Publisher: Charles River Editors
Henry James (15 April 1843 28 February 1916) was a writer born in America who traveled Europe for much of his younger life before settling in England. James is best known for novels dealing with morals and psychological drama, as well as works such as The American, which is about an Americans interactions with Europeans in Europe.
Ernest Bramah (1868-1942) was an English author who wrote twenty-one books and numerous short stories. His humorous works were ranked with Jerome K. Jerome and W.W. Jacobs, his detective stories with Conan Doyle, his politico-science fiction with H.G. Wells and his supernatural stories with Algernon Blackwood."A Very Black Business' is a strange supernatural story about a musician who is driven to the point of suicide by the failure of various coal merchants to deliver a supply of fuel for his stove. But just as he is on the point of taking his own life, there is a knock at the door, and a most amiable and strangely talented coalman is standing on the mat. From this moment the tale takes on a strange twist.Show book
"West-Running Brook" is a collection of poetry by the renowned American poet Robert Frost, first published in 1928. The title poem serves as the centerpiece of the collection, with the overarching theme of the flow of time and the interconnectedness of past, present, and future. In "West-Running Brook," Frost uses the metaphor of a brook that flows contrary to the usual direction, symbolizing the poet's own journey against the current of conventional wisdom and tradition. The brook becomes a powerful symbol of resilience and individuality, as well as a reflection of the poet's own introspection and exploration of the human experience. Throughout the collection, Frost's signature style of writing in accessible yet profound language is evident. His poetry often explores themes of nature, rural life, and the complexities of human existence. With vivid imagery and keen observation, Frost invites readers to contemplate the beauty and mystery of the natural world, as well as the deeper truths and universal truths that lie beneath the surface. Among the notable poems in the collection are "Spring Pools," which reflects on the cyclical nature of life and the passage of time; "The Silken Tent," a metaphor for the delicate balance between strength and flexibility in human relationships; and "Desert Places," which explores themes of isolation and existential despair amidst the vastness of the natural world. "West-Running Brook" showcases Frost's mastery of form and language, as well as his ability to capture the complexities of the human condition with depth and nuance. Through its exploration of timeless themes and its lyrical beauty, the collection remains a testament to Frost's enduring legacy as one of America's most beloved poets.Show book
This novel depicts the fall and rise of the Primrose family, presided over by the benevolent vicar, the narrator of a fairy-tale plot of impersonation and deception, the abduction of a beautiful heroine and the machinations of an aristocratic villain. By turns comic and sentimental, the novel's popularity owes much to its recognizable depiction of domestic life and loving family relationships.Show book
Life on the Mississippi (1883) is a memoir by Mark Twain of his days as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River before the American Civil War. It is also a travel book, recounting his trip up the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Saint Paul many years after the war.Show book
Oscar Wilde upholds his reputation for literary wit from the first line of this 1887 short story: “Unless one is wealthy there is no use in being a charming fellow.” The young Hugh Erskine wants to get married, but his bride’s father declares him too poor. Dejected, Erskine gives his last coin to a beggar who is posing for a portrait. This clever story takes a turn for the better at the end, proving that kindness to strangers reaps unexpected rewards.Show book
Originally published in Harte's 1875 short-story collection The Tales of the Argonauts, How Santa Claus Came to Simpson's Bar is set in California in the early 1860s and, like the rest of the tales in that collection, features the gold-seeking Argonauts. In this tale, like many of Harte's others, the folly and grit of human existence balance any good intentions, good cheer, or hope, resulting in a more complicated and somewhat bleak ending than is commonly found in most Christmas tales. This recording of How Santa Claus Came to Simpson's Bar was recorded as part of Dreamscape's Classic Christmas Stories: A Collection of Timeless Holiday Tales.Show book
