The Napoleon of Notting Hill

G. K. Chesterson

Synopsis

When dystopian futures don’t feel so future at all…   Four decades before George Orwell wrote 1984, The Napoleon of Notting Hill defined the dystopian genre. One of the first dystopian comedies, instead of a dark vision of jackboots and surveillance states, G.K. Chesterton explores the question of what a society would look like if no one could take a joke.   In this future England, each new king is decided by lottery. When Auberon Quin, a man who cares only for a good joke, is chosen to be the next king, he resolves to spend his reign teaching his fellow governors how big a joke can really be.   While most district leaders are content to put up with Auberon’s schemes even when he insists upon elaborate costumes and heraldry, one provost takes his games much too seriously. When Adam Wayne, the Provost of Notting Hill, takes a military stand against his fellow leaders and seeks to defend his tiny fiefdom by any means necessary, Auberon’s joke has gone too far.   At a time when the dystopian genre is defined by hopelessness, Chesterton’s dry wit and tongue-in-cheek humor are a welcome respite. Follow Auberon and Wayne as they ponder the meaning of humor and virtue in a world where the swords are all too real and the defense of one’s pride may well result in blood in the streets.   Foreword by Dale Ahlquist, president of the Society of G.K. Chesterton.

Disponible depuis: 18/04/2023.

Longueur d'impression: 210 pages.

D'autres livres qui pourraient vous intéresser

History of Tom Jones a Foundling...

Henry Fielding

A foundling of mysterious parentage brought up by Mr. Allworthy on his country estate, Tom Jones is deeply in love with the seemingly unattainable Sophia Western, the beautiful daughter of the neighboring squire though he sometimes succumbs to the charms of the local girls. When Tom is banished to make his own fortune and Sophia follows him to London to escape an arranged marriage, the adventure begins. A vivid Hogarthian panorama of eighteenth-century life, spiced with danger and intrigue, bawdy exuberance and good-natured authorial interjections, Tom Jones is one of the greatest and most ambitious comic novels in English literature.
BOOK 6: In our last book we have been obliged to deal pretty much with the passion of love; and in our succeeding book shall be forced to handle this subject still more largely. It may not therefore in this place be improper to apply ourselves to the examination of that modern doctrine, by which certain philosophers, among many other wonderful discoveries, pretend to have found out, that there is no such passion in the human breast.

Voir livre

Top 10 Short Stories The - The...

Fyodor Dostevesky, Mark Twain,...

Short stories have always been a sort of instant access into an author’s brain, their soul and heart. A few pages can lift our lives into locations, people and experiences with a sweep of landscape, narration, feelings and emotions that is difficult to achieve elsewhere.

In this series we try to offer up tried and trusted ‘Top Tens’ across many different themes and authors. But any anthology will immediately throw up the questions – Why that story? Why that author?

The theme itself will form the boundaries for our stories which range from well-known classics, newly told, to stories that modern times have overlooked but perfectly exemplify the theme. Throughout the volume our authors whether of instant recognition or new to you are all leviathans of literature.

Some you may disagree with but they will get you thinking; about our choices and about those you would have made. If this volume takes you on a path to discover more of these miniature masterpieces then we have all gained something.

The Century moves on decade by decade. War once again scars Europe, in America wagons roll west. Social unrest continues even as conditions improve markedly for the few and only a little for the many. The list of problems and of challenges described by our authors is long and their stories once again full of valuable and telling insights.

