#DarkAcademia Classics Collection - Rosa Alchemica This Side of Paradise Streets of Night Stover at Yale The Longest Journey A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man Zuleika Dobson

George Gissing, Henry Blake Fuller, F Scott itzgerald, J. M. Barrie, W. B. Yeats, E. M. Forster, R. M. Ballantyne, Max Beerbohm, James Joyce, John Dos Passos, Owen Johnson, Mrs. E. D. E. N. Southworth

Summary

Discover the timeless literary classics that helped create and define this beloved genre. In the #DarkAcademia Classics Collection, academic settings and intellectual pursuits blend with undercurrents of mystery and existential longing, weaving stories that captivate readers with their meditations on youth, identity, and the complex allure of forbidden knowledge. This genre thrives on gothic undertones, introspection, and the bittersweet tension between ambition and moral consequence—a potent mix that beckons us into hallways of libraries and classrooms, where shadows of secrets and passions abound.
F. Scott Fitzgerald's This Side of Paradise delves into the restless mind of Amory Blaine, whose experiences at Princeton reveal the excitement and heartbreak of forging an identity within elite academic circles. John Dos Passos's Streets of Night confronts youthful disillusionment in an urban university setting, exposing the clash between idealism and societal constraints. Philosopher Jack by R. M. Ballantyne takes a more adventurous approach to scholarly pursuits, following its titular character as he grapples with moral questions in exotic locales.
In Owen Johnson's Stover at Yale, we watch an impetuous student navigate the politics of a prestigious institution, torn between tradition and personal independence. Ishmael by Mrs. E.D.E.N. Southworth centers on a determined protagonist who fights against societal norms and overcomes adversity to obtain an education, demonstrating how self-discovery can be as stirring as any gothic drama. Max Beerbohm's Zuleika Dobson injects dark humor and spectacle into academia, as the enchanting Zuleika's arrival at Oxford triggers a cascade of absurd yet riveting events.
Born in Exile by George Gissing explores the anguish of class struggle and intellectual pride, revealing the darker side of ambition amid scholarly debates. E. M. Forster's The Longest Journey offers an introspective trek through academia's ideals and the yearning for authentic human connection. W. B. Yeats's Rosa Alchemica ventures into mysticism, weaving arcane lore and metaphysical intrigue into its examination of artistic and spiritual devotion.
Better Dead by J. M. Barrie is a sardonic portrayal of morality and mischief in academic circles, while Henry Blake Fuller's Bertram Cope's Year traces the entangled relationships and private dilemmas of a young literature instructor searching for acceptance and belonging. Finally, James Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man stands as a cornerstone of modernist thought, illuminating the complexities of faith, desire, and intellectual awakening.
Each novel in this collection invites you to peer behind the polished veneer of scholarly life, discovering personal entanglements, hidden truths, and revelations lurking in midnight libraries or shadowed lecture halls. The allure of Dark Academia lies in this fusion of knowledge and danger, reminding us that intellect can be both illuminating and perilous when pursued with unbridled passion.

Available since: 11/10/2024.

Print length: 2506 pages.

Other books that might interest you

Dubliners (Unabridged)

James Joyce

Dubliners is a collection of fifteen short stories by James Joyce, first published in 1914. It presents a naturalistic depiction of Irish middle class life in and around Dublin in the early years of the 20th century. The stories were written when Irish nationalism was at its peak, and a search for a national identity and purpose was raging; at a crossroads of history and culture, Ireland was jolted by various converging ideas and influences.

Show book

The Kreutzer Sonata - A Dark...

Leo Tolstoy

Can love and desire ever truly coexist without destruction?
In The Kreutzer Sonata, Leo Tolstoy presents one of his most controversial and psychologically complex works. Through the intense and confessional narrative of Pozdnyshev, a man consumed by jealousy and suspicion, the novel explores the fragile nature of marriage, the dangers of unchecked passion, and society’s distorted views on love and relationships.
After years of emotional estrangement, Pozdnyshev becomes convinced that his wife is unfaithful, leading him down a path of paranoia and despair. As his obsession grows, his inability to control his emotions drives him to commit an unthinkable act. Inspired by Tolstoy’s own moral and philosophical struggles, The Kreutzer Sonata is a scathing critique of romantic idealism, sexual passion, and the hypocrisies of social convention.
What You’ll Discover in This Modern Translation:A Harrowing Psychological Drama – Experience the raw and unsettling depths of human obsession and moral conflict.A Powerful Social and Moral Critique – Witness Tolstoy’s sharp dissection of love, marriage, and societal expectations.A Masterpiece in a Fresh, Readable Style – This modern adaptation ensures the novel’s brilliance and complexity remain accessible for contemporary audiences.A Timeless Story That Challenges and Provokes – Explore themes of jealousy, guilt, and the destructive potential of unchecked emotions.
More than just a novel, The Kreutzer Sonata is a haunting exploration of the dark side of love and the psychological forces that drive people to the edge.
Can passion and purity ever coexist, or must one always destroy the other?
Get your copy today and experience one of Tolstoy’s most gripping and thought-provoking works.

