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  Sisters The (Unabridged)

  James Joyce

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  James Augustine Aloysius Joyce (2 February 1882 - 13 January 1941) was an Irish novelist, short story writer, poet and literary critic. He contributed to the modernist avant-garde movement and is regarded as one of the most influential and important writers of the 20th century.
  THE SISTERS: There was no hope for him this time: it was the third stroke. Night after night I had passed the house (it was vacation time) and studied the lighted square of window: and night after night I had found it lighted in the same way, faintly and evenly.

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  Oliver Twist - Full Cast Drama

  Charles Dickens

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  "Oliver Twist," one of Charles Dickens' most enduring works, unfolds a compelling narrative of an orphaned boy's struggle against the stark injustices of 19th-century London. The story begins with the birth of Oliver in a workhouse, where his mother, who has died during childbirth, is just one of many tragic figures in the heartless world of poverty and exploitation. As a young boy, Oliver faces a harsh existence in the workhouse and eventually escapes to the bustling and treacherous streets of London. 
   
  In the city, Oliver becomes entangled with a gang of juvenile delinquents led by the malevolent Fagin and his menacing associate, Bill Sikes. Despite his innocence, Oliver is drawn into a world of crime, a stark contrast to his inherently good nature. As the narrative unfolds, readers follow Oliver's journey from the dangerous underworld to the compassionate embrace of Mr. Brownlow, who offers the boy a glimpse of a better life. 
   
  The narrative of "Oliver Twist" is a tale of contrasts, highlighting the stark divisions between the privileged and the impoverished, the forces of good and evil, and the corrupting influences of society. Dickens paints a vivid picture of the injustices and suffering experienced by the poor and orphaned, while also showcasing the potential for redemption and transformation. Through Oliver's journey, the narrative ultimately conveys a message of hope, resilience, and the belief that individuals, even those born into the most dire circumstances, can find their way to a better, more just life. Dickens' storytelling in "Oliver Twist" remains a powerful reminder of the enduring struggle for social justice and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

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  A Respectable Woman - From their...

  Kate Chopin

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  Katherine O'Flaherty was born on the 8th February 1850 in St Louis, Missouri to parents of French and Irish descent. 
  At age 5, she was sent to the Sacred Heart Academy and, apart from a 2 year period at home when her father died, remained there until graduating in 1868.  Whilst there she began writing and became an avid reader of almost anything that crossed her path.   
  Kate married Oscar Chopin in 1870 and the couple moved to New Orleans, and later to the rural setting of Cloutierville, Louisiana to raise their 6 children.  
  In 1882 her husband died leaving her in a deep trench of debt.  Despite her best efforts to turn the businesses around they were sold, and she moved the family back to St Louis and the financial help of her mother.  Sadly, her mother died within the year.  Kate, now struggling with depression, pushed herself to write and gained a local reputation as a writer of short stories that captured the local color and vibrancy of her surroundings. 
  By the early 1890’s her short stories were published nationally.  With this widespread audience also came negative reviews, controversy, and cries of immorality as themes such as interracial relationships, the rights of women and other burning issues of the day were written about. 
  Despite the criticism, which unnerved her, she continued to write though in the main her works, around 100 short stories and two novels, were not attributed with any literary worth. 
  Kate Chopin died from a brain haemorrhage in St Louis Missouri on the 22nd of August 1904.  She was 54. 
  For much of the 20th Century her work was forgotten and out of print.  It was only in early 1970’s, with the rise of feminism and the call for a more just society that she was given the status her works had long described and shone a literary light at.  She is now safely revered as one of America’s great authors.

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  Notes from Underground

  Fyodor Dostoyevsky

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  Notes from Underground also translated as Notes from the Underground or Letters from the Underworld) is a novella by Fyodor Dostoevsky, first published in the journal Epoch in 1864. It is a first-person narrative in the form of a "confession": the work was originally announced by Dostoevsky in Epoch under the title "A Confession".The novella presents itself as an excerpt from the memoirs of a bitter, isolated, unnamed narrator (generally referred to by critics as the Underground Man), who is a retired civil servant living in St. Petersburg. Although the first part of the novella has the form of a monologue, the narrator's form of address to his reader is acutely dialogized. According to Mikhail Bakhtin, in the Underground Man's confession "there is literally not a single monologically firm, undissociated word". The Underground Man's every word anticipates the words of an other, with whom he enters into an obsessive internal polemic.

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  The Cask of Amontillado - A Tale...

  Edgar Allan Poe

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  The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe is a dark and unforgettable tale of revenge, pride, and psychological horror—one of the most chilling short stories in the history of American literature. 
  Set against the backdrop of Italy’s carnival season, this gothic masterpiece follows the cunning Montresor as he lures his unsuspecting victim, Fortunato, into the catacombs beneath his home with the promise of tasting a rare wine: Amontillado. What begins as a celebration of indulgence quickly descends into a terrifying descent into madness, deception, and cold-blooded vengeance. With each step deeper into the darkness, Poe masterfully builds suspense, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere thick with tension, irony, and symbolism. 
  In this enhanced audiobook edition, we begin with a thoughtful introduction that explores the story’s central themes—revenge, pride, guilt, and justice—along with a breakdown of its major characters and the symbolic elements hidden throughout the narrative. This contextual overview is perfect for both new listeners and returning fans who want a richer understanding of Poe’s work. 
  Listeners who wish to skip directly to the story may do so at any time. 
  Perfect for fans of gothic literature, classic horror, and psychological thrillers, The Cask of Amontillado is a must-listen for those drawn to stories that linger long after the final word. Whether you're a student studying Poe or a lover of dark fiction, this tale will leave you questioning the fine line between justice and cruelty. 
  Experience one of Edgar Allan Poe’s most iconic works, brought to life through atmospheric narration that captures the chilling essence of the original text.

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  The Adventure of the Speckled Band

  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

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  The Adventure of the Speckled Band is one of the 56 short Sherlock Holmes stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It is the eighth story of twelve in the collection The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Originally published in Strand Magazine in February 1892, "The Speckled Band" is a classic locked-room mystery that deals with themes of parental greed, inheritance, and freedom. Tinged with Gothic elements, it is considered by many to be one of Doyle's finest works, with the author himself calling it his best story.

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