Known for his keen intellect, inventive methods, and unshakable resolve, Carnacki faces some of the most chilling and enigmatic supernatural phenomena of his time. 
  Throughout these nine tales, Carnacki is called upon to confront strange forces that defy logic and reason. Armed with his trusty scientific tools, a deep understanding of the occult, and a fearless heart, he investigates everything from spectral hauntings and ghostly apparitions to malevolent spirits and unearthly forces lurking in the shadows. 
  The first six stories were collected in the 1913 anthology, “Carnacki, the Ghost-Finder”, with the latter three appearing in an expanded collection of the same name published in 1947.

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  The Food of the Gods and How It...

  H. G. Wells

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  "In the world of the small, the large is always a monster."
  
  What happens when science outpaces morality? When two eccentric scientists, Mr. Bensington and Professor Redwood, develop "Herakleophorbia"—a substance that allows for continuous, limitless growth—they envision a world of giant livestock and abundant food. Instead, they unleash a biological revolution. From giant wasps and man-eating rats to a new generation of human "Giants" who stand forty feet tall, the world is irrevocably changed. Wells uses this fantastic premise to craft a biting satire of a society that fears progress and a moving epic about the struggle for a larger, more noble existence.
  
  The Chaos of the Small: The first half of the novel is a brilliant dark comedy. Due to the negligence of a pair of sloppy caretakers, the "Food" leaks into the English countryside, creating a nightmare of gargantuan pests. Wells meticulously describes the terror of a world where common insects and rodents become apex predators, forcing humanity to confront the dangers of its own tinkering.
  
  The War of the Worlds (Small vs. Large): As the human "Children of the Food" grow to adulthood, they find themselves outcasts in a world built for "little people." The novel shifts from science fiction to political allegory, as the "old" world, led by the populist politician Caterham (the "Jack the Giant-killer"), attempts to suppress and destroy the giants. It is a powerful meditation on the "growing pains" of civilization and the fear of the unknown.
  
  A Prophecy of the Future: Wells leaves the reader with a haunting question: Can humanity evolve fast enough to inhabit the world its science has created? The Food of the Gods is an essential read for anyone interested in the ethics of biotechnology and the eternal struggle between the status quo and the future.
  
  Witness the growth of a new world. Purchase "The Food of the Gods" today and see the world through the eyes of a giant.

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