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  Mutable Semper - From their pens...

  Kenneth Grahame

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  Kenneth Grahame was born on 8th March 1859 in Edinburgh. 
  At age 5 his mother succumbed to puerperal fever.  His father, who had a drinking problem, now sent his 4 children to live with their grandmother at her large house in Cookham, Berkshire. Here the children lived in large open grounds next to the river.  These early experiences would in later years, be retold in his writing through a myriad of characters. 
  Grahame loved being a pupil at St Edward's School, Oxford and wanted to enroll at the university there but his guardian demurred on account of the cost. 
  Instead, a banking career was chosen for him, starting in 1879 at the Bank of England, where he rose steadily to the rank of its Secretary until retiring, with a pension, in 1908 due to ill health. 
  Alongside his commercial career Grahame had written and published various stories and essays in several periodicals. Some were anthologized as ‘Pagan Papers’ in 1893, and two years later ‘The Golden Age’ and later still ‘Dream Days’ and its masterpiece ‘The Reluctant Dragon’ became part of many home libraries.  His ability to view life through the lens of a young and curious child was superb, enabling the reader to easily identify with the character.   
  Grahame married Elspeth Thomson in 1899 and they had one child; Alastair, born semi-blind and plagued by health problems.  In a heart-rending tragedy he would later take his own life whilst attending Oxford University in 1920.   
  In 1908 Grahame reworked many of the bedtime stories he had fashioned for his son into the enduring favourite; ‘The Wind in the Willows’, describing the heart-warming adventures of Mr Toad and his friends.   
  Kenneth Grahame died in Pangbourne, Berkshire, on 6th July 1932.

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  Kashtanka

  Anton Chekhov

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  "Kashtanka" — Anton Chekov's short story about a dog with two masters — is a fable about the conundrum of the creative life.
  The dog Kashtanka belongs to a drunken carpenter who takes her out one day, but on the way home loses her in the confusion of a military parade. The story is told by an omniscient narrator who privileges Kashtanka's point of view, so we follow the dog's subsequent adventures largely from her eyes.

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  Moby Dick

  Herman Melville

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  "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville is one of the most celebrated works of fiction in the English language, a cornerstone of American literature, and an unflinching exploration of the human spirit. First published in 1851, this timeless classic has captivated generations with its daring narrative and profound themes, earning its place as a touchstone of literary excellence. 
  Whether you're new to the epic or revisiting its pages, "Moby Dick" promises an unforgettable journey across storm-tossed seas and into the hearts of its characters. Captain Ahab, with his fiery determination and unyielding obsession, stands as one of literature's most iconic figures, while Ishmael's reflective voice offers readers a lens through which to grapple with the novel's expansive questions. With its masterful blend of adventure, drama, and existential inquiry, this is a book that rewards both the curious reader and the philosophical thinker. 
  Perfect for lovers of classic literature, maritime history, or tales of relentless pursuit, "Moby Dick" remains as powerful and relevant today as when it was first penned. Join the crew of the Pequod and immerse yourself in an odyssey that will leave you awestruck, reflective, and deeply moved.

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  The Horror That Lurks Beneath -...

  H. P. Lovecraft

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  What was the ultimate fate of Harley Warren? 
  What inspired the vile paintings of Richard Upton Pickman? 
  Why was the abandoned house on Benefit Street left to rot? 
  Though Lovecraft was chiefly known for his Cthulhu Mythos stories, he penned many other tales that explore equally terrifying concepts, many involving strange, subterranean spaces, peopled by ghastly and otherworldly beings. 
  Nine of these tales of the underground are collected here, in THE HORROR THAT LURKS BENEATH. 
  The collection includes two dramatic readings: PICKMAN'S MODEL and DAGON.

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  God Sees the Truth But Waits -...

  Leo Tolstoy

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  Leo Tolstoy was born in 1828 in the Russian province of Tula to a wealthy noble family. As a child, he had private tutors but he showed little interest in any formal education. When he went to the University of Kazan in 1843 to study oriental languages and law, he left without completing his courses.  Life now was relaxed and idle but with some writing also taking place.  Gambling debts forced an abrupt change of path and he joined the army to fight in the Crimean War.  He was commended for his bravery and promoted but was appalled at the brutality and loss of life.  He recorded these and other earlier experiences in his diaries which formed the basis of several of his works. 
  In 1852 ‘Childhood’ was published to immediate success and was followed by ‘Boyhood’ and ‘Youth’. 
  His experience in the army and the horrors he witnessed resulted in ‘The Cossacks’ in 1862 and the trilogy ‘Sevastopol Tales’. After the war he travelled around Europe, visiting London and Paris and meeting such luminaries as Victor Hugo and Charles Darwin.  
  It was now that Tolstoy began his masterpiece, ‘War and Peace’. Published in 1869 it was an epic work that changed literature. He quickly followed this with ‘Anna Karenina’.  
  These successes made Tolstoy rich and helped him accomplish many of his dreams but also brought problems as he grappled with his faith and the lot of the oppressed poor. These revolutionary views became so popular that the authorities now kept him under surveillance.  
  He led a life of asceticism and vegetarianism and put his socialist ideals into practice by establishing numerous schools for the poor and food programmes. He also believed in giving away his wealth, which caused much discord with his wife.  
  His writing continued to bring forth classics such as ‘The Death of Ivan Ilyich’ and many brilliant and incisive short stories such as ‘How Much Land Does A Man Need’.  
  In 1901 Tolstoy was excommunicated from the Church and controversially deselected for the Nobel Prize for Literature. 
  Whilst undertaking a pilgrimage by train in October 1910 with his daughter Aleksandra he caught pneumonia in the nearby town of Astapovo.  Leo Tolstoy died on November 9th, 1910, he was 82.

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  Treasure Island - A Classic...

  Robert Louis Stevenson

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  A thrilling journey of pirates, buried treasure, and dangerous secrets on the high seas. 
  When young Jim Hawkins discovers a mysterious treasure map, he is swept into a perilous adventure that will change his life forever. Joined by a crew of sailors and fortune seekers, Jim sets sail for a remote island rumored to hold the hidden treasure of the infamous Captain Flint. But among the crew is the cunning and unforgettable Long John Silver—a man whose charm conceals deadly ambition. 
  Filled with mutiny, suspense, hidden gold, and unforgettable characters, Treasure Island is one of the greatest adventure stories ever written. Robert Louis Stevenson’s timeless classic helped define the modern pirate tale and continues to inspire readers and listeners across generations. 
  First published in 1883, this beloved novel combines danger, courage, betrayal, and discovery into an unforgettable voyage across stormy seas and mysterious shores. 
  Perfect for listeners who enjoy classic adventure fiction, pirate stories, nautical tales, and timeless literary classics.

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