01 - The Top 10 - The 1870's - The Men - An Introduction
02 - Bobok by Fyodor Dostevesky
03 - A Ghost Story by Mark Twain
04 - God Sees The Truth But Waits by Leo Tolstoy
05 - Dickon the Devil by Sheridan Le Fanu
06 - The Legend of Saint Julian the Hospitaller by Gustave Flaubert
07 - A Strange Story by Ivan Turgenev
08 - A Lonely Ride by Bret Harte
09 - Coward by Vsevolod Garshin
10 - The Man Without a Body by Edward Page Mitchell
11 - The Vampire by Jan Neruda

Voir livre

Edgar Allan Poe His Best Works

Edgar Allan Poe

Poe’s stature as a major figure in world literature is based on his ingenious and profound poems, which established a highly influential rationale for the short form in poetry. Poe was also the principal forerunner of the “art for art’s sake” movement in 19th-century literature. He demonstrated a brilliant command of language and technique as well as an inspired and original imagination. Poe’s poetry greatly influenced the French Symbolists of the late 19th century, who in turn altered the direction of modern literature. Here, perhaps, is his most icon-lauded work. Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic. Poe is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and macabre. He is widely regarded as a central figure of Romanticism in the United States, and of American literature.A true audiobook treasure for Goth, Poe and horror fans everywhere!

Voir livre

A Hunger Artist - and other works

Franz Kafka, Nikolai Vasilevich...

Dive into the enigmatic world of Franz Kafka and Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol with the digital audiobook version of "A Hunger Artist and Other Works." This collection is a literary tapestry woven with three remarkable stories: "A Hunger Artist," "The Cloak," and "The Mantle." 
 
A Hunger Artist: 
Experience the haunting tale of a man who turns starvation into an art form. As the hunger artist voluntarily withers away in a cage, the story explores the blurred lines between art, sacrifice, and the quest for meaning. Kafka's narrative delves deep into the psyche of the artist, unveiling layers of existential contemplation and societal scrutiny. 
 
The Cloak: 
Gogol's satirical masterpiece, "The Cloak," takes you into the life of Akaky Akakievich, a humble civil servant whose world revolves around his worn-out cloak. When tragedy befalls him, the story becomes a poignant commentary on societal hierarchies, the absurdity of bureaucracy, and the human need for dignity. 
 
The Mantle: 
In "The Mantle," Gogol weaves a tapestry of absurdity and tragedy as the protagonist, Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin, experiences a surreal journey after acquiring a new overcoat. This tale explores themes of identity, social class, and the consequences of one's desires, blending humor with a deep exploration of the human condition.

Voir livre

Diary of a Mad Man

Guy de Maupassant

Title: The Diary of a Madman 
Author: Guy de Maupassant 
Narrator: Jonathan Dunne 
Original Publication: 1885 
Public Domain: Yes 
Series Placement: Number 14 in the Timeless Terrors series 
Description: 
The Diary of a Madman by Guy de Maupassant is a chilling study of psychological horror and the fragility of sanity. First published in 1885, it presents the private writings of a respected judge whose outward civility hides a dark descent into obsession and cruelty. 
Told through the intimate form of diary entries, the story reveals the gradual unraveling of a mind — a voice both rational and terrifyingly unhinged. Maupassant strips away the veneer of normalcy to expose the horrors lurking within the human psyche. 
This recording, narrated by Amazon bestselling horror author Jonathan Dunne, captures the eerie intimacy and creeping dread that defines Maupassant’s tale. While the text is in the public domain, this performance is an original work and copyright © 2025 Jonathan Dunne. 
This audiobook is part of Timeless Terrors, a dedicated series bringing classic horror back to life — stories from the great masters of the macabre, narrated afresh to haunt a new generation. 
Listeners should be prepared for an unsettling exploration of madness, hidden violence, and the shadows that dwell in ordinary men.

Voir livre

A Study in Scarlet - Classic...

Arthur Conan Doyle

Dr. John Watson and Sherlock Holmes meet and set up their lodgings at 221B Baker St. Over the course of several weeks, the good doctor finally persuades his mysterious roommate to reveal what exactly is his occupation. It seems that Sherlock Holmes is a self-proclaimed consulting detective. And as incredible as it sounds, the facts prove it to be true. A Study in Scarlet is the first Sherlock Holmes story/novella. Also included is the Edgar Allan Poe story: "The Murders in the Rue Morgue", generally considered the very first detective story. In this audiobook you get a firsthand glimpse into the very roots of detective fiction.

Voir livre