Other books that might interest you

• 

  The Wild Duck

  Henrik Ibsen

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  The Wild Duck by Henrik Ibsen is a profound and emotionally charged drama that examines truth, illusion, family, and the fragile nature of human happiness. First published in 1884, this powerful play stands as one of Ibsen's most nuanced and thought-provoking works, offering a deep exploration of the consequences that arise when idealism collides with reality.
  
  At the center of the story is the Ekdal family, whose modest household is sustained not only by work and routine, but also by carefully constructed illusions. Hjalmar Ekdal, an aspiring inventor, lives with his devoted wife Gina and their young daughter Hedvig. Together they maintain a delicate balance of comfort and denial, finding meaning in dreams that shield them from harsh truths.
  
  Into this fragile world steps Gregers Werle, an idealistic reformer determined to expose what he believes to be moral corruption and deception. Driven by an uncompromising belief in absolute truth, Gregers sets out to "liberate" the Ekdal family from their comforting illusions. However, his relentless pursuit of honesty unleashes unforeseen consequences, revealing that truth, when imposed without compassion, can be as destructive as any lie.
  
  The symbolic image of the wild duck—wounded, hidden away in the family's attic, and surviving in an artificial environment—serves as a powerful metaphor for the characters themselves. Each struggles with personal wounds, buried secrets, and the tension between reality and self-deception. Ibsen masterfully weaves symbolism and psychological insight to question whether human beings can truly live without illusions.
  
  Through rich characterization and subtle dramatic tension, Ibsen challenges the audience to consider difficult questions: Is truth always liberating? Are comforting illusions necessary for survival? What is the cost of moral absolutism? The play's emotional depth and moral ambiguity make it one of the most enduring works in modern drama.
  
  The Wild Duck remains a cornerstone of world theatre, celebrated for its intricate exploration of family dynamics, idealism, sacrifice, and the vulnerability of innocence. With its haunting symbolism and timeless themes, the play continues to resonate with readers and audiences, offering a compelling meditation on the complexity of human relationships and the delicate balance between truth and mercy.

  Show book

• 

  Three Birds

  Janice Okoh

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  A startling and darkly comic drama about childhood, family and fantasy. Winner of the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting, and adapted into a BAFTA-winning six-part BBC television drama, Just Act Normal.
  Siblings Tiana, Tionne and Tanika have found themselves home alone. Tiana's keeping it all together by taking charge of housework and homework.
  But Tionne's experiments are getting stranger and Tanika's starting to act up. As the outside world begins to press in, the three will do anything to keep their secret safe from the adults who come to call.
  Janice Okoh's play Three Birds won the 2011 Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting and was first performed at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, in 2013 before transferring to the Bush Theatre, London.
  It was later adapted into a six-part television drama for BBC3, Just Act Normal. First broadcast in 2025, it won Janice Okoh the Emerging Talent: Fiction award at the 2026 BAFTA Television Craft Awards.
  'A play that is as humane as it is savage... as funny as it is alarming. It is written with as much warmth as it is with truth. It's funny and theatrical and alert and alive. It's terrific.' Simon Stephens, playwright and Chair of the Judges for the 2011 Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting

  Show book

• 

  The Odyssey - Books 9 & 10

  Homer

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  From the glittering halls of the Phaeacians to the darkest enchanted forests, Odysseus recounts his most iconic trials in Books 9 and 10 of Homer’s Odyssey. In Samuel Butler’s lucid, fast-moving prose, performed with gripping clarity by William Johnston, hear the harrowing clash with Polyphemus the Cyclops and the audacious “Nobody” ruse; the dreamy peril of the Lotus-Eaters; Aeolus’s fateful gift of the winds and the crew’s disastrous curiosity; the cannibal Laestrygonians who shatter the fleet; and the sorceress Circe, whose spellbound isle turns men to swine—until Hermes’s moly and Odysseus’s iron will break the curse.  
   
  This vivid, self-contained segment brims with momentum, danger, wit, and heart—leadership tested, loyalty strained, and homecoming deferred. Johnston’s narration captures roaring seas, monstrous fury, and the intimate ache of loss, while Butler’s translation delivers the tale with modern immediacy and classical grandeur. Whether you’re discovering Homer for the first time or revisiting a cornerstone of world literature, this performance offers an unforgettable journey through cunning, temptation, and resilience—setting the stage for the voyage to the underworld to come.

  Show book

• 

  The Love Poems of Rumi

  Nader Khalili

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Indulge in Rumi's passion with this collection of 13th century love poetry.  
  Become lost in the words of The Love Poems of Rumi. Included in this audiobook is a collection of Jalal al-Din Rumi's passionate love poems, translated by Nader Khalili. Beautifully read by Neil Shah, you'll become spiritually inspired by the words in this audiobook. Perfect for lovers, dreamers, and poets, the poems from this 13th century theologist will leave you wistfully peaceful. This audiobook was produced and published by Echo Point Books & Media, an independent bookseller in Brattleboro, Vermont. ©2015 Cal-Earth Inc. (P)

  Show book

• 

  The Creditors - A Tragedy in One...

  August Strindberg

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  When is vengeance justified? And to what extent? 
  Adolf, an artist, is having martial problems with his independent wife Tekla. Meanwhile, Gustav, his friend, attempts to get Adolf to stand up for himself and "be the man of the house." But behind all of this superficial talk is a psychological war being waged on three fronts, and each party will do nearly anything to get their desires met. The only question now, is who will be the first to fall.... 
  Join me in experiencing the first of many plays by August Strindberg this season, where we'll be exposed to various forms of existentialism, interpersonal dynamics, and the struggle for power amidst some light-hearted satire by Guy Wetmore Carryl. But for now, please, sit back, relax, and enjoy, "The Creditors."

  Show book

• 

  Poetic Odyssey

  Robin Zoé Colyn

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Robin was born in Cape Town in 2009. From an early age, it was clear she had an inquisitive mind and a deep love for animals. Whenever she saw an injured insect or animal, she would eagerly attempt to make a 'potion' to help. As a little girl, Robin developed a fascination with stones and, despite her shyness, would confidently discuss with adults how to identify different types of stones and their characteristics. Grounded and empathetic, Robin takes others' feelings to heart and has always been a natural peacemaker. Now a dynamic young poet, Robin's love for words shines through in every verse she writes. With a kind heart and an old soul, her poetry is infused with wisdom and depth beyond her years, captivating readers with its beauty and sincerity. From a young age, Robin found solace in the power of words, using poetry to express her innermost thoughts and feelings. Her first poetry book takes readers on a journey through the landscapes of her imagination, weaving vivid imagery and heartfelt emotion into a tapestry of words that resonate deeply with the soul. Each poem is a testament to Robin's extraordinary ability to capture the essence of life in all its beauty and complexity, offering readers a glimpse into the world through her unique and tender perspective.

  Show book