Other books that might interest you

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  Treasure Island

  Robert Louis Stevenson

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  Jim Hawkins, the son of an innkeeper, longs for adventure. One of the inn's guests, a coarse old bully named Billy Bones, reveals a map showing the whereabouts of buried treasure. After Bones dies, Jim and his mother flee with the map to Squire John Trelawney, outwitting other pirates who were chasing Bones. With Trelawney's friend Dr. Livesey, the squire charters a schooner carrying a band of pirates led by Long John Silver. Excitement and heroic action await Jim Hawkins as he seeks to foil the pirates, find the buried gold, and bring Long John Silver to justice. This recording— a 1996 Grammy Award Nominee— captures the spirit and adventure of the classic Stevenson novel.

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  Notes from the Underground

  Fyodor Dostoevsky

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  Dostoevsky's novella " Notes from the Underground" is part embittered monologue and part brief descriptions of anecdotes from the anonymous writer's life. As the author himself states: 
  "The author of the diary and the diary itself are, of course, imaginary. Nevertheless it is clear that such persons as the writer of these notes not only may, but positively must, exist in our society, when we consider the circumstances in the midst of which our society is formed." 
  The Russia of the mid 19th century was a period in which the society was awash with a myriad of philosophical ideas as it became increasingly influenced by the West. The writer instinctively reacts against Utopian ideals and sees in himself the proof that such a philosophy is doomed.   
  Head Stories Audio presents "Notes from the Underground" by Fyodor Dostoevsky, narrated by Simon Hester. With original music.

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  Northanger Abbey

  Jane Austen

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  "Northanger Abbey," penned by the esteemed Jane Austen in the early 19th century, unfolds the tale of Catherine Morland, a spirited young woman whose upbringing is as unremarkable as her appearance. Unlike the captivating heroines of traditional romantic fiction, Catherine stands apart, her allure rooted not in conventional beauty but in her thirst for adventure and the grandiose ideals spun by the novels she so eagerly consumes. These fantastical narratives foreshadow her entrance into the bustling world of society, particularly as she embarks on a promising journey to Bath. 
  The novel begins by painting a vivid contrast between Catherine’s ordinary life and her vivid aspirations. From her earliest days, she exhibits a preference for lively pursuits over the genteel amusements typically deemed suitable for young ladies, a spirited inclination that blossoms further into her teenage years as her fascination with the romantic tales ignites her imagination.  
  Her significant adventure begins when she receives an invitation to Bath, a place she envisions as a tapestry woven with excitement, friendship, and the tantalizing possibility of romance, especially with the dashing Mr. Tilney, who captures her imagination and stirs her heart. This narrative is rich with wit, offering a sharp commentary on societal norms and the journey of self-discovery. It elegantly explores the often jarring contrast between one’s dreams and reality, inviting readers into a world that delights in satirizing the very romantic tropes it portrays. This makes "Northanger Abbey" an engaging and insightful read for anyone who cherishes character-driven stories infused with humor and depth.

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  A Rich Woman - From their pens...