Show book

Don't Be Discouraged (Unabridged)

Booker T. Washington

Booker Taliaferro Washington (April 5, 1856 - November 14, 1915) was an American educator, author, orator, and adviser to several presidents of the United States. Between 1890 and 1915, Washington was the dominant leader in the African American community and of the contemporary black elite. Washington was from the last generation of black American leaders born into slavery and became the leading voice of the former slaves and their descendants. They were newly oppressed in the South by disenfranchisement and the Jim Crow discriminatory laws enacted in the post-Reconstruction Southern states in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
DON'T BE DISCOURAGED: Last Sunday evening I spoke to you for a few minutes regarding the importance of determining to do the right thing in every phase of your school life. There are a few things that enter into student life which, in a very large degree, cause the untrue to fall by the wayside, and which prevent students from doing their very best. Among these things is the disposition to grow discouraged. Very many people, very many students, who otherwise would succeed, who would go through school creditably, graduating with honours, have failed to succeed because they became discouraged.

Show book

Road to Oz The [The Wizard of Oz...

L. Frank Baum

With celebrations underway for Ozma of Oz’s birthday, Dorothy and Toto again venture to the magical land of Oz. Meeting Shaggy Man, Button Bright, and Polychrome along the way to the Emerald City of Oz, Dorothy and her companions must out-fox the mayor of Foxville and safely cross the Deadly Desert in time for Ozma’s birthday party.

Show book

Fall Asleep to The Wind in the...

Kenneth Grahame

Experience Kenneth Grahame's beloved classic, "The Wind in the Willows," as you drift off to sleep. This book has been edited, narrated, and produced especially to help you fall asleep. 
Narrated by Elizabeth Grace for Slumber Studios. 
Do you find yourself struggling to fall asleep? Perhaps you have insomnia or a racing mind after a long day. No matter what is keeping you up at night, soothing audio stories are one of the most effective ways to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. And that's exactly what we do at Slumber Studios. 
So close your eyes, relax, and let the soothing voice of Elizabeth Grace guide you through the whimsical adventures of Mole, Rat, Toad, and Badger. As you listen to the gentle and melodic tone of the narration, let your mind wander and immerse yourself in the charming world of these woodland creatures. Follow the friends as they embark on delightful escapades, forge lasting friendships, and discover the simple joys of life. 
Our audiobooks are expertly crafted to help you relax and drift off to sleep. Each episode is designed to instill calm, with a slower pace and soothing background music, ensuring that you will be lulled into a peaceful slumber. 
So if you're looking for a way to unwind after a long day, you've come to the right place. 
Simply press play, lay down in bed, and let Elizabeth Grace's calming voice transport you into a world of dreams. You'll wake up feeling refreshed and recharged in the morning.

Show book

The Terrible Old Man

H.P. Lovecraft

Title: The Terrible Old Man 
Author: H. P. Lovecraft 
Narrator: Jonathan Dunne 
Original Publication: 1921 
Public Domain: Yes 
Series Placement: Number 18 in the Timeless Terrors series 
Description: 
The Terrible Old Man by H. P. Lovecraft is a chilling short tale first published in 1921. In the coastal town of Kingsport, a reclusive old sailor is whispered about by townsfolk. When three thieves attempt to rob him, they discover that some men—and some houses—harbor powers both strange and deadly. Lovecraft’s story blends uncanny suspense with dark humor, creating a memorable tale of retribution and cosmic dread. 
Narrated by Amazon bestselling horror author Jonathan Dunne, this recording captures the story’s eerie atmosphere, suspense, and Lovecraft’s signature blend of the mundane with the supernatural. 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 a brief but unsettling exploration of greed, mystery, and the hidden powers that dwell in the ordinary world.

Show book