The Flame - The Tale of Love Lust and Art in Venice

Gabriele D'Annunzio

Summary

The novel "The Flame" (Italian: Il fuoco) is set in 1883 Venice and tells the story of a young artist and his mistress, a famous actress. This novel reflects D'Annunzio's romance with Eleonora Duse, an Italian actress, rated by many as the greatest of her time. Duse was five years older than her lover, and this theme got a reflection in the novel. The protagonist of the story, an alter-ego of D'Annunzio, is a young poet Stelio Effrena, a close friend of Richard Wagner and his artistic successor. He and his lover La Foscarina come to Venice six months before Wagner's death. Both of them have inner conflicts to live through. Effrena tries to find his place as an artist, and La Foscarina suffers from the fact that her incredible beauty is aging, and thus, she will soon no longer be a muse for the great poet. The book is full of D'Annunzio's recollections on art, poetry, music and is often perceived as his artistic manifest. It also reflects the real-life rivalry between two great actresses, Eleonora Duse, and Sarah Bernhardt, who was rumored to return her presentation copy to the author unopened.

Available since: 03/08/2022.

Print length: 238 pages.

Other books that might interest you

Fly Fishing Small Streams

John Gierach

Small-stream fishing wisdom with the same insight and pungent humor that has become Gierach's trademark. Advice on tackle selecting, reading water, and scouting.

Show book

The Beacon Bike - Around England...

Edward Peppitt

The incredible story of a 3,500-mile cycle ride to explore the onshore and offshore lighthouses around the coastline of England and Wales, proving that a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis doesn't mean giving up on a lifelong dream.
The Beacon Bike is the inspirational tale of one man's quest to fulfil the promise he made to himself as a small child, nestled in the bed of an attic room while the glow of Dungeness lighthouse flashed past his window - a comforting, ever-present companion. It is also a loving tribute to the coast; not only its beautiful landscape, but also the communities that make it so special. It celebrates the generosity of spirit found in people around the the country, as well as the history of the iconic lights that brighten their world.

This journey is a testament to the joy of life's simple pleasures. A warm welcome at the end of a long day. The fire of a child's imagination, rekindled in later life. The power of a light that pierces the darkness.

Show book

Too Good to Fact Check - Flying...

Jeremy Murphy, Sophia Paulmier

A peek into the world of celebrity and how the journalists who cover them live even more outrageous lives. 
 
 
 
What happens when magazine editors behave worse than the celebrities they feature? Shock, comedy, and farce, expertly chronicled in Jeremy Murphy's Too Good to Fact Check, a firsthand account of his ten years traveling with stars as the editor of a glossy magazine. In between taking Julianna Marguiles to the Côte d'Azur, Neil Patrick Harris aboard the Orient Express, and LL Cool J to Paris among other locales, the author lived a wild, decadent life that rivaled anyone he was covering, and recounts the most outrageous moments in colorful, candid detail. 
 
 
 
Celebrities! Bar fights! Hotel bans! Airplane arrest! Fires! Singing to Mary J Blige! 
 
 
 
Too Good to Fact Check provides a fascinating look at the rarefied worlds of celebrity, fashion, magazines, and glamour through the eyes of someone who may have been blacked out. 
 
 
 
Sarcastic, dishy, self-deprecating, surprising, and fun, Too Good to Fact Check is the fall's guiltiest pleasure.

Show book

A Modest Proposal and Other...

Jonathan Swift, Various Various

Welcome to our digital audiobook collection of Irish writings, featuring three thought-provoking works by some of Ireland's greatest writers.

First up is Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal," a satirical essay that takes a darkly humorous approach to addressing the poverty and suffering of the Irish people in the 18th century. Swift proposes that the solution to the country's economic woes is for the wealthy to buy and eat the children of the poor. This shocking proposal is not meant to be taken seriously but rather to highlight the callousness of those in power towards the plight of the less fortunate.

Next, we have "The Three Wishes", a charming folk tale that has been passed down through generations. The story follows a poor woodcutter who is granted three wishes by a fairy after showing her kindness. However, each wish comes with unintended consequences, and the woodcutter must learn the value of contentment and gratitude.

Finally, we have "Law in Ireland" by Maria Edgeworth, a renowned Irish novelist and literary figure. In this essay, Edgeworth explores the legal system in Ireland and the challenges faced by those seeking justice. She draws on personal experiences and observations to offer a nuanced perspective on the flaws and strengths of the system and proposes potential solutions.

This collection offers a diverse range of works that showcase the wit, humor, and insight of Irish writers. With expert narration and immersive sound design, our digital audiobook collection brings these stories to life, making them accessible to listeners around the world.

Show book

The Alaskan Bush Baby - My...

Darcy Birchell

After eighteen years of a quaint childhood in rural Minnesota, Darcy yearned for a life beyond the confines of her small town. In 1978, an opportunity as radiant as the Land of the Midnight Sun beckoned: a chance to work and play in Melozi Hot Springs alongside her childhood best friend. Amidst the breathtaking wilderness, they forged bonds through hard work, risky business, and personal growth. 
In the perpetual daylight of June, where the sun never sets, Alaskans brace themselves for the harsh winter ahead by toiling day and night, gathering supplies and chopping wood. During an ambitious hike to the Yukon River, Darcy and her companions found themselves pursued by a grizzly bear—a perilous journey that forced them to confront the boundaries of human tenacity. 
From serving meals in the rugged hills of Fairbanks to relishing unconventional delicacies like beaver tail, and even sharing a cabin with a pet moose, their adventures epitomized the resilience and spirit of Alaska's frontier people. Each escapade etched indelible memories and forged unbreakable bonds, shaping Darcy's understanding of the Last Frontier and leaving an enduring mark on her heart.

Show book

KNOW ABOUT "EMPEROR YAO" - He...

Saurabh Singh Chauhan

This is small part of introduction of the book: Welcome, dear reader, to a journey through the annals of time, where the threads of history weave together to reveal the remarkable tale of Emperor Yao. As we embark on this adventure, we shall traverse the vast landscapes of ancient China, unearthing the legacy of a man who stands as one of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, a luminary figure whose virtues illuminated an era long past. Imagine, if you will, the distant mists of antiquity, when empires were yet to be forged, and civilizations were in their tender infancy. In this age of wonder and discovery, Emperor Yao emerged, leaving an indelible mark upon the tapestry of humanity. Our journey commences by peering through the mists of time, into the heart of ancient China. This storied land, replete with emerald valleys and winding rivers, was a cradle of culture, innovation, and aspirations. Here, amidst the rustling leaves and flowing waters, Emperor Yao's story unfurls.

Show book