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  The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

  Washington Irving

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  The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a short story by American author Washington Irving, contained in his collection of 34 essays and short stories entitled The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. Written while Irving was living abroad in Birmingham, England, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" was first published in 1820. Along with Irving's companion piece "Rip Van Winkle", "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is among the earliest examples of American fiction with enduring popularity.

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  Frankenstein

  Mary Shelley

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  Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a groundbreaking classic that delves into the darkest corners of human ambition and the consequences of playing god. Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant yet obsessed scientist, defies natural laws to create life itself, assembling a monstrous being from dead body parts. What follows is a chilling tale of horror, regret, and a pursuit that spans continents. 
  When Victor’s experiment succeeds, he is horrified by the creature he brings to life—a being both magnificent and terrifying. Abandoned and left to fend for itself, the creature becomes increasingly tormented by its isolation and the rejection it faces from humanity. It seeks its creator, desperate for companionship and understanding but is met only with fear and hostility. The result is a cycle of revenge that leaves a trail of tragedy in its wake. 
  Shelley’s masterpiece goes beyond mere horror; it is a deep philosophical inquiry into the nature of humanity, the quest for knowledge, and the consequences of hubris. Through its gothic atmosphere and poignant themes, Frankenstein explores questions of identity, creation, and the moral responsibilities of those who push the boundaries of science. 
  This audiobook brings to life the haunting emotions and terrifying moments that have made Frankenstein a timeless work of fiction. Perfect for fans of gothic literature, classic horror, and thought-provoking tales, this story remains as relevant today as it was when first published. 
  Start Listening to Frankenstein today, and step into the shadows of Victor Frankenstein’s ambition and the dark consequences that follow!

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  Plea for Total Abstinence A...

  Charles Dickens

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  Charles Dickens was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.
  A PLEA FOR TOTAL ABSTINENCE: One day this last Whitsuntide, at precisely eleven o'clock in the
  forenoon, there suddenly rode into the field of view commanded by the windows of my lodging an equestrian phenomenon.

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  After Twenty years - From their...

  O Henry

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  William Sydney Porter was born on 11th September 1862 in Greensboro, North Carolina. At age 3 his mother died from tuberculosis. From an early age it was clear Porter had a large appetite for reading as he absorbed the world around him. 
  He first attended at a school run by his aunt before enrolling at the Lindsey Street High School and then worked at his uncle’s drugstore and gained a pharmacists’ license in 1881.  
  A persistent cough took him to Texas in the hope that a change of climate would help his symptoms. He took on various types of work, initially from ranch hand and cook and then as varied as pharmacist, draftsman, bank teller and journalist. He also began to write, though for now, purely as a hobby. 
  He was a member of several singing and dramatic groups when he met 17 year old Athol Estes, daughter of a wealthy Austin family. Despite her mother’s objection owing to Athol’s tuberculosis, they began courting and in July 1887, they eloped and soon married. 
  Athol, impressed by his writing, encouraged him to get them published. A job as a draftsman at the Texas General Land Office paid a healthy $100 dollars per month and life was good. 
  But then life turned cruel. His son died a few hours after birth although a daughter, Margaret, came the following year.  His job had to be vacated but another was found at the First National Bank of Austin. The bank operated informally and Porter was careless in keeping the books. He lost that job but began writing for the humourous weekly The Rolling Stone and the Houston Post. Some time later the federal Bank auditors went through his former accounts and he was arrested on charges of embezzlement. 
  Porter fled the day before his trial to Honduras. Holed up for several months he began to write.  Athol had become too ill to travel to meet him and learning that her health was deteriorating he surrendered to the court in February 1897.  Bail was obtained so that he could stay with Athol during her final days.  
  Porter was sentenced to five years at the Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus. His pharmacy qualifications got him the job of night druggist.  His sentence also gave him time to write and publish fourteen short stories. In December 1899 in McClure’s Magazine he published a short story as O Henry.  
  He was released two years early in July 1901, and reunited with Margaret, now 11, in Pittsburgh.  He now began his most prolific period of writing; a short story per week for the New York World, while also publishing works in other magazines.  Eventually over 600 of his short stories were published. 
  Porter was a heavy drinker and in 1908 his health, which had deteriorated for several years, took a dramatic turn for the worse, as did his writing. 
  O Henry died of cirrhosis of the liver complicated by diabetes and an enlarged heart on 5th June 1910.<

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  War and Peace

  Leo Tolstoy

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  "War and Peace" is a monumental novel written by Russian author Leo Tolstoy, first published between 1865 and 1869. The book is set in the period of the Napoleonic Wars and offers a panoramic view of Russian society at that time. It follows the lives of five aristocratic families through the historical events of the early 19th century, including Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812. The novel explores themes of fate, free will, history, and the complexities of family and human relationships.

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  Mr Ledbetter's Vacation

  H. G. Wells

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  "Mr. Ledbetter's Vacation" by H.G. Wells is a humorous and adventurous tale of an unassuming schoolmaster thrust into unexpected chaos. Mr. Ledbetter, a mild-mannered teacher, finds himself accidentally embroiled in a series of misadventures after a seemingly innocent vacation turns into a wild escapade. Mistaken identities, comical misunderstandings, and brushes with danger ensue as he navigates unfamiliar territory. Through wit and resourcefulness, Ledbetter uncovers hidden strengths and a newfound zest for life. Wells blends satire with social commentary, exploring themes of class, freedom, and self-discovery. A delightful mix of comedy and intrigue, this story highlights the transformative power of stepping outside one’s comfort zone.

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