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  The Autobiography of an...

  James Weldon Johnson

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  'I was not white enough to be white, nor black enough to be black.'
  
  First published anonymously in 1912, The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man became one of James Weldon Johnson's most famous works, and remains a testament to the lives and experiences of both Johnson and his peers.
  
  Although primarily a work of fiction, The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man offers many parallels with the life of Johnson himself. Set shortly after the Civil War, this powerful fictional memoir recounts the life of a biracial man, grappling with questions around identity, race and justice. Born to a Black mother and white father, our protagonist moves through different social worlds – from Black communities to elite white circles – witnessing heinous crimes against Black people and having to make the painful decision to 'pass' as white to keep safe. Deeply poignant and revolutionary for its time, The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man cements itself as a classic of American literature.
  James Weldon Johnson (1871 – 1938) was an American writer and activist. A dedicated campaigner during the civil rights movement, he was a leader of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People. His literary work is famed for championing the poems and spirituals of Black culture, and is still widely read to this day.

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  The Oblong Box

  Edgar Allan Poe

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  The Oblong Box is a horror short story by Edgar Allan Poe that first appeared in the May 1844 edition of Godey's Lady's Book about a sea voyage and a mysterious box.

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  The Lady's Maid

  Katherine Mansfield

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  "The Lady’s Maid" is a story by Katherine Mansfield: Eleven o’clock. A knock at the door... I hope I haven’t disturbed you, madam. You weren’t asleep - were you? But I’ve just given my lady her tea, and there was such a nice cup over, I thought, perhaps...

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  The Red-Headed League

  Arthur Conan Doyle

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  The Red-Headed League is one of the 56 Sherlock Holmes short stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It first appeared in The Strand Magazine in August 1891, with illustrations by Sidney Paget. Conan Doyle ranked "The Red-Headed League" second in his list of his twelve favourite Holmes stories. It is also the second of the twelve stories in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, which was published in 1892.Jabez Wilson, a London pawnbroker, comes to consult Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson. While studying this perspective client, both Holmes and Watson notice his red hair, which has a distinct flame-like hue. Wilson tells them that some weeks before, his young assistant, Vincent Spaulding, urged him to respond to a newspaper want-ad offering highly-paid work to only red-headed male applicants. The next morning, Wilson had waited in a long line of fellow red-headed men, was interviewed and was the only applicant hired, because none of the other applicants qualified; their red hair was either too dark or too bright, and did not match Wilson's unique flame color.Famous works of the author Arthur Conan Doyle's: "A Study in Scarlet", "Silver Blaze", "The Hound of the Baskervilles", "The Yellow Face", "A Scandal in Bohemia", "The Red-Headed League", A Case of Identity", "The Boscombe Valley Mystery", "The Five Orange Pips", "The Man with the Twisted Lip", "The Blue Carbuncle", "The Speckled Band", "The Engineer's Thumb", "The Noble Bachelor", "The Beryl Coronet", "The Copper Beeches" and many more.

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  At the Villa Rose

  Edward Woodley Mason

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  ""At the Villa Rose" is a captivating detective novel written by the British author A. E. W. Mason in 1910. It marks the debut of his character, Inspector Hanaud. The story unfolds against the backdrop of Aix-les-Bains, a picturesque French town.    Here's a glimpse into the intriguing plot:    The Crime: A wealthy widow named Mme Dauvray is found murdered at the Villa Rose. Her valuable jewels have vanished, and her maid, Hélène Vauquier, lies unconscious, chloroformed, and bound.  The Suspects: Suspicion falls on Mme Dauvray's young English companion, Celia Harland, who has mysteriously disappeared. Celia is in love with a fellow Englishman, Harry Wethermill, who pleads with Inspector Hanaud to prove her innocence.  Spiritualism and Deception: Mme Dauvray was fascinated by spiritualism, and Celia's role included staging séances for her. But beneath the veneer of mediumship lies trickery.  The Cunning Criminal: Enter Adèle Tacé, a seasoned criminal who arrives in Aix with the intent to steal Mme Dauvray's jewels. She goads the widow into holding a séance, where Celia is expected to perform while bound hand and foot.  The Unexpected Twist: Celia becomes a prisoner during the séance, and her life takes a dark turn. The true identity of the murderer remains shrouded in mystery.  Abduction and Pursuit: Celia is abducted and taken to Geneva, kept alive only to reveal the hidden location of the stolen jewels.  The Unraveling: As the investigation unfolds, Inspector Hanaud navigates deception, love, and betrayal to unmask the killer.  "At the Villa Rose" weaves together elements of suspense, illusion, and human frailty, making it a compelling read. The novel's success led to adaptations as a stage play and several films."

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  Middlemarch (Book 2: Old and Young)

  George Eliot

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  Middlemarch (Book 2: Old and Young), A Study of Provincial Life is a novel by English author George Eliot, the pen name of Mary Ann Evans. It appeared in eight installments (volumes) in 1871 and 1872. Set in Middlemarch, a fictional English Midlands town, from 1829 to 1832, it follows distinct, intersecting stories with many characters. Issues include the status of women, the nature of marriage, idealism, self-interest, religion, hypocrisy, political reform, and education. Leavened with comic elements, Middlemarch approaches significant historical events in a realist mode: the Reform Act 1832, early railways, and the accession of King William IV. It looks at medicine of the time and reactionary views in a settled community facing unwelcome change. Eliot began writing the two pieces that formed the novel in 1869–1870 and completed it in 1871. Initial reviews were mixed, but it is now seen widely as her best work and one of the great English novels.

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