  Katharine Tynan

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  Katharine Tynan was born on 23rd January 1859 into a large family in Clondalkin, County Dublin. 
  The family business was cattle rearing and the farmhouse, set with the mountains for a backdrop, was a wonderful world for a young mind to learn and imagine. 
  She was educated at the convent school, St Catherine of Sienna, in Drogheda.  A stubborn streak inhibited her ability to learn as easily as the school wished. However she did learn on her own terms and soon began to take her ‘forbidden literature’, hidden in her clothing, to her loft in a stable hideaway.  
  Until she turned seventeen nothing appeared to point to a literary career.  But some verse printed in a Dublin newspaper changed everything. It led to a sonnet being printed in the Spectator.  Thereafter the Graphic published several others and even paid a half guinea for the privilege.   
  In 1884 Katharine dispatched herself to London and made an abiding friendship in Alice Meynell.  Alice was an established poet and helped, with her husband Wilfred, to publish many poets. The following year it was arranged for the publication of her first poetry volume, ‘Louise de la Vallière’.  
  She formed valuable friendships with the poets Gerard Manley Hopkins, William Butler Yeats and later Francis Ledwidge.  
  As she gathered friends and contacts into her life her literary output began to gather pace. Katharine had begun to write prose for the Speaker and for the Scots and National Observer.  
  In 1892 she married Henry Albert Hinkson, a fellow writer and a barrister.  They moved to England and had five children although two were to tragically die in infancy.   
  By now her output was prolific and ranged from poetry to novels to short stories.  It would later include a biography and further extend to editing and reviewing.   
  In 1912 the family returned to Claremorris, County Mayo, when her husband was appointed magistrate, a post he held until his early death in 1919.     
  Tynan is sometimes grouped amongst the War Poets of the First World War. Her experience was not direct but as a Mother with one son serving in France and another in Palestine, the emotions, fears and doubts are expressed in a beautiful and heart-felt way.  
  Involved in the Irish Literary Revival, Tynan expressed concern for feminist causes, the poor, and the effects of World War I in her work. She also meditated on her Catholic faith. 
  She is said to have written over 100 novels, 12 collections of short stories, plays and many volumes of enduring poetry as well as five volumes of autobiography. 
  Katharine Tynan Hinkson died at age 72 on 2nd April 1931 in London and is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery.

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  Leda - With Exclusive Interviews

  Aldous Huxley

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  Though he gained recognition for his later essays and novels, Aldous Huxley started his writing career as a poet. Published in 1920, Leda is his fourth compilation of poetry. It begins with the passionate and slightly erotic poem "Leda", which recalls the love affair between Queen Leda, the mother of Helen of Troy, and her swan, Zeus in disguise. Some short poems follow. The book ends with two long sections. The first, "Beauty," is a short collection of vignettes where the author reflects on the concept of beauty through an ideal model of physical desire, Helen of Troy. The second, "Soles Occidere et Redire Possunt," or "Suns Can Set, and Suns Can Rise Again," is another long poem which reflects a day in the life of John Ridley, a deceased friend of Huxley's, who was mentally challenged throughout his entire life. Author Aldous Huxley was an English writer and philosopher. He wrote nearly fifty books, both novels and non-fiction works—as well as wide-ranging essays, narratives, and poems.Born into the prominent Huxley family, he graduated from Oxford, with an undergraduate degree in English literature. Early in his career, he published short stories and poetry and edited the literary magazine Oxford Poetry, before going on to publish travel writing, satire, and screenplays. Huxley spent the latter part of his life in the United States, living in Los Angeles from 1937 until his death. By the end of his life, Huxley was widely acknowledged as one of the foremost intellectuals of his time. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature nine times and was elected Companion of Literature by the Royal Society of Literature in 1962.Also includes several ultra-rare previously unheard conversations with the esteemed intellectual.Produced by Macc KayProduction Executive Avalon GiulianoICON Intern Eden Garret Giuliano©2021 Eden Garret Giuliano

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  The Nutcracker and the Mouse King

  E. T. A. Hoffman

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  *The Nutcracker and the Mouse King* by E. T. A. Hoffmann is a classic children's story written in the early 19th century. The narrative revolves around young siblings Fritz and Maria Stahlbaum, who embark on a magical and adventurous Christmas Eve. With themes of imagination, bravery, and the struggle between good and evil, the story introduces the whimsical character of the Nutcracker, who becomes a hero in an epic battle against the ruthless Mouse King. 
  At the beginning of the tale, Fritz and Maria eagerly anticipate Christmas, filled with excitement and curiosity about the gifts prepared by their mysterious Uncle Drosselmeier. As the evening unfolds with Christmas traditions and beautifully decorated gifts, the atmosphere becomes enchanting when Maria receives the Nutcracker as a present. However, the scene quickly escalates into a fantastical battle as Maria discovers that her toys come to life, leading to a dramatic conflict between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King. This captivating opening sets the tone for a story filled with fantasy, warmth, and adventure, engaging the reader's imagination and preparing them for the enchanting fairy-tale journey ahead.

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